Though we don’t like to admit it or experience it, suffering is a reality for the Christian. We should not be surprised when it comes. In the midst of facing persecution, Peter offers pastoral care to the first century believers in a truth that is hard to comprehend and
There is an old saying,”‘money can’t buy happiness,” and a famous pop song that said, “money can’t buy me love.” Often society places a great weight on having all our needs met through financial wealth and material possessions. One of the national newspapers here in the United Kingdom annually compiles
This passage begins with Jesus calling the disciples to Him and using what just happened as a teachable moment for them. In order to really understand this passage, we need to back up a few verses. James and John approach Jesus and ask Him to let them sit by His
Have you ever been badly let down by a friend or family member, someone you really loved? It hurts. The disappointment runs deep. It can be hard to forgive and definitely hard to trust again. Healing from those wounds takes time. Sometimes the relationship is gone or is never quite
“For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards,for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by Godfor tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of
Have you ever been reading a book and realized at the end of the page you weren’t really concentrating, and you have glazed over so you’ll have to read it again? It used to happen to me all the time when I was studying for exams. It can be really
In seasons of suffering, hope can be a difficult thing to hold on to and be fully convinced of. Seasons of hopefulness can turn into seasons of weariness, grief, doubt, and despair as suffering lingers. For years my husband and I have hoped to grow our family. But hope of
There we were, ready for a great dinner out with our friends. Then our waitress showed up. I don’t know if she was having a bad day or what, but she was not happy to be there. It started off with some shortness towards us, then some frustrated sighing, and
In the psychological world, I learned that one’s beliefs and cognitions influence behavior. I have found this theory and sentiment to be very true in my own life. For example, when I believe that I am a burden and that people do not care what I have to say,
Loss is something I have become very familiar with over the years. First, it was my dad, then my younger sister six months later . . . then my mom. I still remember each phone call I received, telling me I had yet again lost another family member. Within five