Do you ever feel like you are all alone in your prayers? When you call out to God during a trial, do you ever feel like no one is listening? It’s easy to believe that our prayers are going nowhere when we call upon the Lord yet nothing seems to change in our situation. “The heavens seem as brass to me” is a phrase that Christians sometimes use when they feel God is not hearing their prayers. The...
Amid the darkness and despair that accompany domestic abuse, victims desperately long for comfort, guidance, and inner strength. In Psalm 121:1—2, we find words that resonate with our heart’s desire to seek help and more importantly receive help: “I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” How does the Lord bring help to...
Since the days of Pac-Man, gamers have been on a quest for power. Whether it’s the star man in Super Mario Bros., a bottled fairy in Hyrule, or catching “On fire!” in NBA Jam, gamers are looking for special items and opportunities that transform their abilities and give them extra strength to conquer enemies. The change a power-up brings can make all the difference! We also need power to grow and...
When I became a Christian while a sophomore in college, recreational use of drugs was illegal everywhere at all times. It seemed obvious to me that engaging in illegal activity of whatever sort would be contrary to my commitment to Christ. Though I could easily add other reasons for abstaining from the use of illicit drugs, the legal status of these drugs made the choice clear. Not surprisingly...
As I backed my car out of the driveway with my two daughters in the backseat, three-year-old Kristi commented, “God made the house!” pointing to the house across the street. She was learning in her preschool Sunday school class that God made the trees, the birds, the flowers . . . God made everything. However, in her immense six-year-old wisdom, Amy corrected her younger sister, telling her, “A...
