I look first to Jesus for clues to the mysteries of faith, and regarding prayer He did not seem to share some of my biggest struggles. He never wondered whether God exists, whether anyone is truly listening. He never questioned the importance of prayer; indeed, He would flee a crowd of needy people in…
Six Hours One Friday
He was uneasy. He had been since noon. It wasn’t the deaths that troubled him. The centurion was no stranger to finality. Over the years he’d grown callous to the screams of the crucified. He’d mastered the art of numbing his heart. But this crucifixion plagued him. The day began as had a hundred others — dreadfully. It…
Jesus: God with Us
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light…
The Present-Tense Christ
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 I am God’s Son. – John 10:36 I am the resurrection and the life. – John 11:25 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. – John 14:6 I am the true vine. – John 15:1 The present-tense Christ. He never says, “I…
5 Bible Studies for Christmas
Is your small group or Sunday school class looking for Christmas Bible Studies? The Advent season is a time to get ready and prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Doing a Christmas Bible Study is a chance to build up in anticipation of the grand event, and to dive deeper…
What are We to Make of Jesus Christ?
What are we to make of Jesus Christ? This is a question which has, in a sense, a frantically comic side. For the real question is not what are we to make of Christ, but what is He to make of us? The picture of a fly sitting deciding what it is going to…
The Leadership Genius of Jesus
Titles and Deeds Let me tell you about the worst boss I ever saw. He was given authority prematurely, and he abused it wildly. He harshly ordered people when he should have gently directed. He bullied people when he should have asked nicely. He whispered when he should have screamed. He delegated poorly, and then…
Prayer in the Pursuit of God
Time Alone with Jesus Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. — Luke 5:16 Often when I am under stress and pressure, I feel one of my greatest needs is to get a good night’s sleep. But I’ve found that physical rest alone is not enough to revive my flagging spirit. I need…
Echoes from Eternity
“Kyrie eleison.” It was the one sentence uttered to Jesus more than any other. “Kyrie eleison.” Those who traveled with Jesus heard it over and over. “Kyrie eleison.” We would have been amazed at the number and variety of people that came to Jesus and said, “Kyrie eleison.” Some shouted it to Jesus from afar…
Jesus Starts at the Bottom
Jesus Starts at the Bottom Picture a woman who is about to rappel down the side of a tall cliff. Before taking off down the rock’s face, she will first make certain that the rope is long enough to reach the bottom. If the top of the cliff is one hundred feet high, she is…