“A People Restored”: Zechariah the Prophet
Have you ever known of someone only to be completely surprised by them when you met them for the first time? Sometimes we get an idea that someone is a great person, only to be disappointed. At other times, we might discover that someone famous is humble and are surprised when he or she seems …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: The Temple Was Rebuilt
If you haver ever purchased a new car or a new house, you know about upgrades. You start with the base price, but then you are presented with a series of optional upgrades. Before long, your total price has ballooned, but you have justified it because it is such a long-term purchase and your monthly …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: The Captives Came Home
Every once in a while, my wife, Tara, will ask me why I love her. She knows that I love her, but what her soul craves to hear and know more deeply is why I do. My answer will generally focus on two areas: her character and her behavior. I love her for who she …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: Obadiah the Prophet
I was bitter and I knew it. Shortly after college, I joined the staff of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ at the time). After attending a summer staff training, I returned to Baltimore to raise financial support—a process that was far too slow for my liking. I moved back home with my parents (but not …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: Daniel’s Dream
You don’t need to be active on Twitter to know that people today are deeply divided over politics. I want to add “more than ever” but that sounds like hyperbole. It does seem that there are more arguments and divisions because of politics today, but these things are not new. Perhaps it is just more …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: Jesus Was Born (Christmas)
This week we celebrate the Son of God—Creator God—wrapping Himself in His creation and being born as a human. The incarnation of Jesus is a critical part of the gospel story and one that we are quite familiar with—perhaps too familiar sometimes. Let me encourage you not to rush through your prep this week. Take …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Few of us have experienced a Hollywood-type rescue, such as being hostages in a bank robbery to be rescued by a SWAT team or stuck on a deserted island with some shipping packages to be rescued by a passing ship. But we have all been rescued in some way or another, such as being stranded …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
I have a confession. Every once in a while I will go online to try to determine the sales rankings of Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry, Cornerstones, and Cornerstones: Parent Guide. (Which, by the way, you can purchase here, here, and here.) I wrote those books to serve the church, and that is one way to see …
Continue Reading“A People Restored”: The Fiery Furnace
I recently listened to Lynn Olson’s audiobook, Last Hope Island. Olson tells the fascinating story of how political leaders (and some military personnel as well) from all over Europe escaped to England during World War II to continue to fight the Nazis in exile. One story, though, stood out to me above the others. During …
Continue Reading“A Nation Divided”: Ezekiel Gave Hope
I have a riding lawn mower that has often given me problems in the past. I would go out to mow my lawn, sit down on the mower, turn the key, and nothing would happen. No revs, no clicks, nothing. Just silence. I went through a couple of mowing seasons when I was perplexed by …
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