What’s really important in life? What are the goals you set for yourself, for your children? Do these goals center on things like grades, good jobs, a sound financial position, a comfortable house, personal accomplishments, a secure retirement? These all have their upside. But they all miss the mark of what is most important in life. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were playing tag team against Jesus. In one particular go-around the Sadducees had failed get the upper hand. Now it was the Pharisees turn to entrap him. The stakes in this game were high — the life of Jesus. A clever Pharisee made the next attempt. In a tone of mock deference, he asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest […]
Monthly Archives: July 2016
27 posts
One morning a young man awoke more tired than he when he had gone to bed. He was totally stressed about the problems facing his country. The politicians ignored God. The leaders despised God’s law. He dreamed about the bad things that might happen. He had tossed and turned all night. To make matters worse, the major candidates offered him no hope. The more he watched his news feed and his favorite cable news network the more discouraged he had become. In discouragement he drove by his church. Sure enough, his pastor was in, so he stopped, hoping to grab a few minutes with him. “Hey Brian, how are you?” “Kind of discouraged, pastor. It seems like things are going […]
Psalms 111 and 112 both focus on the fear of the Lord. Both psalms have the same acrostic poetic structure. Therefore, it is important to see the connection between the end of Psalm 111 and the beginning of Psalm 112. The end of 111 says that the fear for Lord brings wisdom and the beginning of 112 says the fear of the Lord brings joy or happiness. Wisdom and joy are two good things that you want for your children! The Psalms are built on one great foundational truth: God rules over the earth. Blessed or joyful is the man turns away from the world and delights in the law of God. The appropriate fear of God must always come […]
Noah: A Journal of Praise Featured in World Magazine Ganz imagines Noah keeping a journal into which she invites her readers: “Let’s pretend that we are reading some pages from Noah’s journal.” The beautifully illustrated journal begins on the day Noah enters the ark for the last time before the flood: “I was thankful that our God himself shut the door of the ark. Would I have the strength to do it?” Noah writes about the ark’s sounds and smells, his fear, and the attributes of God to which he clings. The book depicts the reality of God’s judgement and shows Noah offering praise for his goodness and mercy. (Ages 8-12) World Magazine August 6, 2016 To learn more, click […]
“Whatever you need, I’ve got your back!” Sounds like the words of a true friend, someone who will do anything for you. If you are discouraged, this friend will find the bright side. If there is something you want, this friend will help you get it. If there is a dispute with someone, this friend will always be on your side. This friend always has something good to say about you and never gives you a hard time. This friend is someone you can trust. Maybe not. “Friends” who will always do what you need may not really be your friend. Instead, whatever good they do for you comes with a hidden price. The apparent selflessness may be a cover […]
Turmoil is a part of life. The headlines and news alerts produce a steady flow uncertainty and events to worry about. Personal relationships can bring a daily dose of drama. Disappointment is common. All too often the question, “where is God in all of this?”, creeps into our thoughts. Thankfully, this is not all there is to life. Underneath and around the turmoil something more compelling and more sure is at work. Psalm 62 takes you back to the place of safety and security. King David’s life was full of strife, attack and turmoil. But, David’s security is that safety is found not in changing circumstances but in his unchanging God. Because his God is his life’s constant, he is […]
Absalom projected the image of power and intimidation. He was angry, arrogant, proud, self-assured and had the presence of a rock star. He was consumed with his appearance to the point of obsession. But inside he was hurting. He had no answer for the pain in his heart due to the rape of his sister. He had no comfort for the lack of relationship with his father, King David. He had no confidence in the loving-kindness of God; rather, he was convinced he had to make his own way in this world. Absalom used the images of power, good looks, arrogance, and popularity to secure what he thought he wanted. But none of those brought satisfaction. Underneath, he was weak […]
I have had numerous conversations with young parents who expressed the fear of raising young hypocrites. They fear that since they have taught their children appropriate behavior, they will rear well-behaved children who do not sense their need for grace. Much of what we have written in this book will help you avoid this problem. Hypocrisy is greatest in homes where the emphasis has been on behavior rather than the heart. If the focus of discipline and correction is on ways the behavior has strayed and on how behavior must change, you will miss the heart. That approach makes the problem what I do, rather than what I am. According to the Bible, the problem we have is too profound […]
“What’s wrong with that? Doing that never hurt me!” This question has become the standard for determining whether something is acceptable. If one can’t see anything wrong with doing something, then it must be okay. Families lead busy, hectic lives. Decisions about what should or shouldn’t be done are often made on the run. For example, a decision about which video to watch tonight might be asked and answered via texts between a doctor’s appointment and an after school soccer match. The criteria most likely will be, “Is there anything wrong or bad about the movie?” No one seems to recall anything bad about this one, so the decision is made. However, there is a more important question to be […]
The political convention season is upon us. Every four years our two major political parties gather to nominate a presidential candidate. Promises are made. Hopes are raised. Solutions are offered. The throng of delegates cheer on their nominee. America’s future will be only be safe with a victory. And if the other side should win, four years of disaster are inevitable. The conventions end and the electoral dance begins. The hope of the country is said to ride on the outcome. Is it any wonder disillusion rules no matter who wins? The truth is the conventions promise what they cannot deliver. Try is as we might, the race of man cannot save humanity from itself. What the party platforms fail […]