The Patience of . . . Noah?

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came on the earth—Genesis 7:5-6

When we think about a biblical role model for patience, our minds naturally go to Job, the character who inspired the saying “the patience of Job.” Few of us would have remained so steadfast in the face of so much loss. (more…)

Glory in Suffering

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. – John 11:5-6

I’ve talked before about those precious Jobian friends who are quick to point an accusing finger in our times of suffering. Surely we’re suffering because of our sin, they tell us. (more…)

The Probable vs. the Spiritual

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”—John 20:29

One day as I was returning from a prayer walk, I ran into an erudite neighbor—a longtime missionary—and we began to talk about a particularly vexing issue that was on my heart. I put on my Mr. Spock (more…)

Stretched But Not Broken

When my boys were little, one of them had a toy called Stretch Armstrong. And yes, Stretch stretched, across the room, down the hallway, from the top bunk to the bottom—until my son broke him. We put a colorful bandage on Stretch’s leg, and stretched Stretch less after that.

We all eventually find our breaking point when we’re overextended. Lately I’ve wondered (more…)

Don’t Lose Your Muchness

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.—Luke 12:48

The late Robert Kennedy of the famed and privileged Kennedy clan often quoted that verse to his family. Given much, they demanded much of themselves. The family viewed public service as its way of giving back.

People (more…)