Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. —Luke 15:18 Anna, Fyodor Dostoyevski’s wife, knew he was near death and called the children in. “[T]aking our hands in his,” wrote Dostoyevski’s daughter, Aimee, “he begged my mother to read the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” With faltering […]
The Father Rejoices Read More »
[T]his son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. —Luke 15:24 Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevski was twenty-eight when he was sentenced to ten years of exile in Siberia. The prison camp was dreadfully depressing: “the prisoners stink like pigs,” he
Dostoyevski and the Prodigal Son Read More »
Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! —John 1:29 Abraham carried the fire. Isaac carried the wood. “Father,” said Isaac, “the fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb?” For centuries, the question that bewildered believers was, “Where
Where is the Lamb? Read More »
Look, the Lamb of God! —John 1:36 William Cowper was haunted by the guilt of sin: “My sin! My sin! Oh, for some fountain open for my cleansing!” he cried. One morning he picked up his Bible, randomly opened it and read: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that
There is a Fountain Read More »
University freshman Ben Byrum was lonely. Ben had been to a nearby church a few times but didn’t feel connected or wanted. He decided to go one more time. He would walk in and sit down. If no one spoke to him before the service started, he would walk out and not return. A countdown
Make Someone’s Day Read More »
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you. —Isaiah 41:10 Margie Warrell, author of Stop Playing It Safe, writes: “Using the latest brain imaging technologies, researchers have been able to prove that we human beings are neurologically wired to over-estimate the size of risks, under-estimate our ability to
The Missing Ingredient Read More »
[I]n God I trust; I will not be afraid. —Psalm 56:4 God can change us, but won’t do it without our consent and cooperation. Clean out the garbage in the garage; take the negative junk to the dumpster. Purge the closets; get rid
Let’s Write a Prayer Together Read More »
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him. —Psalm 37:5 Behavioral scientists assert that we see things that we’ve conditioned ourselves to see. If you’ve disciplined yourself to see God in control, that’s what you will see—and you’ll be pleasant
Worry Won’t Share Space with Faith Read More »
Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? —Genesis 18:25 Do you believe God is in charge: all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful? That’s a “yes” or “no” question, not a question with conditions attached: not, “Well, yes I believe that . .
Do You Believe This? Read More »
Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. —Matthew 14:27 To Abram, God said, “Do not be afraid . . . I am your shield” (Gn 15:1). To Joshua, God said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”
