You have been a pariah for more than a decade. Cries of “unclean!” and stares of condemnation follow you everywhere. The social isolation and loneliness add insult to injury. You’ve been bleeding for 12 years, and doctors have done nothing more than bleed your pocket dry.
You’re weak. You’re broken. You’re desperate. You have no money and have earned no sympathy.
But then (more…)
A desperate mother of a suffering child will stop at nothing to get help. She’ll seek out every expert, go any distance, and make every sacrifice to ensure her child is once again well and whole. Such a mother is singleminded and relentless. She remains a powerful and persistent force until someone finally attends to her plea for help.
That’s the story (more…)
Jesus looked at him and loved him.—Mark 10:21 (NIV)
As Jesus was wrapping up a visit to Judea, a young man commonly dubbed “the rich young ruler” ran up and knelt before Him to ask for the key to eternal life. Jesus cited some of the most common commandments—don’t murder, commit adultery, lie, cheat, or dishonor your parents—leaving the man feeling pretty (more…)