We Americans have been spoiled. For all our lives, the expectation of freedom to believe what we wanted, worship as we wanted, speak biblical truth without fear of reprisal, and be the open ‘conscience of our nation’ has been part of our social fabric. Persecution was always something I heard of behind the Iron Curtain
One hundred years ago, pundits dubbed the second decade of the century “the roaring twenties.” World War I was over, and America entered a decade of unparalleled expansion in everything from industry and technology to culture and crime. Prohibition reflected our desire to promote morality; bootlegging and a huge rise in organized crime exposed our
As we come to the end of another year (can you believe it?!), our culture is floundering. Effects of COVID (and of politicians’ attempts to control it), violent groups destroying cities (under the guise of confronting violence), and news media which most no longer believe, have undermined our traditional foundations. Our nation’s ‘soul’ already wounded
As I sit to write, we are one week from election day 2020. This is, in my perspective, the most divisive election in my lifetime. Political viewpoints are driving a wedge between co-workers, family members, and Christians – yes, support for the ‘wrong’ candidate is dividing even the body of Christ. Virtually all of
…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3.18a You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2.1 In more than three decades of ministry, I have marveled at many truths of Christianity: The wonder of prayer,
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having
We humans have been facing epidemics since time immemorial. As these global blights go, the present case – COVID-19 – isn’t close to the worst. The Black Death in the 14th century killed roughly a fourth of the humans on earth – today that would be about 2 billion people! In 1918, the year my
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12.2 Looking into the (still) future, the prophet Isaiah saw a distant day when, after long judgment for her sin, Israel is restored in a
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Having a ‘high priest’ may seem strange to you, but we have one – Jesus! That’s what the author of Hebrews is talking about in
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40 This is one of the favorite stories for children from the
