you choose Q: do our problems always occur for God's glory?
Q: We read of Paul’s thorn-in-the-flesh in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Does the apostle Paul mean that whenever a born-again Christian experiences a problem (e.g sickness), that it is to the glory of God? —Michael
A: We live in a sinful and fallen world. Sickness, suffering, and pain are very much a direct and indirect consequence of sin (Genesis 3:17-19, 4:11-12;…
splendor in the mundane
Sometimes life is tedious. While self-help books promise endless passion for life and the mystics promise endless ecstasy, the reality is that many of our days are simply mundane. And they need to be. There are clothes to wash, forms to complete, toddlers to feed, drains to unclog, papers to write, and shoes to resole. At work or at home,…
rejoicing in thorns
Amy McDonaugh, a 34-year-old mother of three who is completely blind in her right eye and has severely impaired vision in her left eye, fought off 1,775 competitors to win the Flying Pig Marathon—a popular and enjoyable race. Participating in only her fourth contest, McDonaugh not only beat her fellow runners, but she also showed that her physical challenge would…
before the eulogy
In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom, Huck Finn, and Joe Harper slinked off for a few days away without telling anyone. Back home, their distraught loved ones assumed they had drowned, so they held a funeral. The boys—being boys—sneaked back into town and watched the funeral from the rafters of the church. There they enjoyed hearing the good…
firewalkers
Firewalkers fascinate me. These people have a special something that allows them to look down at a bed of hot coals, unbuckle their sandals or peel off their socks, and step right in. Some see it as a rite of passage, a way to conquer fear, or a way to uncover some hidden vein of inner strength. Whatever the reason,…
personality or precept?
Twitter. Facebook. Podcasts. In mere seconds, we can receive biblical truths from around the globe. We can worship with our favorite worship bands and gain insight into life’s toughest problems from the latest speakers and writers. Never has the Word been so accessible at any given moment. While this level of information offers ever-expanding opportunities for spiritual growth, our hope…
can you keep a secret?
Matthew 6:1-4: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.…
what to do?
I used to struggle big-time with making decisions. When confronted with options I seldom experienced confidence that I would make the right decision. One winter, I flew to Colorado to visit some dear friends who owned a ski resort. Rather than take advantage of free skiing, however, I opted to spend my days by the fireplace in their cozy home,…
fashion police
The southern Italian town of Castellammare has created its own version of the "fashion police." The police force there is authorized to fine women who wear risqué clothing such as mini skirts, skimpy jeans, and low-cut tops. One town official claimed that the ban made Castellammare a “civilized city.”
While I’m not sure these laws elevate the city to higher…
God's glory in autumn
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5.7-8 NIV)
Autumn is God’s time to re-paint His landscape, demonstrating His matchless ability…
Artist of the earth
In her book Source, art historian Janine Bourke says that many of the world’s most celebrated artists developed their greatest work when they retreated to nature. Monet painted his Waterlily series after moving to his garden-home at Giverny. Picasso was most creative when based at Cỏte d’Azur in France. Jackson Pollock’s abstract paintings were inspired by Long Island landscapes. The…
the moon You set in place
[caption id="attachment_8474" align="aligncenter" width="547" caption="—submitted by Victor Kuah, Australia"]
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"When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers—the moon and the stars You set in place—what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them? Yet You made them only a little lower than God and crowned…
is it worth it?
Lou Gehrig may not have died from Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Hall of Fame pro baseball player is the namesake for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating neurological disease that slowly paralyzes its victims and ultimately leads to death. New research reveals that Gehrig may not have had ALS, but exhibited similar symptoms due to blows to his head.
Gehrig…
beauty and glory
[caption id="attachment_8205" align="aligncenter" width="518" caption="—pic submitted by Bharathy Singaravel, India"]
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O Lord, what a variety of things You have made! In wisdom You have made them all. May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all He has made! (Psalm 104:24,31).
