by Laura L. Bradford “Grandma’s weird,” I muttered as I sat alone on our lawn, mindlessly plucking blades of grass. As a seven-year-old, I couldn’t understand why Grandma behaved so differently from other adults, particularly my mother. For one, whenever Grandma had an opportunity to sit down, she read a book called the Bible. Then […]

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by Sarah Schwerin With my head bowed and eyes shut tight, the lady next to me grasped my hand and prayed. “Dear Lord, thank You for the wonderful plan you have for Sarah’s future. Help her wait on You.” No breeze blew through the camp meeting’s open-air building, and sweat trickled down my back. Yet […]

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Christian apologetics for Eastern religions. by J. C. Walz In many Eastern cultures, harmony is treated as a moral good of the highest order. Peace is protected, conflict is avoided, and social balance is carefully maintained. When something threatens that balance, silence commonly feels wiser than dispute. Yet harmony can hide danger. The Bible consistently […]

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Things Jesus didn’t (and wouldn’t) say. by Stephen R. Clark I love a good quote. Especially about writing. One of my favorites is from Peter De Vries: “I love being a writer. What I can’t stand is the paperwork.” Witty, humorous, and inspirational quotes from well-known or barely known people can be fun to share […]

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by Francisco Banda III What would happen if we as Christians would do the unthinkable — something that those in Christian circles would consider socially unacceptable or against Scripture? My daughter, Ruth, began college a year ago. It is her first time being away from home and living on her own, so our prayers were […]

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Bethlehem and beyond. by Dorothy Nimchuk Many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17). The road to Bethlehem had been long, but Joseph had been so caring. Any discomforts along the way and the […]

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by Denise Kohlmeyer On July 4, 2001, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl at 11:46 p.m. Ironically, my doctor had to be called down from the roof of the hospital two hours beforehand because he’d been watching the local fireworks. While my “firecracker” daughter dislikes sharing this patriotic holiday with millions of people […]

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by Mike Wallace Somehow, Thomas missed the call and did not make the meeting. It had been a tumultuous week, ending in the crucifixion of his friend and mentor, Jesus. Jerusalem was in an uproar, and the few disciples who followed Jesus had gone into hiding, locking themselves in a room to discuss the situation. […]

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by Stephen R. Clark “Ah, patience. It’s a virtue!” So common wisdom proclaims. The dictionary says a virtue is honorable behavior. So far, it sounds good. Even Proverbs 19:11 ties patience and virtue together, declaring, “A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.” It seems patience is a worthy […]

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by Denise Kohlmeyer I love problems that have a black-and-white answer, because I don’t have to think too hard about what’s the right thing to do. Do I tell the truth or lie to my boss about why I didn’t get that report done on time? Do I step on the gas pedal and speed […]

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by Sarah Schwerin My mom, a pastor’s wife, once told me a story about one of the many churches she and my dad served. Every week, the church held a dinner before the Wednesday evening service. The meal was simple but filling — hearty soups, sandwiches, and casseroles. When the church began hosting the meals, […]

The post A Bowl of Mercy appeared first on Bible Advocate.

by Leslie Williams “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). In the bustling emergency room of a metropolitan hospital, Dr. Sarah Patterson moves swiftly between patients, her practiced hands bringing healing to bodies broken by accident, illness, or violence. But beyond the medical procedures and prescriptions, she carries something more […]

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