Women of the Bible: The Syrophoenician Woman

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…)

God Didn’t Kill Jesus

God killed Jesus. That’s what some people who stand in opposition to the gospel are saying. According to their teaching, this makes God a cosmic child abuser not worthy of their worship, assuming He is real.

But there are two serious flaws with their reasoning. 

First, Jesus is God. He always has been, and He always will be. 

In the beginning was the Word, (more…)

Speaking Truth to Power

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You discern my thoughts from afar.—Psalm 139:1-2 (ESV)

Our society has clung to the idea of speaking truth to power in an effort to effect change. The term often is used in the face of perceived oppression or powerlessness. What if the powers to (more…)

What I’m Giving Up for Lent

My husband typically thinks of himself as an Eeyore to my Tigger. He likes to expect the worst so he can be pleasantly surprised if something good happens, while I sometimes nauseate even myself with what one loved one calls my “joyful positivity.”

But lately he’s pointed out my attitude has taken a downturn. “When did you become so negative?” he has (more…)

Seven Things You May Not Know About Yourself

As I minister to people or as I share their stories in my role as a journalist, I’ve come to recognize people seldom see themselves as they truly are. I may or may not know you, but I may know a few things about you that perhaps you don’t know about yourself. 

  • First, you are more loved than you can comprehend. (more…)