Consider this

          I am always skeptical of “quick fixes” or “one answer fits all” solutions.   However, I think I have found one thing that could change your life, your relationships and maybe even your eternity.               We see this “one thing” in Acts 24.   In this chapter, Paul is defending his teaching to a Roman governor named Felix.   Paul spoke about “Faith in Christ Jesus… righteousness, self-control and judgment to come” (verses 24 and 25) and, as he did, Felix became afraid and told Paul to stop.   Actually, he said, “That’s enough for now!   You may leave.   When I find it convenient, I will send for you” (verse 25).            The word I want you focus on in that sentence is the word “convenient”.    We like that word because it sounds sort of nice, easy and fun.   It is always best to do things when you want to and when things suit you, right?               The problem with doing things when it is convenient is that it is never convenient!   We never get to a p

             When listening to music with my kids, I will often say, “What was that line?” Sometimes, one word, or one line, understood correctly, changes my whole understanding of the song.               That can happen with scripture too.   In fact, it happened to me this past weekend.    A guy named Steve Bell was about to sing a song taken from a story in John chapter eight.    Just before he started, he pointed out one thing that changed the whole story for me.   Before I give you the insight that he shared, let me share the details of the story.             Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem when a group of religious leaders brought a woman to him and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”   They did this as a way to trap him.   If Jesus said, “Let her go!” they could accuse him of not being faithful to the old teaching.   If he said, “Stone her”, of course, that would

            As I returned from my annual pilgrimage to the “Majestic’s Car Show” in Regina over the weekend, Sara asked, “So, how was your day?”             “It was fun”, I responded.   “I had a good time with the guys and there was a lot of cool stuff there, especially at the swap meet.”                Then it started.   “I wish, though, that I could have visited with this one drag racer guy.   I had some questions for him, but he was too busy to talk.   And it would have been better if this silly snow was gone, so I could have ridden the motorcycle up there.   Oh, speaking of motorcycles, when we got to the motorcycle shop, it was closed.   That was sad!   I got to see my brother, my nephew and a couple of good buddies, but I didn’t really have a lot of time to visit with them.   And then….”             Why do we do that?   Why do we feel the need to point out all the things that were “wrong” or the things that we did not like?   I hear it all the time.   Whether talkin

            “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse:   Grace and peace to you from God our Father” (Colossians 1:1-2).             In some ways, this is a standard greeting for letters in New Testament times.   For example, it was customary to begin with the name of the writer (you did not want to have unroll the entire scroll just to see the signature at the end).   It was also customary to address the recipients by name.   However, if you look again, you will see some non-standard thoughts that are well worth noticing.             For example, I love the confidence that Paul displayed when he, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote phrases like, “An apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” and “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse”.    Some versions of the Bible, such as the “King James Version” actually translate that last phrase to say, “To the saints and fait

            In order to be successful in most areas of life, whether playing a game, paying your taxes, driving down the street or baking a cake, it is necessary know the rules and how things work.             That basic principle is clearly on display in the book of Exodus.   As God prepares to lead his people out of their slavery in Egypt, he makes sure that they have the “baseline knowledge” that they need.   In fact, he communicates it to them in two ways:   First he shows them and then he tells them.   The “showing” part is one of my favourite stories.             “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites… Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.   So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his