The story of Samson is a window into the nature of how God’s purposes and callings are still accomplished despite the impact of sin in a person’s life. Samson’s background is amazing. His was a miracle birth, as he was born to a woman who was unable to have children, but God intervened. Then the …
Freedom in Forgiveness
Author Max Lucado retells the story of human tragedy. “Rebecca Thompson fell twice from the Fremont Canyon Bridge. She died both times. The first fall broke her heart; the second broke her neck. She was only eighteen years of age when she and her eleven-year-old sister were abducted by a pair of hoodlums near a …
The Mounting Storm: Tension and Response
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian before and during the Nazi regime in Germany. At first, he scoffed at the idea that Hitler would ever come to power, and then when Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, Bonhoeffer did all he could to stand up to the evil that the Nazi’s were perpetrating against …
Wisdom in Chaos: When Life Comes Crashing in!
“On October 19, 1918; D. W. Sutherland, acting mayor of the city of Kelowna, B. C. created the following public notice: “Notice is hereby given that, in order to prevent the spread of Spanish Influenza, all Schools, public and private, Churches, Theatres, Moving Picture Halls, Pool Rooms and other places of amusement, and Lodge …
Hope During COVID-19
It is clear that COVID-19 is a serious and deadly global pandemic, and all necessary precautions should be taken. It is having and will continue to have significant economic ramifications in the days ahead. Still, C. S. Lewis’s words—written 72 years ago—ring with some relevance for us. Lewis was speaking of the very real threat …
Building Healthy Relationships
Cartoonist Charles Schultz was known to millions through his lovable loser, Charlie Brown. What many people don’t realize is that Schultz was a wonderful Christian, and through his cartoons drove home many biblical insights. In one cartoon script, Charlie Brown and Lucy are engaged in conversation. Lucy’s back is turned, her arms are folded, and …
Managing Your Emotions
In our broken world, painful things happen to people. What is even more tragic is how we handle the aftermath. How to handle those painful emotions. How do you handle hurt, frustration, infatuation, and anger, to name a few emotions? One thing we forget is that God not only created us with emotions, he …
Beyond Failure
Some people look for vintage vehicles and enjoy the challenge and the delight of restoring them. Why do they spend so much time and energy finding them, investing in them and repairing them? The reason is simple. These vehicles, when restored, have incredible value. We only restore what we value. So, what does God value. …
Keeping God Central in Our Lives
In the previous blog, I discussed the issue of addressing misfortune in our lives in order to move forward. Another significant issue in moving forward is addressing our own personal unfaithfulness toward God. It is an obstacle we must overcome in order to keep God central in our lives. As much as things happen to …
Dealing With Misfortune
Losses are an obstacle that either strengthens or weakens our faith in God. Can God remain central even when great losses occur? In 1 Chronicles 7:20-23, we find the story of a man who loses two sons. Ephraim’s two sons who were either watching the flocks or were a party to a raid were killed. …