Life This Side of Heaven

As the Father’s festive celebration upon the return of his wayward son got underway, it’s easy to assume that "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" has come to a close. And in many cases that’s where folks leave it. But in this story, which could be better described as “The Parable of the Forgiving Father,” there’s another important scene that follows and which is often forgotten. It focuses on the re...

While well-known as "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," a more apt title might be "The Parable of the Forgiving Father." The actions of the foolish son hit close to home are more than familiar. It’s the amazing and unconditional love of the forgiving father that’s the focus of these famous words. (Episode image courtesy of Jan van 't Hoff/ Gospelimages.com  Used with permission.)

When it comes to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, it's worth noting that the word “prodigal” doesn’t actually appear in the story. And it’s not terribly useful title. It simply means “someone who spends money in a reckless manner.” Today, we would more than likely use the word, “fool.”  It brings to mind the old English saying, “A fool and his money are soon parted.”  But the parable isn’t about g...

Have you ever bought an appliance that was in less than shiny, showroom shape? The adversary works hard to make you believe that's how God sees you. Even though God has taken away your sins, the enemy would have you believe that the blemish and scars of your sins remain. Paul wants you to know that nothing could be further from the truth. You were not purchased at markdown. And just wait until you...

Imagine waking up and not recognizing anyone, the people around you, your friends, your parents, the love of your life, or even yourself when you looked in the mirror? It sounds like the plot from a movie that you might enjoy with a big tub of popcorn, doesn’t it? It's actually more familiar than you may think.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire." Have you ever heard that phrase? It’s an expression used to indicate that when one thing is present, another is sure to follow. However, in this case, it’s not very encouraging. However, Isaiah tells us what follows when the smoke and fire of judgment for our sins has been removed.

“Turn to me.” It’s a remarkable request. Here in Psalm 69, David cried out to God for help. He implores God for relief and rescue from the suffering he’s experiencing at the hand of his enemies. Jesus quoted this psalm in preparing for His crucifixion. And yet, in order to rescue you and me, it meant the Father turning away as the punishment that has brought us peace poured down upon Him.

Have you ever had a difficult time finding your way out of a parking garage? When you and I are faced with temptations, they don’t usually come when things are bright in our lives and we can see clearly. Temptations often seem to come when life feels cold, dark and uncomfortable. Like a dimly lit parking garage, it may feel like it’s difficult to see where the lines are drawn. We live in a culture...

An upset means a surprising victory by team that was expected to lose. On the other hand, it also points out a stunning loss for team that was expected to win. Our coach Paul, the apostle, points to a chalkboard full of examples from the Old Testament to keep our eyes focused on our Savior.

“Fight, Flight or Freeze.” Have you ever heard of this phrase? It describes the physiological response we have to keep safe, preparing us to face, escape, or hide from danger. Facing danger, and following the destruction of the land and their exile into Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar, the people of Israel in Ezekiel's day had their own reactions to the plight that now faced them. It could be de...

It's hard not to marvel at the beauty of the redbuds that start to bloom at this time of the year. They also remind this writer of the beauty of God's patience in calling me to repentance and revealing to me each day the beauty of His mercy.

The Queen’s Guard, who stand watch at Buckingham Palace are famous for their silence. In fact, they’re often as famous for their stoic speechlessness as much as they are for their bright red and black uniforms, bearskin helmets and bayonet rifles. They don’t say anything, even if tourists approach them to say “hello,” or have their picture taken. They stand watch. When God made Ezekiel “a watchman...

The ultimate arrival for you and me, following this wilderness journey, will take place when we reach our heavenly home. But as Paul makes it clear, we are not traveling through this life with the possibility of becoming citizens. We are citizens of heaven right now. In joyful assurance through faith, the apostle wants you to know, “Our citizenship is in heaven.”

A tower under construction in the south end of Jerusalem, in Siloam, came crashing down taking the lives of eighteen people. And Jesus was aware that the popular buzz surrounding this tragedy, and others like it, was that those who were killed must have been really bad sinners who had it coming. There's a reason that we tend to think this way. But Jesus tells us that we’re looking at incidents lik...

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem and their rejection of God's love. So what did Jesus do? Jesus didn’t stop there in His sorrow. He went to the cross. He announced, “On the third day I will reach my goal.” And here’s where you and I can take our cue for this Lenten journey.

Antipas may have thought that he was as sly as a fox when the Pharisees came to Jesus with the warning, “Herod wants to kill you,” but Jesus made it clear that you have a God who wants to save you for eternal life. And in love for you, has done it!

The folks in Jerusalem were no fans of the prophet Jeremiah, and what they considered to be his constant nagging. His message was unrelenting and unremitting.  What he held out before them was a persistent and painful truth that they refused to hear. And we may even take it out on a pastor or well-meaning friend who does the same. But the call to repentance is not nagging. It’s not simply a call t...

“Trust your gut.” Have you ever heard that phrase?  It’s an expression which means, “Trust your intuition. Do what feels right.” But think of how often easy it is for us to second guess those things that God has warned us about in His Word. When we listen to our gut, it means trusting in what we we think is good, or what feels right –instead of what God says is actually good and right.

Psalm 91 is a remarkable psalm which gives great comfort, and especially in times of distress. So, it’s ironic to hear that this was the Psalm that the devil quoted –out of context– in an attempt to dissuade Jesus from His journey to the cross.  That alone makes it another good reason to have a closer look at it during this season of Lent and discover what God is actually saying in these words.

There’s a similarity in each of the temptations Jesus faced from the enemy – to doubt the Father’s love. When faced with the temptation to put that love to the test, Jesus's response instead was to place His confidence it it. Through faith, His victory is ours.

From the desert floor to the highest peak, providing a vantage point where all the kingdoms of the world could be viewed in an instant, the devil tried another tack in his bid to tempt Jesus. In in this temptation, the adversary shows himself to be the liar that he is. The temptation tossed before our Savior was this: “If you worship me, it will all be yours.” In other words, "We can call this who...

It may not sound like a big temptation on the surface – turning stones into bread. As Jesus is God in the flesh, this would have not been difficult. Here’s the One, after all, who would go on to feed the five thousand with so much bread that they had to use baskets to collect up the leftovers. But the first temptation our Savior faced in the desert is about more than just a loaf of bread.

It’s often assumed that the reason the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to record Jesus’ response is for the purpose of providing instructions, the blueprints by which you and I can overcome temptation. It certainly does provide us with useful direction. But actually, it’s much more that.

Here in Romans, Paul describes two things that belong together like peas and carrots – it’s faith and confession. As Christians, we believe the Jesus has given us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. And with joy, we tell others of our Savior and the salvation He has brought us. We outwardly confess what we inwardly possess.

In classical artwork depicting the Transfiguration, the glory surrounding Jesus, Moses and Elijah is often depicted by halos around their heads. It’s that familiar little circle of light by which the artist wants you to know that the person in painting is holy. Of course, it’s neither realistic nor helpful. So, instead of halo, imagine a hardhat. That may sound odd at first, but consider the words...