Refreshing Faith
The South proclaims the resurrection in panoramic color. But before spring we endured the dead of winter, and there would be no Easter without Good Friday.
When I was little, I asked my mother why the day Jesus died was called “Good Friday.” I couldn’t understand why the day Jesus suffered crucifixion would be called “good.”
An old BC cartoon by Johnny Hart captured the essence with something like this:Continue Reading
Today Larry shows us how to profit from sorrow….
Do you have sorrow in your life? Have you lost someone or something important to you? Do you have regrets over choices you’ve made or the person you’ve become? The Bible says sorrow is a painful yet profitable part of life. How can we profit from our pain?
It’s not immature, weak, or unspiritual to be sorrowful. Jesus was a man of sorrows (Is. 53:3). Running from it or denying it causes us to miss the treasures God can bring from it. The Bible says, “sorrow is better than laughter” (Eccl. 7:3 NASB), and “the heart of the wise is in the house of sorrow, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure” (Eccl. 7:4 ESV).
I want to be encouraging and see the best so when I encountered a season of sorrow during my time in seminary I was in an unfamiliar place. As I was honest with myself, Debbie, and God I entered a place to experience real comfort.Continue Reading
“I believe, but I don’t feel close to God like some of you. Not sure why. I’d like to.”
My friend’s words caused me to think of my own faith journey.
In Sunday School my young heart warmed toward God when I heard the stories of David and Goliath and Zacchaeus, the wee little man. My grandmother made sure I treated God with respect. No food in my mouth when we blessed our meal.
But I’d never thought of myself as a sinner in need of saving. I wasn’t even sure what people were saved from. At youth camp that changed when a youth leader explained John 3:16.Continue Reading
When a fictional protagonist acts out of character, I know I lack the full picture. Yet, when the actions—or lack thereof—of someone I love injure me, I’m offended. They should know better.
Why do I give made-up characters slack and assume the worst about those I know well? I’m not alone in this. Many of us do it with God.
The actions of a TV character don’t affect us. But we feel the effect of a careless word or action. And since these people know us, shouldn’t they know how their choices will affect us? Our hurt feelings squelch reason, and we forget what we know to be true.
God’s sovereignty is a topic that stirs such emotions. It brings great comfort to some to know God has supreme power. We know if God allows something, no matter how wrong it appears, He is working behind the scenes for a greater good. But for those suffering a terrible loss or injustice, the topic causes confusion.
If God has the power to stop wrong, why does He allow it? If God foreknew the drunk driver would be on the road, why didn’t he delay your child’s bus trip? Why would He waste your time and money on a mystery illness if He could heal it?Continue Reading