Matthew–John Welcome None of us likes to wait. We get impatient at traffic lights. We get edgy when the line at the grocery store doesn’t seem to move. We get irritated when people talk too slowly and won’t get to the point. We don’t like the inconvenience of having to wait for just a…
Turn Over Control to God
Turn Over Control to God How do we do that? How do we turn over the control of our lives to God as Jesus did, and as Jesus invites us to do? It’s not easy. I sometimes liken it to what trapeze artists do when they have to release their grasp on one bar in…
Biblical Community
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of…
Water Into Wine
Water Into Wine Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” Then he told them, “Now draw some out.” The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He called the bridegroom aside and said, “You have saved the best till now.” — John 2:7-10 It’s a simple…
3 Steps to Access Supernatural Power
When I was a little boy, I dreamed of being a superhero. For me any superhero would do, but my favorite was Ultraman. Ultraman was the star of the coolest show aired on television between 1966 and 1967. I was just five years old at the time. For Halloween my parents purchased an Ultraman…
Who is God?
WELCOME A little girl in kindergarten was drawing a picture when her teacher walked up to her desk to take a look. She asked the child, “What are you drawing?” The bright-eyed girl quickly responded, “God.” The teacher smiled and then said, “Well, honey, no one actually knows what God looks like.” The child looked…
Joy: True Happiness
I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. — John 15:11 Remember Eeyore and Tigger in the Winnie-the Pooh-books? For Eeyore, no matter what amazing circumstance came his way, doom and gloom remained the focus. For Tigger, bouncing through life without a care…
Sacrificial Love
What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul? — Deuteronomy 10:12 Spoiler alert! If you haven’t read O. Henry’s short story “The Gift…
The Hope of Jesus
Hope We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. — Hebrews 6:19–20 The first-century symbol of Christianity was an anchor, not a cross. Pictured on the epitaphs of first-, second-, and third-century believers,…
Having an Exit Strategy
My first experience with water skiing came at the age of twenty-four. I was quietly anxious about the adventure. All of my focus was on getting up on those skis. The first attempt was over before it began. One tug from the motorboat, and the rope left my hands and took off without me. On…