The Family

Read: Luke 15 At the beginning of Luke 15, tax collectors and sinners flocked to Jesus to hear Him teach. Not surprisingly, the Pharisees disapproved of His socializing with “sinners.” In response, Jesus told three parables describing His love for the lost. The...

The Father’s Love

Read: Luke 15:20-24 Jesus tells a story of a man who had two sons. The older one was faithful and served his father and their family business well, but the younger one wanted more. He asked his dad for his inheritance, then took off and wasted his money. We see in...

The Promise of Resurrection

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, John 5:28-29 As a kid, I hated going to bed. I always felt like sleep was a waste of time and that if I had to go to sleep, I would miss out on something awesome. As an adult, I know better! Naps are the best. Good sleep and good rest...

Comfort in Grief

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 After my dad died, I did not want to do the visitation. Really, I wanted to be alone, I’m grateful that my friends and family did not honor my wishes. They showed up in droves with food. We sat together, sharing...

Living with Anticipation

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Imagine the thrill of preparing for a surprise visit from a dear friend who has been away for years. You clean the house, cook their favorite meal, and make sure everything is perfect. Each moment is filled with...

The Certainty of Hope

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, John 11:25-26 Unfortunately, it is inevitable that you will lose someone you love. For many of us, this is a reality we know all too well. The pain and sorrow can feel overwhelming, and the questions about their afterlife can haunt you....