Laughter

I know, I know—”life is serious business.” If I hear that one more time, I think I’ll gag. I fully realize that too much humor can become offensive. I recognize that it can be taken to such an extreme that it is inappropriate. But doesn’t it seem we have a long way to go before we are guilty of that problem? The final result of a joyless existence is sad—a superhigh-level intensity

My Redeemer Lives!

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. —Job 19:25 (NLT) Too often Christians try to take the hideousness out of death. In doing so, however, we cut short the grieving process. We’re so eager to rush to the end and show the hope […]

After the Avalanche, Part Two

Could it be that you are beginning to feel the nick of falling rocks? Maybe the avalanche has already fallen and you’re more than a little desperate. Job is our model for staying faithful when life is reduced to rubble. How’d he do it? Let’s take a look. First, Job claimed God’s loving sovereignty. He sincerely believed that the Lord who gave had every right to take away (Job 1:21).

After the Avalanche, Part One

Job could write about wounds. His words were more than patronizing platitudes and armchair proverbs. He’d been there and back again. He could describe intense inner suffering in the first person because of his own sea of pain. Step into the time tunnel with me and let’s travel together back to Uz (not like the wizard of ___, but like the land of __).

Lifelines

I’m writing these words [originally] soon after my birthday. No big deal . . . just another stabbing realization that I’m not getting any younger. I know that because the cake won’t hold all the candles. Even if it could the frosting would melt before I’d be able to blow all of them out. My kind and thoughtful secretary reminded me of another approach I could take.

After the Avalanche

JOB UNDERSTOOD WOUNDS. The words he used to describe them were more than patronizing platitudes and theoretical proverbs. He’d been there and back again. He could write about intense inner suffering in the first person because of his own massive ocean of pain. No one would deny that the man called Job was “the greatest of all the men of the east” (Job 1:3, KJV).

Blessed

Did you read that too quickly? The end of verse 9? Mark it. “The LORD accepted.” And then, “The LORD restored.” End of verse 10, “The LORD increased.” Beginning of verse 12, “The LORD blessed.” Those are words of grace—statements of divine favor.

Choose God’s Will

A major goal of wholesome, healthy Christians is the hope of reaching maturity before death overtakes us. I will tell you without hesitation that one of my major goals in life is to grow up as I grow older.

Staying Young

I‘d like to offer several tips on how to stay young. Number one: Your mind isn’t old, keep developing it. Watch less television and read more. Spend time with people who talk about events and ideas rather than sitting around a shop talking about people.

Found Faithful

If you return to Job 1:3, you can read what Job originally owned. He had 7,000 sheep, and he winds up with 14,000. So his flocks grow as he feeds them and breeds them. Their numbers increase to twice the original flock.

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