It may well have been King David’s darkest hour. The security of his kingdom was unraveling around him. His own son, Absalom, was essentially taking over the empire through a bloody coup. People were deserting the king left and right, cursing him everywhere he went. It appeared all was lost, and that David had nothing left. Until READ MORE
Brokenness
The Awful Pattern of Sin-Management
A simple review of the center of John’s gospel account gives us a glimpse into the awful drama of sin-management: Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary READ MORE
Values for the Disciple
Mark 7:31-37 offers a striking moment in which to grapple with some important values for every disciple of Jesus. To begin with, consider the story, as told from Mark’s perspective: Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they READ MORE
Desperate for a Touch of Hope?
Jesus life and ministry foils everything that we know. Where there is darkness he brings light. Where there is death he brings life. Where there is fear he brings peace. Where there is contempt he brings compassion. We could go on and on. Mark 5:21-43 vividly continue this theme (click on the link and read READ MORE
Doing Good; Planning Harm
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on READ MORE
Authority to Forgive
The refreshing water of healing and cleansing that we need is only provided by the God who comes to us in Jesus Christ. READ MORE