I Hear the Call I hear the call to the highest peaks, The cry to the deepest trenches, And I fear the barren summits, And dread the darkest tempests. I know the Creator of the mountains, The Maker of the deep, And I trust the One who calls and guides To tend and […]
Does Scripture teach that we will be reunited with loved ones in the kingdom of heaven? When people say, “Daddy’s happy now. He’s with Mother again,” I just smile. I would dearly love to see my parents again, but I can’t think of where the Bible tells me so. Is there any basis for thinking […]
It’s 2021, and I bet you are as ready to leave 2020 behind as I am. But a new year doesn’t mean a new world. The confused, chaotic forces unveiled last year are challenges that remain. Our theme for this year is “Faithful.” We ask, what does it mean to be faithful in a decaying […]
The Bible says much about the subject of reconciliation. Through the blood of Christ, God forgave our sins and reconciled us to Him. But what happens when someone does wrong to us? We can gain insight through the story of Jacob and Esau. Family conflicts Long ago, there were twin brothers born to parents who […]
My mother-in-law, Linda Whitney (Grandma Linda, to my kids) had more questions than most teens her age in the 1950s. She loved and respected her parents, but at times she wasn’t sure whether she agreed with their beliefs. Linda’s mom, Vernettie Jones, had a houseful of kids, so there wasn’t much time for them to […]
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11, 12). I have been doing ministry as a follower of Jesus ever since coming to faith as a fifteen-year-old. Team ministry, as Paul describes […]
History will recall 2020 as the year like no other. Its global pandemic, economic recession, and civil unrest over racial injustice are unlike anything seen in modern times. This calls for pause and reflection, especially on the part of Christians. Because we are salt and light in the world, our actions should cause people to […]
Most of us have a favorite verse of Scripture and, if asked, could tell why we like that text a lot. Could we also explain how the verses just before and after our favorite impact and help unpack its full meaning? Without revealing its location yet, I’ll tell you my favorite verse for today and […]
When I heard that the Bible Advocate was spending a year on the Ministry of Reconciliation, I was thrilled. Some of my first Christian thoughts were those of reconciliation. Today, after seven years as a pastor, I still think we need to hear this message and spread it with the greatest resolve. I base my […]
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior […]
