“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) The story is told about a young child who prayed to ask Jesus to come and live in his heart during Sunday School. When he saw his mother, he proudly told her, “Mama, I asked Jesus to come and live in my heart today and take my skin away.” His mother chuckled but later realized that her young child was serious. Several […]

“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:6) When I was an eighth grader, I fell in love with a ninth grader. She was my first love, and understandably the most beautiful girl I thought I had ever seen. She also came from a wealthy family, something to which I was not accustomed since I grew up in a lower middle class working family. Back then, boys like me weren’t supposed to be with girls like her. Yet somehow, we […]

“Do your utmost to come before winter.” (2 Timothy 4:21) January can be one of the most depressing months of the year. Credit card bills come in from all that Christmas overspending, and winter is already here, which means that we have very few days over the next couple of months that will permit us to pursue all those outdoor activities that we enjoy. Winter doesn’t have to be a dark, dreary time in our lives. In fact, the Apostle Paul in one of the last letters he […]

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Many of you know that I work in a political arena so I am used to the name-calling that is often associated with my profession. As a Christian, particularly an evangelical Christian, I have also been subjected to a lot of labels over the years – fanatic, bible-toting believer, zealot, religious right, homophobe – the list is growing. This is familiar territory […]