When I was 20 years old, I made a promise to a young, 19-year-old girl. I was in love and I intended to commit my life to her. As I stood before all those witnesses, I pledged my devotion to her until one of us died. That was my hope and yet I knew I could not guarantee the future. God is different. He makes … Continue reading The Guarantee of our Future
As we approach Christmas, once again I ponder the coming of the Son of God. The day of His visitation was foretold. In eternity He was not bound by any means. At the right time, He entered a world that would now limit Him. When He created this world, He knew one day He would come to die for His people. These were not good … Continue reading Through His Poverty
There is a door of death that awaits us all. When this door opens it does so quickly and often without warning. It ushers us into eternity, then closes securely behind us, never allowing us re-entry into this world again. We’re not alarmed when old people die. But, when others leave this world early, it causes us to think about things we may not want … Continue reading Close to the End
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples: “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”Mark 2:16-17 The day I buried … Continue reading Another Man’s Righteousness
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” Jonah 3:10-4:1 I like the story of Jonah. It’s an easy read. I pity the mockers of the whale story. They miss the mercy and compassion of … Continue reading Justified Anger
I went to see my Dad today. He’s 84 and lives with strangers now. He was once our leader and provider. Now he sits alone at the dining table with TV noise in the background. I remember how big and strong he was, now his frailty overshadows his large hands, as he sits in a wheelchair. I pass by empty eyes and blank stares down … Continue reading Useful to the End
As I sat thinking today, I know that I have nothing to boast of… For what do I have that I have not been given? The life that I live and the path that I walk Has been laid out before me by You, the Most High. So how can I feel pride or think that I am above any man, For my lot could … Continue reading Who Am I That You Would Bring Me This Far
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties. Again, and again he offers the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:11-12 In eternity was the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. God’s grace was given … Continue reading With His Own Blood
I love my kids. When they were little, they came with me everywhere. Now when I go to bed, I don’t always know where they’re at. Sometimes, I think about an endless eternity without just one of them and there is no deeper pain for me to contemplate. I’ve spent many nights in anguish and tears wondering where they will go when they die. I … Continue reading No Deeper Pain
Pilgrims Perspective 