"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).In a few days, my grandmother will be 100 years old. Many in our family will be gathering at her bedside to cele...

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5).Many years ago, during a youth mission trip to Denver, we worked in a homeless shelter one afternoon. Our time there was punctuated by meal p...

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).Some years ago, I encountered a widow who refused to grieve her husband's death. It wasn't that this woman didn't love her husband, but she...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3)Many people today would describe themselves as spiritual-but-not-religious. Yet this can mean various things. Some might consider spi...

"Keep my teachings as the apple of your eye" (Prov. 7:2)As a teenager, I spent an inordinate amount of time playing basketball, and I had some wonderful coaches. One coach, who was deeply impactful in my l...

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock."In western Africa, there stands a dilapidated building overlooking the Atlantic ocean. The existing threshold of one doorway still stands. It is known as The Door of...

"May all of the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours!" (1 Cor. 1:2, The Message)When my son was younger, I coached in his basketball league. Back then, th...

Author's Note on Big Bible Words: Every once in awhile a pastor or teacher will use a big word to describe a biblical or theological concept. These words are usually at least three syllables and almost always e...

Author's Note on Big Bible WordsEvery once in a while, a pastor or teacher will use a big word to describe a biblical or theological concept. These words are usually at least three syllables and almost always e...

"Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you." (The Message)There is a Latin word—vacare—meaning "to call." This is the root from which we get our word vocation.Usually when we a...