Earlier today, Friday, October 18, I overheard a radio talk show host describing an actor on a sitcom now airing its second season. Of the actor, the nationally syndicated host said, “He’s so GD funny.” GD. Did the popular, highly paid professional mean Groundhog’s Day, as in the actor…
Read MoreThen the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to…
Read MoreYears ago, the shoe company Nike came out with a successful, longstanding ad campaign with these three words: just do it. The gain of doing it—the physical training or pushing your body to be the best it can be—is self-directed. The self is important, oh yes. Do enjoy your…
Read MoreDeborah said to Barak, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. h…
Read MorePrayer Practice? This that a thing? Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.” — Daniel 6:9 You’re a grade schooler. There’s the basketball, the clarinet, or the…
Read MoreWe have all one, two or all three of the following. Health issues. Relationship stress. Financial woes. We just cannot see a way forward. In being stuck, which is not always a bad thing because a learning moment is upon us, we run to Jesus. Our prayers to Him…
Read MoreWhat do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” — Mark 10:51, NLT Bartimaeus was blind. He literally could not see. Ask yourself what you literally cannot see. What is out of our vision? Where are…
Read MoreHe sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” — Mark 9:35, NLT Maybe it was your stern grandfather who said this to you when you had a childhood crime…
Read More“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” — Mark 8:34b We can interpret the “cross” as a burden such as an unrewarding job, a physical illness, or some other unpleasant experience. With self-pitying…
Read MoreThey were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” — Mark 7:37, NLT Let’s be clear here. Jesus is the miracle worker. As you just read, He makes the…
Read MoreCopyright William Hagenbuch. All rights reserved.