Why is there so little joy in many Christians when Scripture portrays joy as a vital ingredient for life? Jesus was eager that His followers be filled with joy. Paul was too. He said: For Paul, joy was vital because … Read more
"A holy kind of discontent seems to be fertile ground for God's prophets." – William H. Willimon Discontent can be a destructive energy that harms physically, emotionally, and relationally. It may be a symptom of ingratitude or an inability to … Read more
When the prophet Isaiah spoke of a people walking in darkness, in Isaiah 9:2, he was speaking of the spiritual and moral condition of human hearts. In Scripture, "the heart" refers the centre and source of the whole inner life, … Read more
"Everything was meaningless!" These cynical words in Ecclesiastes erupted from an aging man as he reflected on the tragic mistakes he had made earlier in life. He had determined to find meaning somewhere "under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:3) — somewhere … Read more
"We're emancipated; we're liberated; we're in control, don't worry." These confident utterances are arising from young adolescent girls trying to console worried adults, according to a Maclean's magazine article, "Outraged Moms, Trashy Daughters" (August 16, 2010). The article expresses a … Read more
"I cherish the sacred place of solitude … an abyss opening up in the center of my soul." – Peter Feldmeier Have you ever found yourself utterly alone — perhaps through rejection or exclusion, or simply through exhaustion from doing … Read more
"We are most truly human, most fully ourselves, most profoundly free when we live in response to God's grace." – Migliore One day while visiting a school, I noticed an unhappy grade six boy sitting outside the French classroom. This … Read more
I once met a young woman who was passionate about insects — and that made her a true authority on them. Her life's goal, even as a child, was to study and know insects. She read literature on insects, researched … Read more
"A rose between two thorns!" You've heard this expression; but have you ever applied it to our Christian calling? Jesus did. In effect, He called His followers to be a sweet aroma in the midst of prickly evil. This is … Read more
"I love you as a son!" These words fell on the ears of a little girl as she lay on her bed in a Christian hospital near her village. Her father had just told her that he valued her as … Read more