Overview of the Old Testament
The Old Testament begins with God creating a very good world. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31a, NIV). Yet something happened after He created His highest creation: humans. God is good, and He created only good things. Yet He gave humans something good that we misused. It is […]
Sustained by a Story: An Invitation to Come, Die, and Preach
I grew up in a very hospitable home. There were always people at my house. When company would come over, all the furniture was moved out into a massive circle in the living room and there, my father would entertain dozens with his stories. I remember sneaking into the living room, leaving my friends and […]
What Do You Say When Someone Dies?
What do you say when someone dies? When things get real, it can quickly get uncomfortable. This is why a lot of us like to keep conversations light. Why we tend to back out of conversations that get heavy. Many of us would rather keep it at the level of “How you doing?” “Doing great!” […]
Near Death Experiences and Proof of the Afterlife
“I felt so blissful and whole . . . full of the most love I had ever experienced. I thought to myself, ‘If this is dying, then it’s not as bad as everyone thinks it is.’ Then I saw a light from above me. It was pulling me away from the room. I figured it […]
God Is in Control? Refining the Words of Comfort We Give
I suggest that we stop saying, “God is in control.” Now, before you get yourself into a tizzy and shout, “HERETIC!! BUUUURN HER!,” give me a chance to explain. It seems everywhere I turn, I hear Christians comforting themselves and others with the simple phrase, “God is in control.” They mean well—I know they do—but […]
Navigating the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Psalm 23 is one of the most famous passages of Scripture. You can find these poetic lines everywhere, from sermons to pop songs, tattoos to funerals. The psalm is relatable because everyone experiences pain, suffering, loss, and death. At one point or another, we inevitably ask, “How do I navigate the valley of the shadow […]
What Does the Bible Say About Cremation? A Thoughtful Exploration of a Hot Topic
What does the Bible say about cremation? The Bible includes three references to cremation, compared to hundreds of references to burial, the dominant form of post-mortem care in the Old and New Testaments. The Bible depicts the physical body as part of God’s good creation as well as something God will restore in the final […]
Grandma’s Last Amazing Grace: Reflections on How a Christian Dies
We knew the call would come but even so, it was a hard call to take. “Grandma is not doing good at all. She is struggling to breath. You should come as soon as you can.” I’m sure it was a hard call, as well, for my sister Becca to make. I told her that […]
