  Above painting: The Last Supper by Danish painter Carl Bloch (1834-1890), depicting Judas leaving early (John 13:21-30) ——————-       (…continued) There is also a second, deeper way to understand this question of the disciples. And this part that we can readily apply to ourselves.            The proud and foolish […]
1815) “Is It I, Lord?” (part two of three) Read More »
Maundy Thursday sermon, March 29, 2018. ———————————- Matthew 26:20-28 —  When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”  They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”  Jesus
1814) “Is It I, Lord?” (part one of three) Read More »
Above: Rachael Denhollander, the first to publicly accuse Larry Nassar ————– “Rachel Denhollander and the Gospel of Costly Grace: Naming Evil, Extending Forgiveness” by John Stonestreet with Stan Guthrie, February 2, 2018, at: http://www.breakpoint.org ————————————    It was the most amazing courtroom testimony I’ve ever heard…    Years ago, Rachael Denhollander was a
1760) Law and Gospel in the Courtroom Read More »
“The God of Do-overs” by Lee Strobel, in Investigating the Faith, January 20, 2018, at http://www.biblegateway.com    Some people need a do-over from God because guilt has been squeezing the hope out of their lives. That was the case with a woman who wrote to me about the turbulence in her life. She explained
1747) God Allows ‘Do-overs’ Read More »
By Joshua Rogers, at http://www.joshuarogers.com, March 3, 2017. Rogers is a writer, speaker, and attorney who lives in Washington, D.C. ——————————-    I did not enjoy going to church last Sunday.    I took my three kids the service by myself because my wife wasn’t feeling well. The journey started out well enough — we
1727) Painful Apologies by Imperfect Parents Read More »
“Truth, Grace, and My Father’s Conversion at Age 84,” by Randy Alcorn, posted August 1, 2012 at: http://www.epm.org    My father was the most resistant person to the gospel I’ve ever known. He warned me never to talk to him again about “that religious stuff.”    At age eighty-four, Dad was diagnosed with terminal
1708) The Whole Truth Read More »
Two more stories of our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, posted at:Â http://www.opendoors.org ————————— STEADFAST TO THE END The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. –1 Peter 5:10 Â
1671) Praying for Enemies Read More »
   There have been a number of books written about U2 and their iconic frontman, Bono, arguably the world’s most famous rock star.  But not till now has Bono himself come out to tell his own story.  In the book, Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas (Riverhead Books, © 2005), the rocker shares his
1665) Bono on Grace and Karma Read More »
By Rick Warren at: http://www.pastorrick.com ———————–    God’s number one characteristic in the Bible isn’t his sovereignty, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, anger, or justice.    It’s his mercy.    The world often wants to portray God as someone who is completely focused upon judgment. But God describes himself first and foremost as a
1633) The Mercy of God Read More »
By Rick Warren, Daily Hope meditation, July 11, 2017, at:  www.pastorrick.com/devotional ————————–    There’s a lot of faulty thinking about forgiveness.  The act of forgiveness gets watered down.  It gets abused.  It gets cheapened.    What is forgiveness really?  Take a quick test by answering “true” or “false” to the following statements: 1.  Â
1556) Forgiveness is Not… Read More »
