Life This Side of Heaven

In the world of international relations, ambassadors often wore diplomatic uniforms. This attire was resplendent with each individual nation’s unique culture, tradition and symbolism.  But there is one adornment that was not a part of the diplomatic uniforms of any nation – chains. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul described himself as “an ambassador in chains.” Amazingly, he didn't bemoan this situation. He recognized that even when...

After a full day of healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God and God's eternal rescue from sin, the Pharisees complained that the disciples didn't wash their hands. This had nothing to do with hygiene. What they were referring to was the their custom of ceremonial washing. Now, as you hear this, you may be thinking to yourself, “Well, how ridiculous!”  And you would be right!  Instead of focusing on the outpouring of God’s love a...

The Great Pottery Throw Down is a British television competition that has become hugely popular. Each week a selection of Britain's best home potters compete to become champion ‘of the pottery.’ However, despite all of the skills displayed, and all of the different types of pots are created, there is one thing that remains consistent.  None of the pots formed themselves.  There are no “self-made pots.” Here’s what makes God’s ques...

One of the best-known, and well-loved, of the flowers that bloom each year in late Spring is one called the Bleeding Heart. A "bleeding heart" is also a popular adjective used to describe someone who is sympathetic to the poor and suffering. Here in the Psalms, the David describes a “broken heart.”  When you find yourself brokenhearted, crushed in spirit because of your sins, God directs your attention to a bleeding hea...

Submit!  That’s something one kid might say to another if they’re having a fight. One kid will pin another to ground, sit on them, or bend their arm behind their back – to make them stop resisting and give up.    Which makes you raise you eyebrow then when Paul uses this term here in Ephesians. On the surface, the, the word ‘submit’ sounds like something that someone does only when they’re forced. But there’s actually a good and g...

When’s the last time you checked the expiration dates on your food? Have your ever grabbed something from your pantry and discovered that it’s probably no longer good? Here in John’s Gospel, Jesus had just miraculously fed a very large crowd that had come out to hear Him preach. Many were looking simply for another meal. Jesus told them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of ...

Two weeks ago, folks woke up around the globe and were faced with what's come to be known as the "Blue Screen of Death." As one expert told reporters at NBC, “Pretty much anybody, regardless of their level of computer savviness, knows that when you see that traditional old-school Blue Screen of Death, something has gone very badly wrong.” In Noah's day, when the skies clouded up and the rain began, it was abundantly evi...

Are you planning to have a barbecue this weekend?  If you are, then here’s something you’ll want to consider:  Have you got enough food? After the crowds had spent the day hearing Jesus proclaim the Good news of salvation, it must have seemed reasonable to the disciples to ask Him to now send them on their way to find something to eat. It must have left them, at first, with a pit in their stomach as He told them, "You give the...