Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

Esther 7:1-10 Queen Esther was beautiful. Scripture says she was “lovely in form and features” (2:7). When Esther walked into a room, heads would have turned. If she had lived today she would have been on every major magazine cover without the need of air brushing or...
Only a Little Child

Only a Little Child

  Self-Description    “Only a little child” is how Solomon described himself to God;  how he thought of himself (I King 3:7). How instructive for us.   How do you think the people of Jesus’ day thought of Him?  Poised, confident, authoritative, caring, fully at peace...
 It’s Impossible . . . 

 It’s Impossible . . . 

. . .  to “pray without ceasing” as I Thessalonians 5:17 directs. We have to work, sleep, eat, serve. Even the Bible directs that we are to do many other things than pray, but it still says, “Pray continuously.”  What could this mean?   It means...
Letter to a Dying Woman 

Letter to a Dying Woman 

Some years ago, I wrote the following to a friend who was facing impending death. Possibly you know someone who would be encouraged by this letter.   December 8, 2021 Dear Sir Patrick & Lady Deb,  You are as saintly a couple as we have ever met....
Legalism in Latin America

Legalism in Latin America

Leticia, Colombia, c. 1996  Reluctantly, the missionary admitted to an American audience that his wife wore slacks on their mission field in Colombia. Knowing the conservative nature of this congregation, the missionary correctly feared that his honesty...
The Great Potential (of the Judges Period)

The Great Potential (of the Judges Period)

Your friend is retiring and you want to honor him for his excellent life of diligence. You plan carefully, calling his adult sons and daughters to know his preferences. You contract for a pleasant venue that is close to his home.  You arrange for a local band,...