C. S. Lewis remarked that there are only two prayers in the universe: “My will be done” and “Thy will be done.” Everything we pray fits into one of those two categories. I know from long experience that it’s not easy to sincerely pray “Thy will be done.” Like most people, I would prefer that my will be don…
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). There are 11 words in the text, but only one of them is important for our purposes. It’s the little word “as.” Everything hangs on the meaning of that word. “As” is the conjunction that joins the first half of the petition with the…
This week’s prayer update focuses on the KBM Philippines Project. We’ve attempted to give you a day by day guide for praying for us during the next 2 ½ weeks. We appreciate and depend on your prayer support while we’re away and can’t wait to give you a report of what God is doing in the Philippines when we return.We p…
Fernando Ortega performs a moving rendition of the hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” based on a poem attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century. With the season of Lent upon us, it is good to spend time contemplating the death of our Lord. …
“What is truth?” (John 18:38).Sometimes a question tells you all you need to know. With those three words Pontius Pilate revealed his own vacillating nature. Although he knows Jesus is innocent of any crime under Roman law, he dare not appear weak in the eyes of the Jewish leaders. When Jesus said, “Everyone on the side of truth l…
“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (Matthew 11:2-3).Some people have trouble with the concept that a Christian could ever entertain serious doubts. But there are whole books of the Bible that deal with the i…
We wrap up my week on American Family Radio with a Friday doubleheader. In the first hour we will be talking to Crystal Bowman, author of the children’s book “The House in the Middle of Town.” The book came to life in an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition last October.During the second hour noted radio host J.J. Jasper will…
“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell” (Matthew 5:30). If these words sound both severe and unnatural, then we have understood them correctly. Before saying anything to lessen their impact, we need to take them …
Here’s the lineup for today’s radio from 10 AM-12 Noon Central Time: 1st hour: Interview with Steve Monsma, author of “Healing for a Broken World,” subtitled “Christian perspectives on public policy.”2nd hour: Open line. Call and talk about whatever is on your mind. Listen online at American Family Radio. Click o…
When I started this Lenten blog series, I knew that sooner or later I would write this entry. I knew it because Dudley, our three-year-old basset hound, has taught me so many good lessons.It is late at night as I write these words, and things are quiet in my corner of the world. I’m the only one awake at this hour. Marlene is asleep in our be…