The Beauty of Restoration

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)—Colossians 4:10 (NIV)

In Acts 13, we meet John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, Paul’s friend and partner in spreading the gospel. But our first impression of Mark isn’t a good one.

From Paphos, Paul and (more…)

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

A quirky story caught my attention as I listened to the news. John Hinckley Jr., the man who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, has begun posting love songs on YouTube. The songs are amateurish, but they’re a big improvement over attempting an assassination. 

Then the anchor said something that struck me to the core, something to the effect of, “He can’t (more…)

Remember Your Calling

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.—Colossians 4:17

If you’ve been reading the Bible for a while, you’ll be familiar with the phenomenon through which a verse you’ve read many times suddenly jumps out at you or takes on new significance. Call it a spiritual face palm. That was (more…)

Your Will Be Done

Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:10

We pious types like to throw around the notion that we pray according to God’s will, but do we really? Do we voluntarily sign up to be afflicted, to see loved ones taken from us, or to face hunger or hardship because of some greater (more…)