Steven Wales

Mercy.

“Corporal” or “bodily” punishment is effective with children because it is painful. There is also fearful anticipation associated with the instrument of punishment. In order of mildest to most severe, I would rank them: hand, wooden spoon, ruler, belt, tree branch/switch, the cricket-bat-style wooden paddle. I feared my father’s belt—that was his most severe tool. Continue reading “Mercy.”

Jesus Was Shrewd.

He knows human nature. So when the Pharisees were in a frenzy to kill Him, He knew not to trust anyone. He understands what lurks in the heart of mankind. “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. ButContinue reading “Jesus Was Shrewd.”

The Opposition Party.

Yesterday I read about a writer who said he was “the opposition party” in his family. Whatever Dad was for, this kid was against. I can relate to that. Sometimes I am against things just because they are popular, like Buc-ees. But growing up means using God’s wisdom to temper those attitudes—and I have learnedContinue reading “The Opposition Party.”

God Does Not Change.

Have you heard people say that God is full of wrath in the Old Testament but forgiving in the New? God says He does not change: “I am the Lord and I do not change” Malachi 3:6. (See also Hebrews 13:8.) If God does not change, where is the Old Testament grace? If you searchContinue reading “God Does Not Change.”

Sin Sickens. It Festers.

Cat fights result in bites and scratches filled with germs. But cat skin heals quickly—sometimes faster than the underlying infection—creating an abscess. To heal it, the vet will drain it. In serious cases the vet will stitch a piece of plastic in place to hold the wound open, ensuring the fluid continues to drain. AbscessesContinue reading “Sin Sickens. It Festers.”

How Do You Get Clean?

When a child soils a diaper, who cleans him? Can a baby clean himself? When toddlers cover each other with ink or peanut butter or shaving cream or flour (see YouTube), do the parents tell them to clean it up? No. Children are terrible at cleaning up. Mom and Dad have to do it, orContinue reading “How Do You Get Clean?”

Speak Grace.

God saw everything. Then He sent a prophet to condemn Mr. Sinner. Consequences followed: Mr. Sinner’s child became ill and died. Then a son of Mr. Sinner raped his half-sister who was the daughter of Mr. Sinner. Then another son killed the rapist brother. Mr. Sinner banished the avenging son. Later, Banished Son attacked Mr.Continue reading “Speak Grace.”

What Happens When You Die?

Christians believe in Heaven and Hell—two destinations. If you trust yourself for goodness, you’ll never be good enough, and Hell is your destiny. But if you humble yourself and rely on Jesus, He can make you holy, and death is the door into Heaven. But did they understand that in the Old Testament? Yes. WhenContinue reading “What Happens When You Die?”

Confession is Good for the Soul.

When I was a Boy Scout we took long hikes with loaded, external-framed backpacks. A six-mile walk with a heavy pack is tough—and the hardest part is setting off again after a break. Shouldering a heavy pack the second time is harder than the first. When we sin we carry the weight on our soulContinue reading “Confession is Good for the Soul.”

Storms and Fire.

I watched a food documentary that spent an hour praising fire. Fire creates chemical changes in texture and flavor. Heat is critical in the preparation of not only meats, but many other foods—casseroles, desserts, soups, breads, even snacks. The Bible talks a lot about the refiner’s fire: silver must be heated to burn off allContinue reading “Storms and Fire.”