A very interesting passage of Scripture comes to mind in light of these days. 2 Chronicles 7:13–14 says, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command LOCUSTS to devour the land or send a PLAGUE among My people, if My people, who are called by My name, will humble […]
I was born a Furtado because my dad was a Furtado, and his dad was a Furtado, as was his dad, etc. I was born a sinner because my dad was a sinner, and his dad was a sinner, as was his dad, all the way back to Adam. I might be a well-respected and […]
Ever tried using a screwdriver to twist a long screw into or out of wood? It’s almost impossible. But with a power tool, it seems effortless. When Karen and I reroofed our house, we pounded every nail with a hammer. Besides hitting our thumbs a number of times, it took us a month. Our neighbors, […]
For people around the world, the Friday before Easter is called Good Friday. I doubt that any of the followers of Christ, watching the brutal torture of Jesus, would have thought, “This is GOOD.” In fact, it was the WORST Friday of their lives. Many followed Jesus because they assumed that He was the long-awaited […]
One of King David’s songs to God that has been handed down to us in our Bibles is Psalm 139. Eugene Peterson has paraphrased some of it this way, “God, I’m an open book to You; even from a distance, You know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; […]
Have you ever been upset with yourself for giving into temptation … again? Have you ever assumed that if you were just more disciplined, you could be victorious? Feel you need to try harder or be more regimented to keep your routines? How many times have you heard it said that if you want […]
When I was in high school (a long time ago), our sports rival was a town twenty miles to the north, just over the border between California and Oregon. The Bible also speaks of rivals, but not of towns and sports teams. These two rivals are each vying for your heart, kind of like politicians […]
Ever felt like you’ve sinned too much? Feel too ashamed to face God again and confess the same sin one more time? Think He’s tired of hearing you, rolling His eyes and doubting that you really mean it since you keep repeating the same sin? Feel like giving up? Let me share three verses and […]
Samuel was getting old. He had served God his entire life and given leadership to the nation of Israel throughout his adult years. Now, as he approached the end of his life, he assumed that his sons would follow in his steps and provide godly leadership. “But his sons did not walk in his ways. […]
From our earliest interactions with other kids to our adult years, we find that there are three things that tend to impress others. People seem to be nicer to those who are smart, athletic, or rich. Think back to your school days. Was it not the smart kids whom the teachers seemed to favor? Was […]