In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus proclaims, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Unlike other 1st century rabbis, Jesus does not exclude anyone from His invitation. There are no qualifications and only one requirement, that is to “Come to me.” And what does Jesus promise when we come to Him? In the verse above He promises to give the weary and burdened rest for their soul. Yet, this is just one of a plethora of promises Christ makes to those who come to Him in faith. In this post let us thoughtfully consider the person of Jesus who throughout scripture claims to have the power to give us not only rest, but also peace, hope, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the Holy Spirit, and a treasure of other amazing gifts. If you find yourself wearied and burdened this day, know that Jesus invites you this very moment to come to HIm to receive rest for your soul.

Bob Dylan, one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century, is best known for songs that chronicle social and political issues. Yet in the late 70’s the Jewish-born musician surprised everybody by declaring that he had become a born-again Christian, which outraged thousands of his fans. In 1979 Dylan released his first gospel album titled Slow Train Coming, on which Gotta Serve Somebody was the opening track.

This post chronicles the incredible story from 1 Kings 18 where the prophet Elijah confronts Ahab, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who had led his people into idol worship. Elijah requested a showdown with the 450 prophets of Baal. He then gathered the people of Israel and asked them, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

The post concludes with a video of Dylan’s song, an article on the choice he made to serve Christ, and the final moving words spoken by Charles Spurgeon to his congregation after 38 years of preaching. This biblical event, Dylan’s song, and Spurgeon’s words all ask the same question. Who will you choose to serve?

The Bible declares that all believers are Christ’s ambassadors, called to share the good news about Jesus with the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). Since Christ ascended back to His Father about 2,000 years ago about 66 generations of believers have assumed this responsibility to keep the flame of faith alive. For this post I thought we might be encouraged by peering into the life of one such ambassador from the mid 1800’s, Horatius Bonar, who was a Scottish pastor and hymnwriter.

Commenting on the state of the Christian faith in his day, Bonar once wrote: “It is not opinions that man needs, it is TRUTH. It is not theology, it is GOD. It is not religion, it is CHRIST. It is the knowledge of the free love of God in the gift of His only-begotten Son”.

Included in this post is a link to a beautiful rendition of one of his most well-loved hymns titled “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” and a sermon titled “How Shall Man Be Right with God?”. May this post prompt you to remember all those who shared the good news with you and may it give you the courage and conviction to be a faithful ambassador for Christ.

In opening chapter of John's gospel there is a wonderful promise about Jesus: "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

Genesis chapter 5 reveals a subtle distinction between the first man, Adam, that Scripture says was born in the likeness of God, and his son, Seth, who was born in the likeness of fallen Adam, who died spiritually after disobeying God’s one command. I've often heard it said that we are all by physical birth children of God, but Scripture above indicates otherwise. The good news, however, is that everyone has the right to become a child of God, through faith in Jesus Christ.

This post includes Scripture that speaks to how one may become a child of God and an essay by Mike Stone on the new birth God promises to all who place their trust in Jesus. May God grant us understanding of this glorious truth.

For nearly 60 years, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has brightened the lives of millions of people. In a tender scene, Linus, in response to Charlie’s Brown’s question about the true meaning of Christmas, recites the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke’s gospel.

Before it was first aired on December 9, 1965 the powers to be thought Charles M. Schulz had crossed a line in having Linus recite Bible verses, as they felt it might alienate viewers. But Schulz stood his ground stating, “If we don’t do it, who will?” Today this scene is considered, as one producer described it, “the most magical two minutes in all of TV animation.”

Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said, “During this time when our religious freedom is threatened in so many ways, Charles Schulz’s courage in writing A Charlie Brown Christmas is a great reminder that we must share the gospel despite opposition. And this simple but profound animation continues to live on as an inspiration for us to seek true peace and security in Jesus Christ.”

This post includes two short meditations by Pastor Jason Soroski along with two clips from A Charlie Brown Christmas. It closes with a video documentary titled “The Magic of A Charlie Brown Christmas”. May you embrace the good tidings of great joy this season as you remember the birth of the Savior of the world, who is Christ the Lord.

The attached is a thought-provoking musing on the wonder of wine from “The Supper of the Lamb”, a book written by Robert Capon, an Episcopalian priest and passionate chef. The book is part cookbook, part theology. In it he writes “Each thing, at every moment, becomes the delight of His hand, the apple of His eye. The bloom of yeast lies upon the grape skins year after year because He likes it; C6H12O6=2C2H5OH+2CO2 is a dependable process because, every September, He says, that was nice; let’s do it again.”

May we count our blessings and give thanks to God this holiday season for all His gracious provisions. Cheers!

Last December I posted Truman Capote’s beautiful short memoir, “A Christmas Memory”, a moving story I discovered years ago and enjoy reading each Christmas. This post includes Capote’s companion memoir titled, “The Thanksgiving Visitor”, another heart-warming childhood holiday memory of rural Alabama in 1932. Danny Heitman writes, “These two stories seem a perfect encapsulation of the qualities for which Capote was celebrated: lavishly lyrical language, an acute eye for human vulnerability, and the often poignant blooming of tenderness in a ruthless world.”

The publisher introduces the story as follows:

Buddy and his closest friend, his eccentric, elderly cousin, Miss Sook - the memorable characters from Capote's “A Christmas Memory” - love preparing their old country house for Thanksgiving.

But there's trouble in the air. Odd Henderson, a scrawny, freckled, red-headed bully makes Buddy the target of his relentless torment. But Miss Sook counsels patience and understanding. “He can't help acting ugly; he doesn't know any different”, she says. Filled with emotions that are universal to both young readers and adults, this poignant story brings to life what we all should cherish and be thankful for - the gifts of friendship and love.

For the first time in our 46 year marriage my wife and I are reading the Bible over the course of a year. We finished the New Testament and the Wisdom books in March and then starting in Genesis are reading the remaining Old Testament books consecutively.

As Christians who believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah for both Jews and gentiles, we have found great blessing in reading entire Bible, which progressively predicts and ultimately reveals God’s plan to rescue the world through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The history of Israel began some 4,000 years ago when God called Abram (later renamed Abraham) to leave his home in Ur (probably in southern Iraq) and travel to a land that God would give to him and his descendants in perpetuity. It was from there that God would make a people for Himself; a people who would be a witness of God to all nations, and eventually a blessing to all peoples on earth.

In this post I have included an essay by Professor J. Carl Laney titled “7 Reasons to Study the Old Testament” and an excellent video teaching by Pastor Gary Hamrick titled “Israel: Past, Present, and Future.” Perhaps this post may inspire you to undertake one of the 365 Day reading plans available on the internet in 2025.

This post includes another story titled “The Porcupine Whose Name Didn’t Matter” from the book, "The Way of the Wolf: The Gospel in New Images" by Martin Bell, first published in 1970. The book contains a collection of stories and poems that touch the heart and reveal how God appears to us in subtle and often mysterious ways.

Some of us may be entering this holiday season experiencing depression, grieving the loss of a loved one, living with the pain of a broken relationship, suffering with a serious illness, struggling financially, anxious about work, or just feeling alone. This particular story is about a porcupine named Joggi who suffered in loneliness until one day his life was changed when he encountered a wounded racoon named Gamiel. In the year they spent together they developed “a bond of trust that asked no questions, expected nothing at all except the merciful being together that made waking up tomorrow possible.”

Mother Teresa once said, “There are no great things; only small things done with great love.” In this holiday season may we be attentive for small opportunities to display kindness, hospitality, and love to those who need a friend.

During His earthly ministry, one of the teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied that the most important was to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.

The day before Jesus was crucified He shared a last supper with His disciples. After Judas left the table to betray Him, John records that Jesus said to the remaining 11 disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” After issuing this new command Jesus comforts His friends with some of the most beautiful words in all of scripture, culiminating in what many consider the greatest prayer ever prayed (John chapters 13-17).

This post includes scripture related to the biblical commandments to love and an illuminating sermon excerpt by Charles Spurgeon on what this new command means to Christ followers. It closes with a poignant video titled “My Brother” in which Brian Doyle reflects on his dying brother’s words of love to his family. In closing Brian says: “And all day I have thought this: Why do we not tell each other every hour that we love each other? ” Is there anyone in your life who needs to hear today that you love them?

This beautifully written essay by Jeffrey Tucker titled "Find Your Oasis" recalls a transcendent moment he experienced in Grand Central Station surrounded by a multitude of people all rushing off to somewhere. In the midst of the chaos he was captivated by a distinctly different sound; that of a cello playing what he thought sounded like one of the suites by J.S. Bach, written some 300 years ago.

The experience was mesmerizing as he writes, "There I stood in people's way for the better part of 20 minutes, transported by that middle voice between time and eternity." Later he adds, "Without such music, we might forget there is a soul, that we are purely biological creatures with physical senses. Bach's cello suites deploy the senses in order to compel the rediscovery of our deepest and highest spiritual longings, elevating the mind and heart to experience a place without the passage of time."

Just as one may find peace in the eye of a hurricane, Jesus offers similar refuge to the chaos in the world; "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

In Jeffrey's experience Bach's music was the voice God used to awaken him to the reality of His timeless presence and to bless him with His peace in the midst of the noise of this world. May we live attentively each day listening for God's invitation to enter His sanctuary, a place where He promises rest and renewal.

In this post we will consider the moving story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the ruling council of Jerusalem called the Sanhedrin. He was a man of power, prestige, and privilege, yet also, as we will see in scripture, a genuine seeker of the truth. Nicodemus is mentioned three times in the Bible and only in the gospel of John. Yet in spite of the brevity of his story we witness one man’s honest quest for truth and understanding, and his encounter with Jesus, the promised Messiah and Lord of all creation.

Along with the scriptural narrative, this post includes two scenes from The Chosen, a multi-season TV series on the life of Christ first released in 2019. This show is based on scripture and historical events, but utilizes artistic license to help us imagine what it may have been like to be near Jesus. I’ve found that this TV series opens up a way to reenter the gospel story, imagining it from the perspectives of his disciples and others, and enabling us to encounter Jesus with fresh ears and eyes. May it be so for you as well.

In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke Jesus tells the following parable to the Pharisees and teachers of the law who criticized Him for welcoming tax collectors and sinners who gathered to hear Him:

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

In this post Lindsay Hollifield gives her moving testimony of the relentlessness of God's grace, seeking and finding her when she was lost. She writes: "Against all odds, Jesus sought me out and that is the most strange and glorious thing I can tell you." If you are lost and struggling this day may you know that He is seeking you, as He declared, "The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost" (Luke 19:10).

The post concludes with a simple yet profound video titled "Come to Me" , a loving invitation of Jesus to all who are wearied and burdened and seek rest for their souls.

Last summer my wife and I were witnesses to a miracle of metamorphosis; the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies. We had accidentally discovered a small number of newly hatched swallowtail caterpillars gorging off a bunch of parsley my wife had harvested from her sister’s garden. We observed over the next couple weeks the rapid growth of these caterpillars that required them to repeatedly shed their outer skeletons and then intiate the formation of a chrysalis, from which within 2 weeks a gorgeous swallowtail butterfly would emerge.

This post includes a short video of our personal experience, an essay by Wallace Smith titled "The Butterfly: the Master of Metamorphosis", and associated scripture on how this transformation is analogous to the new life God promises to those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. The post concludes with a remarkable video on the great monarch migration, another wonder and mystery of God’s creation.

"How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty" (Psalm 111:2-3). Or as my father says, “How can anyone see this amazing creation and not believe in God?”

In the gospel of John there is mentioned a man named Malchus, the servant of the high priest, Caiaphas, who accompanies the soldiers and officials sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In a brief skirmish, the disciple, Peter, cuts off the ear of Malchus and Jesus then heals him. All four gospels mention this incident but only John records the name of this servant. This is the only mention of Malchus in the Bible, but even with this sparse information there is much that we might learn.

This post includes John’s gospel account of this incident and a meditation by Dr. Ralph Wilson who imagines how this event may have ultimately shaped the life of Malchus. May each of us be likewise blessed by a personal encounter with Jesus.

On February 14, 1990 as Voyager I was departing our planetary neighborhood for the outer fringes of the solar system, it turned it around to take a final portrait of our home planet nearly 4 billion miles away. Carl Sagan’s book “Pale Blue Dot” was inspired by this iconic image of Earth and his incredibly moving speech about this photograph begins “From this distant vantage point, the earth might not seem to be of any particular interest, but for us it’s different. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives.”

This post includes an illuminating video with Sagan’s complete speech, Scripture that testifies to the hope that he did not see, and an engaging essay by Carolyn Porco that reveals the backstory of how this image came to be.

The scriptures say that Jesus — as God made man — experienced everything we have or will, yet was without sin. This means that He felt the full range of emotions we exhibit: anger, sadness, joy, grief, dread, confusion, loneliness, unfulfilled desires, disappointment, and more. There is great comfort in this as Jesus fully understands all that we will experience in this life.

Yet a mistake we often make is allowing our feelings to define what is true. This is our default tendancy. Alternatively, when we exercise faith we are declaring that we will continue to trust God and His Word when what we see, hear, or feel contradicts what God has said.

In 1875 Hannah Whitall Smith wrote: “The chief temptation that meets the soul and assaults us at every step of the pathway is feelings. Because we do not feel God has taken us in hand, we cannot believe He has. We put feelings first, faith second and fact last although God’s invariable rule in everything is fact first, faith second and feelings last of all.”

This post includes a thoughtful essay from truthimmutable.com that explores the conflict between our feelings and faith. It concludes with a powerful video by David Gibbs Jr. that further illustrates the importance of listening for and trusting in God’s voice when our feelings tell us otherwise.

In the book of Job, Elihu asks a profound question, “Should God reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent?” Elihu is raising the question as to whether God will accept man’s terms for receiving salvation apart from the means God has provided?

This is just one of hundreds of penetrating questions appearing in the Bible that God invites us to ponder. “Come now, let us reason together” says the Lord in Isaiah 1:18. Through the “living and active” nature of Scripture which “judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”, people are often led to repentance; in which they change their minds about both their view of themselves (that it is impossible to save themselves) and God (who freely offers us a remedy to our condition to all who place their trust in the finished work of Jesus).

To help us wrestle with the question, I’ve included relevant scripture and two short excerpts from sermons of Charles Spurgeon. May this post bless you with a greater understanding of the amazing grace of God for you.

Last month as I celebrated Father’s Day with my two sons who are fathers I was filled with gratitude for God’s gift of children. This morning I was reflecting on the thousands of prayers I’ve prayed for them through the last four decades - that God would protect them, that they would know the love of Christ, that they would discover happiness and contentment in life, that they would have a faith in God that would sustain them through tumultuous seasons, that they would be grateful each morning for their blessings, that they would have compassion for others, that they might live a full life and and be blessed with children and perhaps grandchildren, and on and on and on.

In this post I’ve attached another poignant essay from Brian Doyle in which he recounts his personal life of prayers for his children both unborn and born. The picture above was taken shortly before Brian died at age 60 of a brain tumor. May this reading be a blessing to you.

In 1972 Seals and Crofts released the album Summer Breeze which my wife to be and I both owned and listened to throughout our college years. The album contains the achingly beautiful and timeless song “Hummingbird” that ends with the lyrics:

“Hummingbird don’t fly away,
alas here comes the gardener,
He’s come to till the flowers,
the draught of understanding,
wisdom, peace and love is ours.”

This post includes a video of photographs I took of hummingbirds in my back yard during Covid along with this beautiful song. The post closes with a soul-stirring Mary Oliver poem titled “The Messenger” and associated scripture that speaks to the last words of Mary’s poem. Like Job, may our hearts yearn within us for that day when we shall see God face to face.