Discomfort in life can come from many sources—natural con- sequences, other people, broken systems, and even God. However, sometimes we bring the discomfort on ourselves. “Lord, if it is you, command...

Iam guilty of overlooking small details in familiar stories like Jesus walking on water, but recently a single word jumped out: Jesus made the disciples get in the boat and head...

Everyone loves a good story, and central to a good story is conflict. Few best-sellers focus on the perfect day where everything works out. Romantic comedies end when the couple gets...

Why do bad things happen to good people—specifically me?” Distant tragedies from around the world can lead some to question God, but how many more crises of faith result from personal...

When we look at the family tree of the patriarchs, we find a series of “gold stars.” Abraham literally had many sons, but Genesis 25 tells us that he gave all...

Jesus hosts the multitudes, feeding people’s spiritual and physical hungers. While Jesus’ blessing and breaking works an amazing miracle in a tight spot, the disciples play an import- ant part. Jesus...

Can you imagine having crowds follow you everywhere, wanting you to solve their problems? Pastors and teachers can probably identify with the exhaustion Jesus and his disci- ples must have felt...

As a first-year public school music teacher and church musician, I looked forward to observing Good Friday and Easter. I wanted the children in my classes to understand why Good Friday...

The psalmist says in verse 15, “I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.” He thinks that his righteousness will allow him...

You said if I cleaned my room, did all my homework, and fed the dog, we could do something special.” Youngsters asking favors of parents often start their pleading with such...