We are familiar with the idea of a truce. A truce is like a cease-fire; two parties agree to stop fighting each other. The goal is centered on ending the fight, not necessarily on a flourishing relationship. When the resurrected Christ found His disciples behind closed doors, distressed and afraid, He offered them peace. Shalom in
Read MoreThe call and response, “He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” echoes in our ears from Easter Sunday. From now until Pentecost, we are in a season of celebration of our Risen Lord. Not much is said in the gospels about the events following the resurrection. The writers focus on the fact that Jesus rose, highlighting
Read MoreOne practice that I have not honed so well, and which my wife honed well, is journaling. I am just not quite as consistent. But then there is the other part of the matter. If I am bad at journaling, I am worse at going back to them. One good thing about journals is that they
Read MoreEight years ago today, I was on my way to work when a news item broke on the radio that caught me completely off-guard. It was coming out of Nigeria. The terrorist group, Boko Haram, raided a school in Chibok, kidnapping more than 200 female, teenage students. They packed these young teenagers like canned sardine
Read MoreSocial media has affected life as we ever knew it. Among other things, it has come to serve as an informal measure of social acceptance. It can be so gratifying when many people like, react to, or share our posts. It can be so discouraging, on the other hand, when others never like or say
Read MoreWhen I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19 I was told long ago that Christians are always happy people. I even knew of a Christian organization whose slogan was “The happiest people on earth.” I understand what
Read MoreThis month marked two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID a global pandemic. Looking back to 2020, it didn’t seem like we would be back where we are today. We wiped down tables and chairs after each user. We kept our hands off our faces and washed them every time we touched something others
Read MoreYesterday marked exactly 69 years when evangelist Billy Graham took a step that shocked everyone. It was in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the year was 1953. Up until then, evangelicals in the South condoned segregated revival meetings. It was very common to see ropes dividing white from non-white at Christian rallies and revival gatherings. When Billy Graham
Read MoreThe global COVID pandemic that lasted almost two years must not have been enough disruption for the world in Putin’s estimation because he decided to invade another country, wage war with them, and watch innocent lives come under danger under his command. The deathly and destructive actions of Putin and his Russian soldiers in Ukraine
Read MoreSailors sometimes do it. Chase the wind! It is unlikely that the author of Ecclesiastes had sailors in mind when he illustrated the life of a wind-chaser. He was describing a life that was highly capable of achieving happiness, yet deeply incapable of attaining satisfaction. Beginning at Eccl. 1:14, he describes such pursuit as no more
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