We are called to believe in God, and Abraham is the quintessential exemplar of such faith. He believed God’s promises related to an as-yet-undisclosed land, an unborn heir, and an unfulfilled...

How does God communicate with you? I have had a few “mountaintop” experiences on retreat or after a time of intense prayer, meditation, and holy conversation. But most of us encounter...

In these verses, the psalmist steps aside and God comes to testify against the people. As in Isaiah’s time, worship has become a time to glorify self. The people misunderstand sacrifice;...

Enough! A popular worship video a few years ago titled Me Church carried the tagline “where it’s all about you.” The video promises would-be attenders that the church service won’t start...

The apostle Paul frequently begins his letters with reminders of God’s grace and mercy (Galatians being the exception). No matter how severe his word of warning or rebuke, he fosters a...

A certain man who has a bumper crop decides to build bigger barns to hold it all. In 1973, the average house in the United States was 1600 square feet. By...

Entering into someone else’s argument seldom leads to a good end. No matter how reasonable the side presented might be, it is never the whole story. We fail to see the...

Paul, a person of action, tells us to put to death sinful actions, to set aside harmful behavior, to take off the old nature, and to put on these spiritual practices...

In the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” the author mentions raising an Ebenezer. In First Samuel, Samuel uses a stone he calls Ebenezer to commemorate the Israelites’ victory over...

My husband served in the navy for many years. After a deployment, the families would gather at the pier to welcome the ship and the sailors home. If the sailor for...