Abraham believed God, and this was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). I would say that I experienced a blessed childhood. I had good parents, a stable family environment, lots of friends in the neighborhood and at school, no real fears to assail me....... Read More

The Father’s relentless, gracious pursuit of us is meant to deliver us from our consuming desire to love and serve ourselves above everything else. I don’t think that it would be shocking or controversial for me to say that Jesus is not particularly tolerant of unbelief or that he strongly opposes our indulging in or...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 9a: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. In my years as a hipster, I and my long-haired friends were fond of the saying, “Peace is not the destination, peace is the way.” Never mind that we didn’t really have any idea what that meant;...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; they shall be satisfied. Before plunging in to Jesus’ next statement of happiness, let’s revisit the structure of the Beatitudes and situate the previous blessing of meekness. Looking at the verse to verse progression, it is clear that meekness sits...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed are the meek; they shall inherit the earth. OK, let’s get this out of the way. When I am driving behind you on a two-lane, double yellow line road and you are poking along at five miles per hour over the speed limit OR LOWER, I am not...... Read More

Thoughts on the Beatitudes, Part 4: Blessed are those who mourn; they shall be comforted. If we know anything about Jesus, it is that his simple sayings never are. The Beatitudes are no exception. Each statement prompts questions that beget more questions until we have a whole noisy clan of them begging for our attention....... Read More

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven (the Lord’s Prayer as a statement of faith, part 4). “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work” (Jesus in John 4:34). “I wish that God would just tell me what to do, and...... Read More