My wife, Marilyn, had two sons, but no daughters. We always wanted a daughter. It just did not happen. She never got to dress up a daughter in frilly clothing; never go to share girl stuff with her own daughter. So when four granddaughters were born to our sons and their wives, we were … Continue reading Beauty Shoppe
Culture, Culture (2 of 2)
In his book on world leaders, Richard Nixon said that each culture believes it is superior. It is what a given person knows; how he lives. In this second article on culture, we continue to look at examples of how people live that we might better understand others. Cannibals Consider the misunderstanding that … Continue reading Culture, Culture (2 of 2)
Culture, Culture (Part 1 of 2)
We talk about General Motors having a “corporate culture.” Your company, community and church have a culture. Culture is simply how things are done. The purpose of this article is to supply you some examples to widen your awareness of how others do life. This will help us understand what missionaries face. For example, … Continue reading Culture, Culture (Part 1 of 2)
Watch Your Motive (Matthew 20:1-16)
Teasing, alluring and tantalizing is how I would describe our text, Matthew 20:1-16. “Many who are last will be first . . . last ones hired . . . So the last will be first and the first will be last” (19:30, 20:8 and 20:16 respectively). Three times we get this last first, first last … Continue reading Watch Your Motive (Matthew 20:1-16)
The Best for Last (Matthew 11:4-6 )
Guest editorial by Brian Stewart, Action U.S.A Director You are familiar with the phrase "save the best for last." In any sort of persuasive writing or speech, such as a legal argument, debate, or essay, the best practice is to start with your weakest argument and gradually escalate until you finish with your strongest point … Continue reading The Best for Last (Matthew 11:4-6 )
Redeeming Mosquitos
To help understand the quality of Christ’s atoning death, consider an example that came to me years ago (I do not know where I picked it up, so I can’t give credit). Suppose it were possible to redeem mosquitos. Suppose you were prepared to die for mosquitos and that by doing so, they would be … Continue reading Redeeming Mosquitos
Some Went Along (Acts 10:23)
Therese was praying, “Lord should I go to Cuba with the team from our church? Please give me something from the Bible to show whether I should go or not .” Short Term Missions are popular. People can take a week or two from their vacation time, go to a foreign country, make a … Continue reading Some Went Along (Acts 10:23)
The Man With No Arms
It is not polite to stare. But I could not help myself. Where were that man’s arms? Does he have no arms? I looked away, uncomfortable with what I thought I saw. I looked back a few seconds later. No, I was correct. He had no arms! How does a person navigate life with … Continue reading The Man With No Arms
Embarrassing Details
Imagine the Apostle Peter saying to Mark, the writer of the Gospel, “Mark, do you have to put that in your book? Why include that? It makes me look so bad.” Hang on to that thought – we will come back to it. How do we know the New Testament writers wrote the truth? … Continue reading Embarrassing Details
Understanding the Fears of Others (Job 16)
Looking at Job 16 again today, we observe that understanding had broken down. Consider an example of this from my youth. I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s when the Communists of the Soviet Union caused fear in American minds and hearts. Communism was the boogy man of the world, much worse than the … Continue reading Understanding the Fears of Others (Job 16)
