The Probable vs. the Spiritual

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”—John 20:29

One day as I was returning from a prayer walk, I ran into an erudite neighbor—a longtime missionary—and we began to talk about a particularly vexing issue that was on my heart. I put on my Mr. Spock (more…)

It’s Not Your Job to Rebuke the Devil

But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”—Jude 1:9

Years ago, while I was in the thick of a trial that didn’t seem to go away, a friend gave what she felt was helpful advice. “Rebuke the devil!” (more…)

When Our Good Doesn’t Feel Good

 

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

Three years ago our younger dog, Pepper, was rescued off the street, where, it soon became clear, she had developed a fondness for paper. Once rescued, she would eat dirty tissues out of the garbage can (more…)

God Forbid – But God Permits

As a writer, I study people. I study the way they look and move and think and talk. (Yes, your quirk of pacing while you talk on the phone could show up in one of my characters.) And I only recently noticed a common behavior associated with the popular idiomatic expression “God forbid.”
I always hear that term when people broach the (more…)