A Simple Picture of the Appalachian Trail
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; – 1 Timothy 4:4 I parked my van at a large parking near the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee. As I usually did, I reviewed my backpack’s contents to ensure I had enough food and water for […]
John Cardillo: A Humble Life Of Christian Service
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:3-4 Ten years ago, I was helping out at a large Methodist church in New Jersey. One Saturday morning, the church had a […]
Becoming A Victor And Not A Victim
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once, the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. – John 5:8-9 One of my favorite things to read is stories about people who overcome difficult life circumstances. These people choose to be Victors and not Victims despite the odds. […]
The Christmas Spirit
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14 Over two thousand years ago, Jesus arrived on earth. As the Son of God, he was both human and divine. A simple […]
Caiaphas and the Art of Critical Thinking
“Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. – John 11:43-44 Miraculously, Lazarus emerged from his death tomb, saved by Jesus. Many of those who witnessed this event turned to believing in the power of Jesus. But some did not and […]
Dr. Elkins and “He arose”
Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. – Romans 8:34 While in Theological school, I took a course on Sunday worship. The professor, Dr. Heather Elkins, a kind and wise woman, was always a favorite professor. I enjoyed taking […]
Accuracy of the New Testament
“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” – John 21:25 I am frequently asked about the historical accuracy of the four Gospels. Over the years, skeptics have said they […]
Prayer Is Asking, Observing, and Acting!
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 In writing my new book, Gideon: God’s Mighty Man of Valor, I became intrigued with how continuously Gideon prayed and how connected he was with God. It wasn’t just how often Gideon […]
Living a Life Worthy of God
…encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 Around 50 AD, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a church in Thessalonica that he had founded just three months earlier. The letter today is called 1st Thessalonians in the New Testament. The letter’s purpose was to instruct those in the church to not give […]
Giving Brings Joy
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2nd Corinthians 9:11 Through the amazing blessing of Zoom, I was able to talk with a close friend, Tracey, while she was serving the homeless in Atlantic City. Using her phone, she tied into […]