THE EMPTINESS OF SELF-IDOLATRY

What do you celebrate? Christmas or Hanukkah?  What do you call yourself? a Jew or a Christian? These are questions I’ve been asked many times over, ever since I heard Jesus call me by name.  I’d like to think the meaningful answer is to ask: Who do you say Jesus is?

From Enduring Commentary —Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench: This is another reference to the gentle character of Jesus. A reed is a fairly fragile plant, yet if a reed is bruised, the Servant will handle it so gently that He will not break it….

For many years I had seen the signs that proclaimed JESUS SAVES—without a clue as to what that meant. It seemed like a sign that was put up for all the desperate people who needed some saving. Until thirty-two years ago, when I called out to Jesus to save me, and He amazingly and graciously…

One day I overheard a friend advise a young woman locked in prison that “Your past does not define you”. Her words made me recall the day I was sure I had found the definition of who I was. A punching bag, a convenient target, a scapegoat. You have pent-up anger, need to get out…

FROM PALM SUNDAYTO GOOD FRIDAYTO RESURRECTION SUNDAY Palm Sunday: all the Hosannas — was it because of a misunderstood celebration? I believe we can fall into such a misunderstanding. We think “oh good, now I’m “saved” — saved from trials, etc. Yet we are saved from God’s wrath because of Good Friday. Good even when…

While having physical therapy (yes, this “seasoned” body demands more and more attention), the music playing reminded me how much we are all lost without the Good Shepherd. One song was “Still Haven’t Found What I’m looking For” and right after that song came “I want to know what love is.” Thank You, Lord, that…