A viral YouTube video shows a group of black residents from the south side of Chicago discussing the loss of social services for the city’s poor because of the influx of illegal immigrants. A woman stands to condemn the situation and suggest that immigrants should be sent home. A moderator (a black man) asks her,
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13.3) Living in a world of disease, famine, persecution, and war, it’s often hard to comprehend the depth of misery. Complicating our perception
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4.4 We’ve all said it or heard it a hundred times: “Happy New Year!” It’s a seasonal greeting, a way of acknowledging that according to the Gregorian calendar, we’ve just begun a new numbered year – in this case, 2024. But for most of
Hugh Martin wrote “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for Judy Garland to sing in the 1944 film Meet Me in St Louis. It wasn’t a happy time. The fate of the world hung in the balance: World War II raged in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Millions were dying in Nazi death camps.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! The Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 5.20) The Apostle Paul prophetically wrote that “in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Tim. 3.1). He goes on to
A few weeks ago a congregation of more than 300 gathered for a church service in Germany – with a twist. The service was AI-generated; the sermon was written by ChatGPT, and delivered by a virtual avatar. Of course, a computer can’t do anything on its own: 29 year-old theologian Jonas Simmerlein from the University
God gives his gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them. C.S. Lewis And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12.9a Self-sufficiency is a dangerous thing, because it is a deceptive thing. We have made idols out of independence,
Years ago I was driving through a rural area when I came upon a country church. I don’t recall the name of the church, but it sounded good – perhaps something like “Grace Bible Church.” As a pastor of a church in a town less than an hour away, I wondered if this church and
On every hand the foe we find, drawn up in dread array; Let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray! Salvation’s helmet on each head, with truth all girt about, The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread, and echo with our shout. Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh,
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And clever in their own sight! Isaiah 5.20-21 The children’s story entitled The Emperor’s New Clothes is a humorous
