Life This Side of Heaven

In describing the early days of the Christian Church, Paul tells us, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” It’s hard not to be wistful hearing these words as we’re told that each year fewer and fewer people attend church or claim to be Christian. Attempts to reverse this trend over the decades have ranged from careful programs to gimmicks. So, it’s interesting to back...

“God, help me. Please show Yourself to me.” Has this prayer every crossed your lips when you’ve found yourself in danger, guilt or despair? It may surprise you to hear how our risen Savior answers this prayer and where He directs our attention. Episode artwork by Jan van't Hoff courtesy of  FreeBibleImages.com . Used by permission.

Have you ever found yourself puzzled by the promises of Scripture and how they tie into the events of Good Friday and Easter? If you have, you're note alone. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus, on Easter, found themselves in a similar situation. They knew God’s Word, they’d heard it and read it, but it didn’t seem to come together and make sense. However, with patience and love, Jesus showed t...

For the two disciples, on their way to Emmaus, Jesus' death on the cross didn't fit with their misplaced expectations of what He came to accomplish. It appeared that everything they had hoped for was lost. What they were expecting had gone up in smoke. Not surprisingly, the misplaced expectations that many have for Jesus today experience a similar end.  And it often leads to confusion, disillusion...

John must have been amazed to witness so many of our Savior’s miracles. And in the Gospel, he gives us a "snapshot," so to speak, of a number of them. But John recognized that these events were not simply random fireworks to dazzle and amaze. Each of them had a purpose. In this verse, the apostle tells us why they’ve been recorded, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and with such great care.

Have you ever watched those famous scenes from the airport? You know, the ones where folks gather at the Arrivals gate, eager to greet their family and friends. Happy faces spot one another. Hands wave to get their attention. And then shouts of glee can be heard, and hugs and kisses follow. It’s a joyful scene. So, why is it that we may imagine a different picture when it comes to our eternal life...

Our Savior's resurrection assures us of that day when you, me and all believers in Christ will rise when He comes again in glory. It’s hard to imagine what that day will be like, but some things are abundantly clear. Will we be able to hug one another and all our loved ones who have departed in the faith? I'm looking forward to it!

Next month, the Canadian Tulip festival gets underway in the nation’s capital, Ottawa.  But there’s a fascinating story that goes along with those blooms. All those bulbs are planted each year in mid to late October. There they rest, hidden in the ground, until the following Spring. You and I aren’t much different than those dusty tulip bulbs - not much to look at. Right now, it’s hard to see the...

Today, funerals are often referred to as "A Celebration of Life," but they may be simply a look back at a life that's now over. What follows then is a limp encouragement to remember all those times so that we can "keep them alive in our hearts." However, that misses the best part. It overlooks an incredible promise from God and what it means that you and I have a risen Savior. Through faith, you a...

"With fear and great joy." Isn’t that an interesting phrase to describe the reaction of the women who ran from the empty tomb on Easter morning to tell the disciples? And yet the Holy Spirit, who inspired Matthew's record of these events, ensured that he included these very words for you and me to hear as we celebrate our Savior's resurrection. It’s no accident. They point to something that’s too...

Strong words. So why did Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describe the Gospel this way?  Why is it so important to describe the message of salvation with the stark and strong words, “Christ crucified”?

When describing what our Savior has done for you and me, Paul uses an interesting phrase here in Philippians. And it’s one that really brings into focus the events of Holy Week leading up to Good Friday and Easter – and what Jesus has accomplished for you and me.

Is Palm Sunday an overhyped parade? If Psalm Sunday is celebrated, while ignoring what’s to follow on Good Friday, it can become little more than a spiritual version of a 'tailgate party,' a pep rally to get us revved up for Easter. But it's more than that. Palm Sunday is joyous reminder of why our loving Savior came and it brings into clear focus what the joyous celebration of Easter is all about...

Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day.  And while it's a fun occasion to see if folks can fool others into believing something absurd, few would like to admit that they’re the one’s who have been fooled. We’d like to think that we’re smarter than that. At least, that’s what the Greeks of Paul’s day thought. And, like them, many today write off the message of the cross and resurrection of the body as foolis...

Earlier in the Gospel, John records how Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha. If you notice, he never recorded what had for lunch that afternoon. And on this day, as she and Jesus stood outside the tomb of her brother Lazarus, Martha may not have remembered what was cooking on the stove then either. But she did remember something that proved to be much more valuable – the precious words that...

In Ezekiel, the prophet describes for us a vision of dry bones that God connected before him – but these weren’t dinosaur bones being readied for a museum exhibit. These were human bones and this was more than a display that you might see in a museum. What Ezekiel saw before him was a remarkable promise – for him and for you and me.

Soon after landline phones started to disappear a new dilemma was discovered. And maybe you’ve experienced it. Have you lost your phone in your own home? You had it just a moment ago, but now you can’t find it. Whenever this happens to me it comes to the point where I finally have to bring this embarrassing request to my wife. And perhaps it's a request that you've made to someone close to you as...

In recent years, folks have been paying more attention to their wake-up routines. Suggestions are given to such beneficial activities such as throwing open the curtains to let the sun shine in. As a means of reducing stress, and putting the days events in order, encouragement is given to set aside some time for mindfulness and meditation. But did you know that having a morning routine such as this...

For crying out loud! Chances are good that when someone’s annoyed, you may have heard them use this phrase. The season of Lent reminds us that there's a time for crying out loud, but for a number of different reasons.

Back in 1983, PBS launched a show with the goal of encouraging children to read. It was called “Reading Rainbow,” and it was hosted by television and movie star, LeVar Burton. Each episode focused on a topic from the featured children’s book for that day. And having piqued the curiosity of his young audience, he would wrap it all up with what became a signature phrase of the show, “But, don’t take...

Photo filters provide a quick and easy way to enhance your images on social media to give you that unrealistic and glossy look of a movie star. The hope is to hide the sun damage to our skin, wrinkles brought on by age, dark circles under eyes from lack of sleep, scars, freckles, acne, blemishes and more. However, the thing about a filter such as this is that it doesn’t actually undo the blemishes...

It's been observed in recent years that the level of anger in our culture seems to have increased.  Perhaps you’ve noticed it, too. So, the climate of discontent, that Moses describes here among God’s people in Exodus, doesn’t sound that much different from what you and I are experiencing today. But it's not always easy to distinguish anger from fear. Fear and worry tend to trigger anger. So, what...

“Quick, bring boiling water!” If you’ve ever watched an old western movie, or a television show from the sixties, you’ll recognize that classic line. It’s usually shouted whenever a woman goes into labor and a child is about to be born. Someone yells, “Quick, get some boiling water!” But have you ever wondered why? Nicodemus must have scratched his head, too, and wondered when Jesus told Him, “I t...

With a unique Greek word, Paul lets you know that whenever your conscience howls, and the adversary would have you think you’re exposed to judgement, your sins have been covered – by God Himself. 

It's tempting to look at what’s recorded for us in the Old Testament as simply a collection of cautionary tales from the past, and a wagging finger, warning us what not to do. Or maybe even a sepia-toned collection of photos with little bearing on our life today. But it’s so much more than that. This account, recorded by Moses in Genesis, is as much about you and me as it is about Abraham. And it’...