The words of Psalm 46 may come to mind as we think of the many who suffer in earthquake-stricken Nepal. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar […]
Though the Earth Give Way – Earthquake in Nepal Read More »
[On the ground report from Christian leader in Kathmandu, Nepal] Greetings from suffering Nepal! I am glad that you all are praying for us and by God’s grace we are fine and our missionaries are quite fine. The disastrous Earthquake with an 7.8 of magnitude has struck the country of Nepal killing more than 5000
From Suffering Nepal Read More »
I highly recommend this TED talk by Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission. I have interacted with Gary over the years, met with some of their staff in Washington, and always been impressed by the commitment, integrity, and passion of the work they do in the interest of international justice. This talk is based
Gary Haugen on Violence and Poverty Read More »
If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the Bible (and that’s a good thing), the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the Bible—Revelation. It starts out simply enough, it is a “revelation (in Greek, apocalypse) from Jesus Christ,” it is a “prophecy,” and it
How Should We Understand the Book of Revelation? Read More »
If someone asked you who your favorite teacher was when you were growing up, chances are someone specific would come to mind. And chances are you still respect that person today not because he or she was a fantastic lecturer, or had a superior knowledge of the subject matter, or had a memorable voice. Our
How Should We Understand the Teachings of Jesus? Read More »
On the night of the Last Supper Jesus gave his disciples an extraordinary body of teaching which we call “The Upper Room Discourse.” One way of summarizing what Jesus was telling them is “you’re going to be okay.”
You’re Going to Be Okay Read More »
I sometimes think that shame, mere awkward, senseless shame, does as much towards preventing good acts and straightforward happiness as any of our vices can do. —C.S. Lewis [From the new release, Overcoming Guilt and Shame by Daniel Green and Mel Lawrenz. Previously, Why Do I Feel Like Hiding?] IT’S NOT JUST YOU We all
Dealing with Guilt and Shame Read More »
This Sunday morning, March 15… Mel Lawrenz, Elmbrook Minister at Large and former Senior Pastor has recently spent time in Ethiopia where there is a remarkable story of faith that goes back 3,000 years. In the valleys, plateaus, and mountains of sunny Ethiopia in the horn of Africa a dramatic movement of God has been
The Story of Christianity in Ethiopia Read More »
There is a remarkable story of faith far removed from where I live in the Midwest of the U.S. where today there are grey skies and snow on the ground. In the valleys, plateaus, and mountains of sunny Ethiopia in the horn of Africa a dramatic movement of God has been afoot which reached dramatic
Remarkable Place, Remarkable People Read More »
If you were to stumble upon a long-lost manuscript that no eyes had seen for generations, and if you were to read its opening lines which offered a “wisdom” like what’s described in the following lines, you might consider it one of the greatest discoveries of your life. Proverbs… for gaining wisdom and instruction; for
What Are We To Take from the Books of Wisdom? Read More »
The Bible is not just a book. It is relationship in words. God’s word to men and women, boys and girls. A living action between the almighty Creator of the universe and his most cherished creation: humanity. We do not understand Scripture unless we hear in it the divine-human dialogue. The Psalms prove this. In
How Should We Read the Psalms? Read More »
It’s okay to be honest if you’re having difficulty understanding sections of the Bible. Remember, our difficulty understanding Scripture is not a problem. It is what you’d expect of a body of scriptures that speak into the complexities of human experience, and contain the high truth of a transcendent God. When we come to the
How Should We Understand What the Prophets Had to Say? Read More »
One of the ways we know that the truth of the Bible is rooted in reality is that the story of the Bible—the drama of God’s interaction with humanity—unfolds in a real place. This is a real God engaging with real people across a timeline that goes for thousands of years in a specific part
What Is Important About the Land of the Bible? Read More »
Illness is not only distressing, but confusing. Many people have a hard time knowing what to pray when they are seriously ill. The Scriptures make it clear that God listens to the cries of our hearts when we are in distress (the Psalms especially demonstrate that). It is honoring to God whenever we talk to him.
A Prayer for When You Are Seriously Ill Read More »
Most people who start to read the Bible from the beginning for the first time will typically have this experience: Genesis is fascinating with the story of creation, Babel, the flood, and the epic stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The exodus story is gripping. And then comes the law. Mount Sinai and the Ten
How Should We Understand the Law? Read More »