Painting: the Prayer at Valley Forge, by Arnold Friberg. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter Canaan, the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries: … Your southern boundary will start in the east from the southern end of the Dead Sea, cross south ofContinue reading “Moving into the Promised Land. Numbers 34.”
Category Archives: Heaven is Your Real Home
Learn More About Heaven and its People by Reading the Old Testament Prophets. Zechariah 6:1-8.
When God created the universe, He made so much more than this planet and the plant, animal, and human life on it. In addition to the observable, material universe—stars, planets, and things we can see, God filled His creation with an even more-real dimension of life that those of us in the material world cannotContinue reading “Learn More About Heaven and its People by Reading the Old Testament Prophets. Zechariah 6:1-8.”
This Cellophane Life. Isaiah 65:17-25.
Image: cellophane. Cellophane is the original name for clear plastic wrap or “shrink wrap.” Our lives on earth are like cellophane: thin, see-through, and not particularly durable. C.S. Lewis argued long ago that in heaven our lives will be “made of solider stuff,” and weighty, powerful, and filled with meaning. Rather than being flimsy andContinue reading “This Cellophane Life. Isaiah 65:17-25.”
LIFE IS FAIR, BUT LIFE IS NOT FAIR ALWAYS. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8.
As a little junior philosopher, I looked up at my parents and said, “I think maybe everyone suffers the same amount in life, but it comes at different times—but in the end, it all evens out.” My parents were outraged. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” my dad said. “What about people bornContinue reading “LIFE IS FAIR, BUT LIFE IS NOT FAIR ALWAYS. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8.”
The Throne of God. Revelation 5.
My wife encourages her middle school Bible students to draw a picture of God’s throne and symbolically placing all their problems at the foot of the throne. She has found it to be a helpful way to release her troubles into His hands. I just read Revelation 4. There’s a lot to God’s throne. ThereContinue reading “The Throne of God. Revelation 5.”
HISTORY’S GREATEST WELCOME HOME. Revelation 2:7-3:21.
Imagine a soldier returning from war—what a party! Even the Prodigal Son received a ring, a robe, and a fatted calf. What will God do for you? “I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise” Revelation 2:7. “The victor will never be harmed byContinue reading “HISTORY’S GREATEST WELCOME HOME. Revelation 2:7-3:21.”
HOPE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO “QUALITY OF LIFE.” Ephesians 3:10.
Joni asks hard questions—What about the quadriplegic on a ventilator? What about that person who can communicate only by blinking? How do you respond to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? What hope is left when disease has spread and pain is increasing? Why hang on? What about those who live their entire lives trapped inside bodies andContinue reading “HOPE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO “QUALITY OF LIFE.” Ephesians 3:10.”
“SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE” Colossians 3:2.
The Middle Ages: Disease. Cities filled with sewage, rats, and dirty water. Physicians practice bloodletting (draining up to 80% of a patient’s blood), purging (meds to cause vomiting or diarrhea), and extreme sweat treatments. (Such so-called ‘heroic medicine’ often hastens the patient’s death.) You are better off poor—poor enough to avoid doctors, that is, butContinue reading ““SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE” Colossians 3:2.”
BOXING WITH DEATH. 1 Corinthians 15:52-57.
Boxing requires offense and defense. Boxers can protect themselves by keeping their hands in front of their face and body. But when you “put up your dukes” in defense, you can’t punch. You can also dance around the ring: if he can’t reach you, he can’t hurt you. But if you keep your distance, you’llContinue reading “BOXING WITH DEATH. 1 Corinthians 15:52-57.”
NESTS AND MANSIONS. Matthew 8:20, 22-24.
On vacation, my daughter would rather reach a single vacation destination, make that location what the military calls a “forward operating base,” then travel daily to sites in all directions, before returning to spend another night in her new home away from home. Her mother agreed. Of course, some journeys require you to move everyContinue reading “NESTS AND MANSIONS. Matthew 8:20, 22-24.”
Household Words: 