What we don’t know can kill us, and that’s why we need help from God, who knows all things. Confident he could fix anything, an intelligent handyman crawled under the...
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Matt listened intently while Miss Julia waved her arms as if she had visited the world she described. “Adam saw the animals,” she said, “and gave them names. In the...
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We read about Zacchaeus in the Bible. People liked Zacchaeus about as much as we would be delighted to see an IRS agent for a tax audit. But was he...
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A thin line separates fame from being an object of ridicule. Is it possible to turn our reasons for embarrassment into something to be admired? I was the oldest grandchild....
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The typical recited line from The Lord’s Prayer is “lead us not into temptation.” Is God a controlling force in whether people are tempted to do evil? The difference between...
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For years at work during lunch, I played double-deck military-style pinochle with the same three men. All were strong Christians. One day, I let it slip that I was praying...
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Did Jesus say all I had to do was knock and the door would open? Supposedly, all we have to do is ask. I’d like to quote James 4:2, which...
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Story books picture David as a child when he faced Goliath. Is that fable or fact? David was the youngest of eight sons. He was too insignificant to be considered...
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Based on scientific fact, the biblical story of Jonah reads like a fairy tale. Could it possibly be true? To be thrown into the sea, Jonah had to beat the...
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When the days get really hot, why do people call them “the dog days of summer”? Perhaps this term is no longer appropriate. We don’t want to offend the dogs...
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The forecast called for temperatures in the mid-twenties and freezing rain. Most people would be smart enough to stay home. “Drive carefully. The life you save may be your own.”...
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God has a sense of humor. We should know that since we were made in his image, and we love to laugh. God has a funny way of speaking to...
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How do we decide which laws to obey and which laws to ignore? The Jewish Law includes more than The Ten Commandments. Honoring parents and having no other gods sounds...
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Sometimes I hear people say all I have to do is believe and my dreams will be fulfilled. Is that true? No amount of believing can make the impossible possible....
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That question was posed in The Field of Dreams movie in 1989, starring Kevin Costner. An Iowa farmer hears a mysterious voice in the cornfield saying, If you build it,...
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I sometimes hear people talk about Satan as the “prince and power of the air,” having dominion on Earth. Supposedly, he’s present everywhere and not only knows our thoughts but...
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As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. — Proverbs 27:17 NIV Have you ever tried rubbing the edges of two table knives together? The edges won’t sharpen. What’s...
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I once heard a story about twin sons of a drunken bum. One became a highly successful businessman, an elder in the church, admired by all who knew him. The...
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Before I started kindergarten, I was taught how to use a knife. While my friends were using blunt-nose scissors, I had a sharp pocket knife that could whittle a stick...
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Years ago, I led a writer’s group that met in a Christian bookstore. When I drove up for the meeting, I felt lucky to find a place to park. Store...
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Our High Priest is easily touched with the feeling of our infirmities, because he was tested in every area just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, we can boldly...
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Those who believe seem ignorant to those who don't believe. Why do we think the world is round? What a stupid question. Since kindergarten, we’ve seen globes and pictures proving...
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The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty...
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Graduating high school seniors remember very few events earlier than ten years ago. They can’t imagine what life would be like without cell phones and video games. I’m old enough...
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I sometimes hear a person say, “Iron sharpens iron,” to encourage men to get together more often. Supposedly, we can improve our character just by rubbing elbows. Is that true?...
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Make good on your commitment to the Lord by preparing to share your experiences with those who might not understand how you have survived your struggles. Always be ready to...
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He went about a stone's throw away, knelt, and prayed. “My Father, if you are willing, let me escape this suffering. Nevertheless, I want your will, not mine.” — Luke...
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I will always be with you, even until the end of the world. — Matthew 28:20 All the rungs of a ladder are important if you want to get to...
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“Because evil will flourish, most people's love will grow cold. But those who remain faithful until the end will be saved.” — Matthew 24:12–13 Most Christians see a few Scripture...
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“Woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?” “No one, sir.” “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” — John 8:10–11 If...
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“Do not store up treasure for yourselves on Earth, where moths and rust can eat it up and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store your treasure in Heaven, where...
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“If you forgive others for the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.” — Matthew...
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“If anyone publicly acknowledges me before men, I will publicly acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven. But anyone who denies me before men I will deny before my Father...
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“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19 Right after John the Baptizer identified the Messiah, Simon Peter met Jesus for the...
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“But the second commandment is equally important. Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:39 Everything Jesus said is important, but which words are most important? Based on his story...
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You must love God with your whole heart, with all your being and all your strength. — Matthew 22:37 As I consider some of Jesus’ more popular and not-so-popular sayings,...
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I praise you, Lord, because of the awesome, unique way that you created me. You did wonderfully well, and my whole being knows and declares this truth. — Psalm 139:14...
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When I was in the third grade, I had a best friend at church. We ran and played together. Not inside the church, of course. Back then, we had no...
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“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” That saying has been around for a long time, dating back to at least the late 1800s. It says that beauty varies...
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In an evening Bible study, the topic turned to faith and prayer and what we can do to gain God’s favor. The leader said, “Doesn’t God help those who help...
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If I paused long enough to think about what God has given to me, I should be overwhelmed with gratitude. Unfortunately, my focus on what I don’t have can easily...
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Maya Angelou, bestselling author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, says, “By the time we are three or four years old, someone has knocked creativity out of us.”...
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When I was a kid, Santa came to our house, which was the most fun when my grandparents were there. After I was married, gifts were piled around the tree...
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In late November, usually a weekend just before Thanksgiving, I get to hang Christmas lights on the roof line. At my age, why do I do that? Maybe I want...
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When I was in the third grade, my dad was among the preachers who didn’t make much money. With Christmas approaching, he often said I’d be getting a bundle of...
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As It Might Have Happened in the Old West By Frank Ball For many families, reading the nativity story at Christmas is a family tradition. Here’s how it might be...
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Every morning, I spend an hour with the Lord, but not for any religious reason. That is, it’s not a liturgy. I just enjoy the time spent one-on-one, and I...
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Since the Thanksgiving holiday is only a week away, it’s past time to plan where you will be and what you will do. Airplane will be packed with people leaving...
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In the 1960s, we loved the Peanuts characters. Charlie Brown had a memorable Christmas, Lucy played on Charlie’s baseball team, and Linus always had his blanket. As a pilot, Snoopy had numerous airfield battles with the Red Baron. But other important people have been named Charlie Brown.
