As followers of Christ, we live in a place of tension. We experience it every day. On one hand, we live in a world where there is profound brokenness – a world where sickness, death, hunger, anger, greed, and betrayal confront us every day. There are times when we have each encountered a growing senseContinue reading “Our tears will be dried”
Category Archives: Christian life
The danger of jumping to wrong conclusions
How quick so many of us can be to judge others and assume the worst of them…
Lessons learned on the lake
(Based on Mark 6:45-52) “Just whose idea was this anyway?” John sat back for a moment, raising the oars out of the water as another large wave crashed against the boat. “Just keep rowing,” snapped Peter. “Every time you stop for a breather, the wind pushes us back towards where we came from!” “I stillContinue reading “Lessons learned on the lake”
Treasure in Jars of Clay
Is there a time when you have felt completely inadequate for a task you were called to do? I have. As I look back at times in my life when I have taken on a new role or new responsibilities, a sense of inadequacy has often overwhelmed me. After all, I want to do aContinue reading “Treasure in Jars of Clay”
Where is God when life is painful?
We live in an uncertain, volatile, and fragile world. Pain and suffering is rampant. These times may cause us to cry out, “Where are you, God?”
Finding rest
Do not fret over those wrongs done to you by others. Let go of that lingering anger and resentment. Release your pain and hurt to the Holy One, for you can fully trust Him. True safety, and healing, is found in His presence. Choose to do what is right. Delight yourself in the Lord, andContinue reading “Finding rest”
The gift of lament
Lament is not giving in to despair. It is not withdrawing and becoming silent as the storm rages around us. Instead it is a bold demonstration of our faith as we recognize who God is and express our resolve to draw closer to Him rather than pull away.
How will they know…?
I wonder if the disciples even managed to find time to catch their breath in the days following Jesus’ ascension. The opening chapters of Acts provide something of a roller coaster narrative as the Holy Spirit makes his sudden, powerful appearance, paving the way for Peter to declare the gospel message to crowds of people,Continue reading “How will they know…?”
What are you grateful for today?
“Everything looks hopeless these days”. The young man being interviewed on the television news grimaced and shrugged his shoulders. “When is it all going to end?” he mused. As a pandemic sweeps the world, as friends and relatives fight for their lives, as the death toll rises, as businesses and nonprofits collapse, as people loseContinue reading “What are you grateful for today?”
Expecting the Unexpected
Sometimes God appears to us in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, giving us unexpected tasks that yield unexpected results. Imagine the scene. Dawn is just beginning to appear on the horizon. The darkness is fading as the fishing boat drifts closer towards the shoreline. I imagine that it was fairly quiet on that boat. ThereContinue reading “Expecting the Unexpected”
Matt Parker 