Mrs. Sarah was the matriarch of the church I attended as a teenager. During prayer meeting, when confronted with a need that seemed overwhelming, she’d often exclaim, “Lawd have mercy!” “He does,” her husband would respond. “He does.” God’s mercy runs like a silver thread throughout the Scriptures. The English word appears some 341 times. […]
“Taste.” I extended a fork toward my husband. He shook his head. “No thanks.” I couldn’t blame him. The last time I experimented with a new recipe, the result was disastrous. Some people enjoy trying new foods. Each taste is an experience to savor, even if the dish isn’t completely successful. Others are more reluctant […]
Why did Jesus fast? When Jesus joined John in the wilderness of Judea, two surprising events occurred. He was baptized by John in the Jordan River then the Spirit of God drove him into the wilderness to meet the devil. We might expect Jesus to join John in a preaching campaign to lead Israel to […]
My soul shall be joyful in the Lord (Psalm 35:9, King James Version). Have you ever met someone whose morning personality was so bubbly and joyful that you asked what he ordered at Starbucks? Then you wonder how Christians can possibly experience joy in the midst of trials, like unemployment, loss of health, or family […]
Jesus, the apostles, and the early church often taught about and demonstrated how to live generously. It was a priority for them, because without it, the church could not and cannot carry out Christ’s mission and vision. One day in the temple, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched […]
