God, Chaos, and the Nashville Tornado
Many of us awoke on Tuesday, March 3, to news that storms had killed numerous people in middle Tennessee. Among the devastation which hit four counties was a tornado that mowed over parts of Nashville. It’s frightening enough to wake to news like that. But let’s not forget that some Tennesseans were awakened in the […]
Kobe, Shaq, & Learning from Loss
Shaquille O’Neal could teach classes on many subjects: basketball, recording artistry, investments, and sports analysis. Yet in a recent interview following the untimely death of former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant, Shaq taught a 5-minute master class on discerning what is truly valuable. On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter were among nine […]
Does Christmas Feel Different This Year?
Is Christmas painful this year? Instead of driving around and looking at Christmas lights, you’d much rather stay home and curl up in a blanket and just sleep until January 1st. Or, are you trying with all your might–by golly–and refusing to succumb to the feelings? Come hell or high water, you’re going to hang […]
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
I remember watching Mr. Rogers when I was a kid in the 80’s. I wasn’t an ardent fan, and there was something about the show that as I grew older seemed really hokey and fake to me. That was long before I became a Christian. Now my children and I throughly enjoy Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. […]
Courage in the Storm (Part 2)
For part 1, click here. Let’s review: By the end of Acts, Paul has spent two years in prison for something he didn’t do. Since he wanted to go to Rome, he appealed to Caesar. But, on his way as a prisoner to Rome, the ship wrecked near the island of Malta. After making it safely […]
The Loss of a Child and the Perpetual Comfort of Nain
There is a pain unimaginable to some . . . yet brutal reality for others. The wound? The one inflicted by the agonizing loss of a child. We grapple for comforting words, struck dumb for a response. Offering an attentive ear is likely better. Our silent presence often proves preferable. It’s then we need to […]
How Do You Remain Faithful to God When Life Has Been Terrible to You (Part 2)
How do you remain faithful to God when life has been terrible to you? First, stay connected. Second, stay focused. What do we focus on? On Christ our Savior and the price He paid. We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses but One who has experienced everything we will […]
What Happens When We Die
Recently, I prayed with two men who were dying. Both were under Hosparus Care and were barely conscious. I reminded them of 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8 where believers are encouraged not to lose heart when facing death. The Apostle Paul wrote that though outwardly we waste away, inwardly we can be rejuvenated daily. Paul advised, “So […]
