You’ve probably never heard of him before. All we learn about Shamgar is encapsulated in one verse in the book of Judges. Unlike the detailed account of other figures in the book – Gideon, Samson, and Deborah – Shamgar’s story seems to be a biblical footnote.
Read MoreAn old Chinese legend is told about how, many years ago, there lived an old man along with his son and a horse. Back in those days, having a horse would be like owning a car in our day – very valuable.
Read MoreAs the story goes, there was once an officer in the navy who always dreamed of commanding a battleship. He finally achieved that dream and was given command of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet. One stormy night…
Read MoreWe’ve all faced moments in life (far too many) when we’re tempted to stand down, walk away, give up. Circumstances seem to call to us to cash in our chips or wave the white flag.
Read MoreMy wife is a “puzzler.” During the months of sheltering in, she must have put together at least a half-dozen jigsaw puzzles. Some were relatively easy, but others were real toughies. Fortunately, she was able to look at the box and see the big picture.
Read MoreLee Strobel writes of a woman named Maggie who began to attend to his church. For a long time she sat in the back, fearful of being exposed, ashamed of her lifestyle, yet strangely drawn to the place.
Read MoreOne of the most gripping texts in the entire Old Testament is recorded in Genesis 22. In that account we read: Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son…
Read MoreSeveral decades ago, a popular anger management therapy arose called ventilationism. The approach boiled down to this: When you get angry, let it out. Discharge your feelings, get it off your chest, blow off steam, hit something, throw something, scream something.
Read MoreThere’s a very interesting little account at the end of the gospel of John (20:22) where it describes how fearful the disciples were after Jesus’ death. They’re cowering behind locked doors and we’re told that, suddenly, Jesus appears in their midst and says, “Peace be with you.”
Read MoreIt’s not surprising that down through the years, religious hypocrisy has been one of the greatest barriers to faith. Why become a Christian when the church is filled with so many hypocrites who act as living contradictions to their confession?
Read MoreHave you ever heard the story of long-distance American swimmer Florence Chadwick? In 1950, she swam 21 miles across the English Channel from France to England in13 hours and 20 minutes, breaking the women’s world record for traversing that body of water.
Read MoreLife is full of turning points. Those occasions when you stand at a crossroads. Moments when you have to make a decision, and that decision that will forever change your trajectory.
Read MoreI don’t know how familiar you are with the book of Esther, but it’s one of the most exciting accounts in the entire Old Testament. It’s filled with heroes and villains…with intrigue and suspense…and it concludes with an exciting climax.
Read MoreIn 1936, during the Great Depression, famed photographer Dorothea Lange was given permission to snap a series of photos of 32-year-old Florence Owens Thompson and her children. Little did she know that one of those pictures would become iconic for that devastating era of history.
Read MoreHave you ever heard of an omakase restaurant? It’s a unique Japanese tradition where the customer leaves it up to the chef to choose his/her meal. Omakase is a Japanese word that translates, “I’ll leave it up to you.” It comes from the root, “to entrust.”
Read MoreThis week is very significant to the nation of Israel. 72 years ago - May 15, 1948, to be exact - Israel once again became a nation. And it happened against all odds.
Read MoreWhen I first came across the story, I found it hard to believe. It reported how a pride of African lions had rescued a young girl. Yes, you read it correctly. A group of lions rescued a young girl.
Read MoreAs a fisherman, I’m drawn to the accounts recorded in the gospels where Jesus is out on the water. Interestingly, when it comes to having a successful catch, He always tips the scales. Not so for me.
Read MoreAs part of my downtime during these days of “social distancing,” I’ve been bingeing on the old TV series, “24.” Do you remember it? Starring Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent, Jack Bauer, each episode is one hour of a 24-hour day.
Read MoreFrom his days as a giant slayer to the season when he commanded Saul’s armies to the time he became ruler of Israel in his own right, David was a warrior. Some Bible commentators, in fact, refer to him as “the warrior king.” But David was more than a military warrior. He was a prayer warrior.
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