Tragedy? Certainly. Gruesome? Oh yes. Difficult to face? For me, definitely. The greatest single sin in all human history? I believe so. But on God's side of the decision it was also on purpose. Jesus walked into Jerusalem, knowing what would happen if He did. What's more, the Father asked him to. The question is, "Why?"

I don't think we stop and consider this enough.

People have -- and need -- some sense of a significant future, even if they have to "live on" through their children, the species, or just the universe itself.

Our expectations of the future order our present.

I woke up this morning with Isaiah 50:4 on my heart. "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary."

Words create worlds.

This chat was sparked by Galatians 3 where Paul says that all who rely on works of the law to find life are under a curse, but those who live by faith are under the blessing given to Abraham.

2 Cor 3:6 "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Psalm 44, that is.

Ever wonder why people who are in love with God one year aren't several years later?

Left Bottom - Trials (right understanding of our life's story in view of God's love and faithfulness)

Right Bottom - The disciplines (we only mentioned the foundational ones: solitude and silence, study and worship)

This chat is from Isaiah 40.