Jesus knew it was time to leave the comfort of Martha and Mary’s home.

Judges 19-21 tell of a horrific civil war involving the Benjaminites: how it started, how it was conducted and how Israel recovered from it. Because the story is so unpleasant, it is easy to read it dutifully and then move on. Yet we are told “whatever things were written before were written for our learning.” (Rom 15:4).

Our behaviors can impact the whole world, and it is our Christian responsibility to act accordingly. There are many realistic ways that we can protect God’s world and everyone in it. We don’t have to do all the things, but we should try to do some.

God's word was recorded by some 35 authors, writing as they were moved by the Holy Spirit through the course of 1500 years (2 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:1-2; 2 Pet 1:20-21). Some were formally educated (like doctors, kings and public servants), while others were not (including fishermen and shepherds). Altogether we find well over 50 vocations mentioned in their writings.

Scripture does not shield us from the disappointment that faithful men and women experienced when their own sons and daughters failed to adhere to the commandments of God. In fact, as we survey the Scriptures, there are many who stray from their parents’ commitments.

There have always been disasters, and there always will be until God’s Kingdom wipes away every tear.  This week we are seeing yet another, the earthquake in Haiti.

Disappointment and discouragement do happen, they are part of the universal lot of human beings... but what we do with those feelings is important.

Our naturally prideful spirit needs to be humbled, in recognition that it’s only by God’s phenomenal grace that we have hope. 

Christ’s sacrifice was not to appease God. It isn’t God who needs to change, it’s us. Nor was Jesus accepting punishment instead of us, in order to balance out the guilt we’ve piled up.

Our Heavenly Father created us to need healthy, supportive relationships and communities to thrive. Unfortunately, in our modern day North American society, we often see brokenness.

My family, friends and ecclesia have been the biggest source of comfort and encouragement in my time in higher education.

Have you ever been asked: “Are you praying often?” My friends and I were recently asked this question during a Bible class. Most of us responded: “Not as much as we would like to.”