Focal passage: Isaiah 23:8-18 “Why does it matter what I do, or even if I pray? God is going to do whatever He wants anyway!” Maybe you have heard such a statement or made it yourself. Such a statement illustrates a view known as “determinism,” meaning that God has foreordained every thought, action and outcome by His sovereign decree... read more

Focal Passages: Exodus 20:13; 1 Samuel 26:7-11, 22-25 Oct. 6, 2015, is a day I will never forget. It is the day I saw my daughter for the first time. She was only a little dot in that ultrasound picture, yet I knew she was a human... read more

Focal passage: Isaiah 7:7-17 “We will go tomorrow, I promise.” How many times have you said something like that to your children? In some cases, the statement may have been more of a diversion than a declaration, simply to get them off your back, at least for the moment, about something they wanted to do... read more

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:12; 2 Samuel 15:7-14 Funerals bring out the best and worst in families. One thing funerals often have in common is a time when a child speaks about their deceased parent. Normally they talk about his or her life, career and funny stories... read more