The Lesson and Life — April 22, 2012

By Alan Ahlgrim    Everyone suffers; sometimes we even bring it on ourselves. When we eat or drink too much or live for too long on fast-forward, we usually pay a price. There is an undeniable link between sin and suffering. However, sometimes our sickness isn’t rooted in our personal sin, or even in our […]

The Lesson and Life — April 22, 2012

By Alan Ahlgrim    Jesus shocked a Samaritan woman by speaking directly to her. This was a remarkable, even unthinkable, departure from the social rules of the culture. No honorable man, much less a respected rabbi, would ever risk his reputation by doing such a thing.   Relationships Trump Rules Clearly, for Jesus relationships trump […]

The Lesson and Life–April 15, 2012

By Alan Ahlgrim    Toleration is the trademark of our time. Teachers are expected to tolerate the disrespect of their students. Parents are even expected to tolerate the disobedience of their children. Everyone is supposed to tolerate the immorality of the popular culture.   Culture Contradicting Jesus contradicted his culture with an open expression of […]