There are a few problems to resolve with this statement of Jesus. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take …
The Other Giant That David Faced
Perhaps more difficult than facing Goliath or conquering fierce enemies on the battlefield, David could not flee from David. Do you ever feel that way? You can be your own worst enemy. Understanding this, however, helps you in many ways. You won’t blame others for your problems. You won’t walk around with a beam in our eye, picking the specks …
Trust God More than Government
Daniel trusted God more than government, and he lived to tell his grandchildren about the lions. The Bible says, “No wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23). Daniel was lifted out of the lions’ den unharmed. Not because his government rescued him. Not because his government adopted his beliefs. Not because his government …
A Problem with Problems
Being prepared to fix something, whether it’s a tech problem, a health problem, a relationship problem or any problem, means identifying the real problem—which may not be the problem that first gets your attention. A screen that keeps slapping you with a nasty error message has a problem but it’s not the error message itself. That’s just letting you know …
The Other Giant That David Faced
Perhaps more difficult than facing Goliath or conquering fierce enemies on the battlefield, David could not flee from David. Do you ever feel that way? You can be your own worst enemy. Understanding this, however, helps you in many ways. You won’t blame others for your problems. You won’t walk around with a beam in our eye, picking the specks …
How to Handle Cliques
How do you handle cliques? Your 4th grader comes home from school quiet and gloomy. You ask about his day, and discover that his usual friends were hanging out together at recess but didn’t invite him. The company softball team seems like they have their own set of rules at work, like leaving the office early every night they have …
How Should I Pray about the Middle East?
It was the worst day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. On October 7, 2023 Israel endured a deadly surprise attack by Hamas. 250 Israeli hostages were taken and more than 1,300 killed. American Christians are tempted to be overzealous or under-concerned about it. First, we might take an extreme position that is either pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian, stepping away from …
Some People Don’t Want Our Prayers
Thoughts and prayers. Some people find them valuable, while others would actually pay to avoid them. A recent study found that Christians generally value the offer of thoughts and prayers, even from a stranger. Who doesn’t need prayer? Two sociologists studied a group of North Carolina residents in the fall of 2018 after Hurricane Florence struck. They talked with more …
Why Trees Hold Their Breath
Scientists accidentally discovered trees in the Rocky Mountains holding their breath. Trees have pores on the surface of their leaves. These pores function much like human mouths. However, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, while trees inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. A research team was measuring photosynthesis in Ponderosa pines—not related to wildfires. One morning, as they set …
What You Do with Your Body Matters
What you do with your body matters. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself …