As part of my downtime during these days of “social distancing,” I’ve been bingeing on the old TV series, “24.” Do you remember it? Starring Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent, Jack Bauer, each episode is one hour of a 24-hour day.
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From his days as a giant slayer to the season when he commanded Saul’s armies to the time he became ruler of Israel in his own right, David was a warrior. Some Bible commentators, in fact, refer to him as “the warrior king.” But David was more than a military warrior. He was a prayer warrior.
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All four of the gospel accounts record the resurrection of Jesus. Like a multifaceted diamond, each of them highlights different aspects of it. One of my favorite versions is that which is found in Matthew.
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Many of us are familiar with the Palm Sunday account when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. According to Matthew 21:1, Jesus began his ride in Bethphage, a town directly to the east of Jerusalem on the other side of the Mount of Olives.
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With his latest book, Anxious for Nothing – Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, best-selling author Max Lucado (“America’s Pastor”) was ahead of the curve. I’m confident that he had no idea that its 2019 release would be so timely, yet in these worrisome days, it has certainly proved to be that.
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Best-selling author, Max Lucado, describes an occasion when he had a moving encounter with a woman from his church. He writes: She had a tremble to her – a kind of inner tremble you can feel with just a hand on a shoulder.
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In Bath, England there are hot springs that, 2000 years ago, provided not only physical relief but emotional release. Scores of prayers have been excavated from the ruins that visitors paid to have written down and offered at the site.
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My middle child lives with his wife and dog in Chicago. He works for a public relations firm during the week and plays with a “wedding band” on the weekends. Highly gifted yet firmly grounded, Jim is doing quite well.
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One of the subtle, crippling effects of an Internet world is that we are aware of every atrocity, every tragedy within moments of its occurrence in any place in the world.
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Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “You get what you deserve.” It’s not true. You actually get what you expect. Jesus was clear about this and, in one particular instance, He underscored this in a big way.
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One of the most helpful things I have learned about the Christian life is that all behaviors – both good and bad – begin in our thoughts.
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The early days of aviation were filled with both great risk and great reward. Daredevils such as Charles Lindbergh, and those who followed after him, continually pushed the boundaries of their frail planes as they flew them over ever-increasing distances.
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If someone were to ask you what was the greatest day of your life, what would you say? What is the first thing that would come to your mind? You might think, “It was the day I was born – when I sucked in that first lungful of breath and the unending adventure began.”
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There’s been a lot of debate about this passage. Typically, it has to do with personality types – the “Martha” who is harried and worried and the “Mary” who is serene and contemplative. But the meaning of this account goes well beyond that. It has to do with a fundamental decision about discipleship.
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One of my family’s favorite movies is “The Princess Bride.” When it came out in 1987, this quirky film surprised everyone with its popularity. To this day, it is still a favorite of thousands. My wife and kids and I have seen it more times than I can count.
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Most of us are familiar with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. But in reading it recently, my attention wasn’t drawn to him as much as to the other two men who came across the one who was attacked. We’re told that one was a priest and the other was a Levite. That is to say, these were religious individuals who didn’t lack for knowledge regarding the importance of extending mercy to those in need.
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Well, here we are in the opening hours of a brand-new year. Our walls display bright, new calendars. Our desks sport sharp, new date books. For at least one friend, it means that he gets to carry around a brand-new Franklin Planner. For better or worse, 2020 has arrived!
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The Apostle John’s description of the incarnation is one of the greatest pieces of theology ever penned. The eternal Son of God, at a point in time, left the halls of heaven where He had reigned in glory and became a human being.
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I was struck once again this year by how often bells are the theme of Christmas songs. There’s “The Carol of the Bells,” “Christmas Bells are Ringing,” “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock.” Bells and Christmas seem to go hand in hand. Have you ever wondered where the idea of Christmas bells came from?
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Christmas. It’s many things: familiar carols, bright lights, seasonal decorations, family gatherings, great food, and special worship services. It’s also the time when we can give gifts to those we love – with the hope that we’ll hear the words, “It’s just what I needed.”
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