hope: finding mercy in judgment

Finding Mercy in The Face of Judgment

Hope Lives I love the book of Revelation, but it gets heavy, doesn’t it? Like birth pains, God’s judgment rolls in waves, contraction after contraction. Yet if we look closely, the heartbeat of hope still lives even among the boils and blood and fire. See if you can find it: “. . . they refused to repent . . .” Did you catch that? That implies God …

Grace Steps Into Unexpected Places

God is so unexpected. Today as I read through the Old Testament book of Hosea I came to this beautiful verse: The word “therefore” blows my mind because of what came immediately before this passage: Betrayal, Adultery, idolatry, a long string of “lovers,” a cascade of consequences. Then, suddenly, inexplicably, Grace steps in. Grace. God’s favor bestowed on sinners who deserve wrath.¹ Man’s sin and God’s grace.   …

How to be a Better Friend

I climbed into my car after meeting with a friend, my heart a jagged, gaping wound. Everything I thought I knew about friendship collapsed. In the weeks since, God has been, bit by bit, stitching the gash closed. And with each pierce of the needle and draw of the thread, I’m learning–perhaps for the first time–the true meaning of friendship.  …

How Much Hope Does Your Jesus Offer?

Doesn’t it seem that every time you turn on the TV some catastrophe or another writhes across the screen? “Bangladesh: Cheap clothes lead to danger and tragedy”¹ “Southwest Florida children sold as sex slaves”² “Loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona blaze ‘unbearable,’ governor says”³ Tragedy gives way to heartbreak. Pain washes across the TV screen and spills into our hearts, …