Jacob’s story of wrestling for a blessing has always intrigued me. Why did he wrestle at this crisis point? What was he asking for? Why did God include this in Scripture for generation after generation to read? And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. …
Effective Prayer
One of my classes required me to read a book that is out of print, but well worth reading—“Effective Prayer” by J. Oswald Sanders. It has encouraged, convicted, challenged, and instructed me on the topic of prayer. Because of its influence, prayer was the subject of one of the classes I taught this week, which …
The Days Were Accomplished
Advent Day #10 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luke 2:6 In the big middle of the miraculous, time still moved in ordinary ways. In Luke 1:10, the people of God stood outside the temple praying as Zechariah made the sacrifice. It would …
Hope’s Song in Suffering Seasons
Here in northeast Ohio, fiery autumn leaves litter the ground, as if the earth exhaled a heavy sigh and released them from their seasonal labor. Soon, every deciduous tree will lift empty limbs toward the sky, awaiting the icy, cold shroud of winter. For months, the darkness of winter will fall early, and most …
Engaging Difficult People Biblically
After teaching teenagers since August, I jokingly told my Costco checker that I am nearly strong enough to work retail at Christmastime. He laughed with an eyebrow raised that implied his uncertainty at my readiness. Since I have never worked retail and he has never taught middle school and high school students, we might both …
Christians and Politics: A Bible Study for Changing Times
If you have ever had a prodigal child, it can be excruciating to watch him speed one hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction toward a wreck you can see miles ahead. You may plead, warn, yell, even forcibly detain, but his heart is bent toward his way, and nothing will stop him. As …
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Use the Last Straw to Light the Sacrifice
Have you heard Christian comedian and singer Mark Lowry's story about how he knew when his mother had ENOUGH? If you need a laugh, you can find it here. Mark wished for a ten-second warning for when Mama had enough. It is a light-hearted look from a child’s perspective, but every mother can …
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Another Wakeful Night
Another wakeful night Rocking restless babe, Quieting toddler’s fears, Shushing back to sleep. Another wakeful night Waiting for the teen, Praying that they walk In all they have been trained. Another wakeful night Weeping on her knees. Begging God to find The lost to intervene. Another wakeful night Searching out His Word, Listening for His …
Faithful Under Pressure
J. Hudson Taylor labored under intense pressure, ill health, and deep grief as he followed God’s call to China. It is reported that over the course of his ministry he buried two wives and no less than four children. At one point, his faith was so low, he even considered taking his own life. …
Why Be Thankful for the Thorns?
With Thanksgiving coming, some friends and I brought up the thorns that come along with the roses of family get togethers. Relationships generally grow with thorns, so we took time to pray over those heartaches, struggles, and family issues that will arise when the families gather, or in some cases, do not gather. Thorns come …
His Song in the Night 