Communism kept half of Europe locked up for much of the 20th century. For 75 years, the oppressive system took most freedoms away from its ordinary citizens. The political system, responsible for tens of millions of deaths, seemed almost indestructible.    Then, almost suddenly, the system built on restricting freedom just collapsed. The end came so quickly that all the most experienced analysts and diplomats were caught off guard.    How did that amazing turnaround happen?    It didn’t happen with guns and tanks and planes. Not a single missile silo was opened. I ..read more

Jenna stopped in her tracks, sighing in frustration as she bent down to pick yet another rock out of her shoe. “Why on earth am I suddenly picking up rocks every time I walk the dog,” she wondered.    They finished their usual route, and at home, Jenna slipped off her shoes and discovered the problem: she’d worn down those old slip-ons for so long that she wore a hole right through the soles of both shoes!      Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to ..read more

Humans were built for language and communication.    It’s one of the bits of creative genius God used when He formed His highest creation. And apart from regular communication, whether it’s the written word or verbal, we have a great gift from a loving God: prayer.   Prayer is an intensely personal way to communicate with our Creator, the One who knows everything about us.   Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you.”   All through scripture, we see that God is available to us all the time. No regular hours or stand ..read more

In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidence for the existence of God is so numerous in nature that anyone can believe in God. Surely one of the most compelling examples is in our night sky. When we look up at the heavens, it takes our breath away. The twinkling lights are like our own personal message from God.   All those stars…   Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.”   Astronomers tell us that each star is as unique as we are. We can see some burning dramatically, others are smaller but no less beautiful. All those infinite numbers dot the black bac ..read more

When we look at the amazing diversity all around us in nature, we see that no detail escaped God’s attention. He created all things to live in harmony.   That includes our individual physical bodies. He intends for us to be healthy and whole—mind, body, and soul.   Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”   In order to fully serve God, we can’t neglect anything. So that we can be a faithful witness of His love and sacrifice, we gotta take care of ourselves, includ ..read more

Have you ever spent time out in the country? If you’re used to the noise of city life—neighbors coming and going, traffic, dogs barking...then spending a few nights in the country can feel almost too quiet.   A brilliant sunrise without buildings to block the view, the most stars you’ve ever seen shining across the night sky, and a unique feeling of peace can all be found in the country, if you get the chance to enjoy these simple pleasures.   Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”   Sometimes God ..read more

We live in an amazing world of rich diversity. In nature, we see almost countless stunning animal species. We linger on pictures of beautiful landscapes. And different cultures give us amazing experiences.   There are also many different religions. Some of them offer a measure of peace. Some have reflections that can help us be better people. Today we’re talking about salvation, and that is one thing only Jesus offers. That’s a harsh thing to say in this day and age, but if we are true to God’s Word, we affirm it.   Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through ..read more

Have you ever talked to someone who doubted the existence of God? Someone who says God couldn’t have created everything in our world?    Watch that same someone stare in wonder at a mountain range like the Rockies, the delicate bloom of a flower, or a sunset on a beach in Greece. It’s pretty hard to deny God in such a moment.    In fact, all throughout scripture, we’re told that God’s majesty is seen in our natural surroundings. He made everything. Literally—all matter. He created the conditions for a waterfall, the light of the moon and the stars, and the horses that gallo ..read more

Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all.   Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”   This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man’s raw honest heart for God, and a universal theme of love that God has for all people.   It echoes in the universe.   Think of the picture that God is painting here for us.   We are bone wea ..read more

One of the things that sets God apart from all others is His ability to tell us what is going to happen. We read about this in Isaiah 46, where He says only He knows the end from the beginning.   An amazing example of this is found in Psalm 22, and it’s almost surprising how many people are not aware of it.   Psalm 22:11 says, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”   If you read the entire chapter carefully, you begin to realize that this is a conversation that Jesus had on the cross.   This psalm was written a thousand years before that w ..read more