Blessed: The Rooted and Fruited Life of Psalm 1
The Redwoods stood at attention like an army of giants all around us. We walked along their shadowy paths and craned our necks to see where their branches reached the clouds, often to no avail. There was an otherworldliness to being there like we had stepped into a Narnian realm where everything was lush, green, […]
How to Stand On Solid Ground When the Foundations Are Shaken
As a kid, I remember hearing news reports of wars and rumors of wars. Those conflicts were far removed from my life, and I naively assumed the grown-ups would figure it out. This week, like many of you, I’ve grieved over the news coming out of Israel. The headlines and images of the Hamas attack […]
Comfort For Those Who Wait in Expectant Hope
A small cloud of dust kicked up beneath his well-worn sandals as he entered the temple courtyard. Simeon’s heart raced as he moved with an urgency he hadn’t felt in years. His eyes scanned the courtyard, and then he saw them. Making their way through the crowd, the young couple carried their newborn and a […]
How to Live a Life of Holy Leisure, Even When Your Life’s Not Leisurely
There’s a not-so-secret secret to the Christian life. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s part of the answer to all your problems, and the key to your spiritual growth. When this secret is applied, even amidst great personal difficulty, you’ll experience more joy, more peace, and more victory over sin. What is this secret […]
Behind the Seen, Providence At Work for Those He Loves
Standing before the mirror, she transformed into a true beauty queen. Her maidens knew how to work magic and accentuate all her best features. They selected the King’s favorite dress, carefully applied her makeup, and tied a royal robe around her shoulders. Her long dark hair was pinned away from her face, and the finishing […]
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
The battle lines had been drawn, but the two armies were at a standstill. Israel and Judah gathered on the north side of the valley of Elah, and their long-time enemy, the Philistines, were arrayed to the south. For forty days, the Philistines taunted the armies of the living God, who showed up to battle […]
But if Not, How to Face Our Fiery Trials with Faith
Martin Luther walked into the courtroom at the Diet of Worms to defend his writings and his life. On his way into the assembly, an Army General made his way through the crowd and told Luther he was about to make a more noble stand than he or any of his captains had ever made […]
Live Like Daniel: How to Stand Firm in Faith
After a long day at work, Daniel entered his small Babylonian apartment and noticed the curtains gently floating away from the open window.
How to Hear the Still Small Voice from the Thundering God
On Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal begged and bled for their god to answer them. Leaning against a rock with his arms crossed, Elijah watched and waited. It was hard to tell if he was amused or furious with what he saw. Every so often he’d call out suggestions on how to get their […]
The Surprising Center of Noah’s Story is the Whole Point of Yours Too
In the center of the vast clearing, his magnum opus slowly took shape. Piles of logs surrounded the worksite, and hired men cut and hauled the massive timber into place. Noah made sure the blueprints he was given were precisely followed. It was a technological marvel, yet scoffers would stop and laugh at the old […]
