It was the ultimate test of faith. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much . . . and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Genesis 22:1–2) God’s words pound against our ears like […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Christian Living
Ya Gotta Have Heart!
Getting a big job done calls for heart. Having a high IQ is not essential. Neither is being a certain age. Or possessing a particular temperament. You don’t even need the backing of the majority. History books are full of incredible stories of men and women who accomplished remarkable feats in the face of unbelievable […]
Read MoreWords
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” Every child knows that’s not true. And as we get older, the more we realise just how untrue it is. James got it spot on in chapter 3:1-12, when he described how an object as small as our tongue has such enormous […]
Read MoreWhat Journaling Can Do for You
In 1957 as I was packing to head overseas to serve in the Marine Corps, my brother tossed me a book. It was titled Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot. Reluctantly, I took the volume. Once I started it, however, I couldn’t put it down. The best parts of the book were the journal […]
Read MoreWhat God Wants from You
The New Year is only one month old, and already the pressures of life have returned. Sixty-hour workweeks. Razor-thin balances in the chequebook every month. Children and/or grandchildren who call for unending, boundless bursts of energy. Sound familiar? As we peer into the pages of the Bible, tucked away toward the end of the Old […]
Read MoreWhat Did They Think They Were Doing?
When people listened to the prophets of the Old Testament, things went well. When the prophets were disregarded, ignored, or even done away with, things went badly wrong. That much seems to make sense. But if you track the spiritual trajectory of the nation of Israel, it’s like that of a schoolboy’s paper aeroplane – […]
Read MoreUpholding the Family Reputation
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. These words from John’s first letter to the church make a very plain point. We become part of a new family when we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Not a hobby […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Our Troubled Times
Don’t you sometimes just shake your head and wonder, What on earth is happening in the world? Over the course of my lifetime, I have witnessed numerous changes in the broader culture. Unfortunately, not all have been for good. If Christians hope to make an impact in this world, it’s imperative that we first understand […]
Read MoreTurning It Around
I have had the privilege of solemnising a wedding in Scotland. What a delight! The skirl of the pipes, the crisp northern air, friendly and hospitable people, and of course, the giddy enthusiasm of newlyweds on their great day. In one of the few quiet moments that weekend I remembered watching the New Year’s TV […]
Read MoreTransformed!
When my children were little, a new kind of toy hit the market. A car or a lorry or some other vehicle that could – with a few deft twists – be transformed into a robot or a plane or a rocket-ship. What fun! Except that only six-year-olds could work them. The kids would sigh […]
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