Both Mark and Luke, ch’s 5 and 8 respectively, record the dramatically heartbreaking story of a man tormented by a legion of demons, living among the tombs, cutting himself, and crying out. We don’t know if the name “Legion” is literal or figurative. A Roman Legion comprised some 6000 soldiers. But what we do know … Continue reading Israel 2025 – Legion
Israel 2025 – Torture
“I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.” - Isaiah 50:6 “But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would … Continue reading Israel 2025 – Torture
Why pray? Does it make any difference?
"As soon as you began to pray an answer was given." - Daniel 9:23 "From the first day that you set your heart on understanding and humbled yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers." - Daniel 10:12 Both of these passages reside within the context of Daniel's … Continue reading Why pray? Does it make any difference?
We’re a mess; but in Christ we’re a perfect mess.
We're approaching Week 18 on our verse-by-verse adventure through the book of Genesis. So far, we've seen... Adam & Eve trusting the serpent over God; Cain's premeditated murder of Abel; the worldwide wickedness prompting the flood; the narcissism at Babel; the despicable act of Abraham lying to the Egyptian pharaoh and giving Sarah, his wife, … Continue reading We’re a mess; but in Christ we’re a perfect mess.
Can we break God’s heart?
Can we break God's heart? Apparently, we can. Through the Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, God is warning Israel of unspeakable judgment - not because he enjoys bringing judgment, but because, after warning after warning after warning, the people both refuse to listen to God as well as continue to mock him by boldly continuing their … Continue reading Can we break God’s heart?
“Sanctuary!”
The most famous scene in Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is when Quasimodo saves Esmeralda from execution, rushes her to the cathedral and cries, “Sanctuary!” What does that mean? In ancient history, up through the medieval period, when a person committed a crime, even as heinous as murder, and then ran to the church … Continue reading “Sanctuary!”
Evel Kneivel’s journey to Christ
"After all I've done, Jesus could never save me." In his book, Is God Real?, Lee Strobel shares the following story of the electrifying motorcyclist and entertainer, Evel Kneivel: "The daredevil motorcyclist Evel Knievel, a womanizer and drunkard who once went to prison for beating up a business partner with a baseball bat, was on … Continue reading Evel Kneivel’s journey to Christ
Putting Ourselves in Noah’s Shoes (Sandals)
I read once, “One of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting on God.” Genesis, chapters 6-7, tell us Noah and his family, from the time it began to rain, had to wait close to a year before they were able to leave the ark. Yes, Noah “walked faithfully with God.” But, … Continue reading Putting Ourselves in Noah’s Shoes (Sandals)
The Book of Eli
In 2010, Warner Bros. released an intriguing film, The Book of Eli, about a nomadic man (played by Denzel Washington) travelling through a dystopian land sometime in the future. IMDb describes the plot this way: A drifter fights his way across a ravaged, post-apocalyptic America while protecting a sacred book that holds the secrets to … Continue reading The Book of Eli
The Surprising Rebirth of the Belief in God – The Bible
British broadcaster, author, and speaker, Justin Brierly, has written a profoundly responsible and well-sourced book (title cited above and linked here) that will prove quite encouraging to those who believe everything mainstream social media has to say about the Christian faith. Brierley cites atheists, agnostics, and numerous skeptics both from academia and mainstream who, weary … Continue reading The Surprising Rebirth of the Belief in God – The Bible