Once in a while the attention of the whole world is focussed on an act of salvation. That is what has been happening in these days when in Thailand 12 boys on a soccer team and their coach are being rescued from a deep dark place in the middle of a cave system. The story […]
Rescue in Thailand, Rescue for Us All Read More »
Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. Leviticus 25:10 If you go to the city of Philadelphia today, you can visit a historic eighteenth-century building which contains a room called Independence Hall. This ordinary room was the place where, on July 4, 1776, men signed the Declaration of
The Sound of Freedom Read More »
Here are a few basic principles of the interpretation of Scripture. If followed, we will get out of the Bible what God put into it, which is the only thing we should be interested in. If we want to read into Scripture our own preconceived opinions, then we might as well be using a novel
Basics of Bible Interpretation Read More »
You shall have no other gods before me. This is how the Ten Commandments begin. We may not always realize what a radical notion that is. In most periods of history people groups around the world assume that there are multiple deities. But the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made it clear that he
The Ten Commandments and Our Relationship with God Read More »
Do you believe in the value of the Ten Commandments? Yes. Do you follow the Ten Commandments? Well… I try my best. How many of the Ten Commandments can you name? (Blank stare.) That is a conversation that might unfold almost anywhere. There are few statements of life principle that have the historic influence of
What Are the Ten Commandments? Read More »
[Special Note: Easter is April 1. Available now, the Easter devotional, KNOWING HIM. Get it now, start 3 weeks of daily readings on Sunday, March 11. The life and teachings of Jesus are worth a lifetime of study, contemplation, and application. So too his death and resurrection. Jesus made it very clear that he had a purpose
Developing Discernment Read More »
If you had a really difficult decision to make today that was complicated and would affect the rest of your life, what kind of person would you go to for advice? You’d be smart if you sought out one or more people whom you know to have a lot of wisdom—and you yourself would be
Some years back, I did a survey of our church’s congregation with the simple question: “If you could ask God one thing, what would it be?” I was not surprised that the most frequent response had to do with the problem of evil in the world, but I was struck by the next most common
How Can We Hear God’s Voice in Scripture? Read More »
We live in an age of information overload. Bombarded by messages on radio and television, billboards and magazine ads, phone mail, email, text messages, Facebook, and Twitter, each of our days is like crossing a river with a strong and unpredictable current. Shut your eyes and just think for a moment how many voices and
Going Deeper in an Age of Information Overload Read More »
Occasionally someone will say, because they have heard compelling things about Eva, “I wish I had known her.” I always choke up. It honors her, and us. And I think, I so wish there was more time for that to happen. Today, January 16, is the day Eva entered the world at Elmbrook Hospital, 31
Tribute – a father’s reflections Read More »
The only way to live a stable, healthy, and fruitful life, is to live in reality. There are many ways by which we could live in fantasies and illusions that will set us up for certain disappointment and maybe worse. The fantasy that we are able to have or control whatever we wish is one.
Though all people are created with conscience—the ability to sense the difference between right and wrong, or good, better, and best—it is possible for to become so hard-hearted that is seems one does not even have a conscience. Conscience is part of the hard wiring of human beings created in God’s image. Romans 2 says
Guilt and Shame in Everyday Life Read More »
We all know, deep inside, that we need some basic values that can keep our lives on track, keep us out of trouble, and lead us toward virtue rather than vice. In the modern world one value that sometimes is raised above all others is “be true to yourself.” Or “let your conscience be your
Voice of Conscience Read More »
[Special note… see Mel Lawrenz’s “A Prayer for the Christmas Season,” text, printable PDF, or audio HERE.] It is inevitable that, when we talk about “living the Bible,” our minds will drift toward verses and passages that are commands or laws which seem to beckon us toward obedience to God. “You shall not commit adultery,”
What is the Role of “Law” in Living the Bible? Read More »
