Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Security; Spiritual Warfare; Temptation; Threats; Watchfulness References: Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:1–13; Ephesians 6:10–18 The Hibernia oil platform in the North Atlantic is 189 miles southeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. The total structure is 246 yards high from ocean floor to the top of the derricks. Unlike the fated Ocean Ranger, a platform … Continue reading “AVOIDING
ICEBERGS”

Topics: Love; Rejection; Relationships; Success References: John 15:9–17; Romans 12:18 I was talking to my spiritual director about a deep spiritual grief. I kept telling him how woefully I must have failed someone I loved for that person to have wronged me so destructively. He said to me calmly, “Who are you to think you … Continue reading “GRIEVING
THE WRONG”

Topics: Assurance; Faith; Heaven; Hope; Resurrection; Trust References: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Hebrews 6:19; Revelation 21:3–5 I am a tremendous sports fan. Since many sporting events take place when I am not at home, I record them. When it’s time to sit in my easy chair and view the game, unlike most people, I don’t start … Continue reading “FLIPPING
TO THE END”

Topics: Growth; Ministry; Overcoming; Pain; Perspective; Suffering; Thankfulness; Weakness References: Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Philippians 2:12–13; James 1:2–4 Judy agreed to accompany me to Australia where I was to speak at a conference. I was thankful to enjoy a few weeks of my daughter’s company, and we excitedly planned our trip together. However, two … Continue reading “DON’T
WASTE THE PAIN”

Topics: Acceptance; Death; Grace; Grief; Love; Mercy; Parents References: Romans 5:20; 2 Peter 3:18 Fifty-five years ago, sitting up with you after midnight while the nurse rested, I watched you take your last breath. A few minutes before you died, you raised your head and said, “Which … way?” I understood that you were at … Continue reading “MARKING
THE CROSSING”

Topics: Empathy; Intimacy; Knowing God; Presence of God; Relationships References: Psalm 139:7; 1 John 3:18–20 My husband, Edward, is devoted to hawks, especially to the golden eagles that are returning to Georgia. Driving down the highway with him can be a test of nerves as he peers over the steering wheel at a particularly large … Continue reading “SEEING
EAGLES WITH EDWARD”

Topics: Fear; Focus; Spirituality; Vision; Worry Reference: Matthew 6:22–34 Tree-skiing may sound like a death wish, but some skiers love the risk of skiing virgin powder through a stand of aspen or spruce. The key, of course, is not hitting the trees. And that can be tricky. Even more so than in deep snow or … Continue reading “FINDING
THE EXITS”

Topics: Expectations; Kingdom of God; Repentance Reference: Mark 1:14–18 I once visited a village in the Madras diocese. There was no road into the village; you reached it by crossing a river, and you could do this either on the south side of the village or on the north. The congregation assumed I would come … Continue reading “LOOKING
THE WRONG WAY”

Topics: Comfort; Death; Easter; Hope; New Life; Resurrection Reference: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 My wife, Debbie, had the flu. When she didn’t get better, we went to the hospital for tests. The first thing the doctor said to Debbie was, “You’ve got some serious problems.” Debbie learned she had stomach cancer. Four months later, she passed … Continue reading “FINDING
RESURRECTION COMFORT”

Topics: Easter; Holy Week; Hope; Jesus Christ; Kingdom of God; Patience; Resurrection; Second Coming; Waiting on God References: John 20:1–18; Romans 8:18–25; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 Good Friday and Easter Sunday have earned names on the calendar. Yet in a real sense we live on Saturday, the day with no name. What the disciples experienced in … Continue reading “LIVING
IN THE SATURDAY”