Life This Side of Heaven

In the world of international relations, ambassadors often wore diplomatic uniforms. This attire was resplendent with each individual nation’s unique culture, tradition and symbolism.  But there is o…

The devil works hard to separate you from God's precious gift to you of a Savior and your salvation in Him. The goal of his attacks is to have you forget what Jesus had done for you and the forgivene…

After a full day of healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God and God's eternal rescue from sin, the Pharisees complained that the disciples didn't wash their hands. This had nothing to do with hygi…

The Great Pottery Throw Down is a British television competition that has become hugely popular. Each week a selection of Britain's best home potters compete to become champion ‘of the pottery.’ How…

One of the best-known, and well-loved, of the flowers that bloom each year in late Spring is one called the Bleeding Heart. A "bleeding heart" is also a popular adjective used to describe someone wh…

Submit!  That’s something one kid might say to another if they’re having a fight. One kid will pin another to ground, sit on them, or bend their arm behind their back – to make them stop resisting an…

The image of dying, and walking toward a blinding light in the distance, has become a popular staple of our culture. It shows up in popular movies and even a video that swept social media and which s…

What is your favorite aroma? Is it the smell of the burning wood from an August campfire? What about the scent of a sizzling steak on the barbecue?  Do you prefer the puff of perfume or the cologne w…

"I've had enough." You can hear the distress in Elijah’s words. The Hebrew word for “enough” in this text is an adverb meaning “much.”  And ironically, the idioms we use in English, to describe this …

The Israelites did it repeatedly. Job did it. So did Jonah. Come to think of it, so did Elijah. And when the disciples were be tossed about in a boat during a storm at sea they did it too. When …

When’s the last time you checked the expiration dates on your food? Have your ever grabbed something from your pantry and discovered that it’s probably no longer good? Here in John’s Gospel, Jesus ha…

Two weeks ago, folks woke up around the globe and were faced with what's come to be known as the "Blue Screen of Death." As one expert told reporters at NBC, “Pretty much anybody, regardless of thei…

"It's a ghost!" Now, as you heard from Mark that the disciples cried out with these words, do you find yourself shaking your head?  It sure seems out of place! What on earth would make the disciple…

Are you planning to have a barbecue this weekend?  If you are, then here’s something you’ll want to consider:  Have you got enough food? After the crowds had spent the day hearing Jesus proclaim the …

Drovers. Do you know those are? Chances are good you do if you've ever watched a cowboy movie. And if you have, you know that there are good ones and bad ones. One drives the sheep and cattle of…