Category: Life Issues
When Sexual Sin Stalks You
We live in a society that has become a cesspool of sexual filth. But sexual immorality is not only pervasive in our culture, it is present in the church. If anger has slain its thousands among believers, then sexual sin has slain its tens of thousands....
Strength for the Hard Thing: That’s Daddy!
Perhaps you’ve been there — all alone, maybe even afraid. The outlook seems so bleak, the path forward so dark and uncertain. Suddenly, somebody comes along and just their presence brightens the path ahead and gives you strength. Such relief! Joshua was faced with an overwhelming...
Three Encouraging Truths About Suffering and Glory
If you are a Christian, you need not fear or dread suffering. In fact, when suffering is one day viewed from the perspective of your future in eternal glory, you will be thankful for it. Please don’t misunderstand. No one enjoys suffering, or seeks out suffering,...
J. C. Penney: A Life of Integrity
At the age of 22, James Cash Penney (1875-1971) worked as a clerk for a “Golden Rule” store. His honesty and work ethic led the owners to eventually offer him a partnership, and he opened his own store. James was so successful that he bought out...
“He Cannot Be My Disciple”: Jesus’ Conditions for Following Him
I recently traveled across the country to attend an international conference for the association that our local church is part of. When I arrived at the rental agency, they presented me with certain terms and conditions for my contract. I needed to be at least 25...
Understanding Suffering: Insights from Job
Where does suffering come from? Doesn’t God promise to protect us from suffering? The Book of Job provides divine wisdom meant to help us wrestle with these difficult questions by exploring the moral complexities of one godly man’s suffering. Here are five observations from Job’s suffering...
The Best Conversation I Ever Had
I am surprised that after so many decades I still remember one remarkable conversation as the best I’ve ever had outside of my immediate family. I’ve often reflected on it with amazement. A cousin by marriage met me in a restaurant in a suburb outside of...
The Christian’s Marital Conflict Resolution Triangle, Part 2
Remember the “triangular” conflict resolution strategy we are discussing in this four-part series, with the three equally important sides being truth, humility, and love. In Part 1 we began discussing the first side of the triangle — truth — with two points: First, marriage must be...
His Father and Ours
We probably all have a story of accidentally leaving a child behind somewhere. Maybe you arrived home from church with one less child. I once knew a guy who left his wife behind at a rest stop. Accidentally. When twelve-year-old Jesus was left behind at the...
Learning From Job: How We Should Think About Suffering
“Just as sure as sparks fly upward, likewise man is born for trouble” (Job 5:7). All of us are either coming out of a trial, in the midst of a trial, or will soon be going into a trial. When suffering comes, where will we find...
