God Parted the Red Sea. So, What Does That Mean for Me?
Which movie does the best job portraying the panic of seeing Pharaoh’s chariots closing in before God parted the Red Sea? Let’s do a multiple choice: The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston as Moses Prince of Egypt, starring Val Kilmer as Moses Exodus: Gods and Kings, starring Christian Bale as Moses Good question. But if we’re […]
What’s the Difference Between a ‘Convicted Felon’ and a ‘Political Prisoner’?
May 31, 2024 In C.S. Lewis’s children’s book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the main characters are sailing on a mission of rescue and adventure when they think they spot land. They head toward the shore, only realizing too late they are heading into a watery abyss called “the dark island.” It’s a place […]
The Fear of All Somes: Rethinking Our Fearful Reflexes
Fear is a necessary emotion. People who backpack in isolation in the mountains should worry about running out of water. Boaters should take precautions to avoid high waves. Drivers should lock their car and remove valuables. But this does not mean that fear is virtuous and something that Christians should hide behind. The command, “Do […]
How Does Jesus Teach Disciple Makers to Conquer Fear?
I am constantly trying to learn skills and tactics to help me be a better dad, husband, writer, teacher, and how to be a better disciple maker. In my reading of Matthew 10, I came across Jesus’ teaching on how to conquer fear and immediately wanted to figure out how to put it into practice. […]
A Year of Fear & Formation
“We also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint….” (Rom. 5:3-5) I was outside constructing a duck pen when my wife, Abigail, told me she was pregnant with our fifth child. I said the right things in response, but […]
Fearing the Waves, Trusting in Jesus
I like to blame my fear of water on the 2006 film Poseidon. In the movie, a cruise ship is hit by a massive wave, and nearly everyone drowns. It’s one thing to hear about the Titanic, and it’s another to see it on the TV screen at 10 years old. But there are really […]
Good News, Good Fear, and Good Change
The good news of Jesus brings good change, and that’s not always something that leaves us feeling warm and secure. For the last decade, I have been blessed to teach my students about the life of Christ. The thing I love most about it is that every time I step away from teaching Matthew, Mark, […]
3 Ways Fear Lies to Us
Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. We all know fear; we’ve all experienced it. From the time we are young, we understand it. Whether real or imagined, fear is a part of our life on this earth. […]
