Balaam’s greed for wealth offered by the king blinded him so that he could not see how God was trying to stop him from danger. It took an unusual circumstance for God to take Balaam’s blinders off. God used a donkey of all things, to teach him. Are we attentive to the ways that God is leading us towards life? What are the things in our life that prevent us from seeing God?

Until Jacob had a divine wrestling match with God—until he had a very personal struggle with God—his faith was not cemented. It was not his own. He knew of his father’s faith and even his grandfather’s, but, until this point, he was living his faith vicariously through theirs. After this experience, his faith became solidified in his life.

When we look at the overwhelming need in the world, it can be difficult to imagine what difference we could possibly make. In an episode from Jesus' life we see the example of someone who was willing to make a sacrifice in spite of the naysaying surrounding her. How can we find the same courage to lead sacrificially?

One certainty amidst all our questions surrounding pain and suffering is that God joins us in our suffering. What does it say about the character of God that even Jesus suffered? Does our suffering have any higher purpose?

Why would God create a world where such terrible things can happen? It could be that by giving us free will God allows the possibility of evil without willing evil itself. How much of the suffering we experience is caused by people’s poor decisions?

Suffering can often lead to doubting God’s existence. How can all three things be true at the same time: 1. God is all powerful, 2. God is all good. 3. Evil exists. Any of the two make sense, but how do we reconcile all three?

Suffering can often lead to doubting God’s existence. How can all three things be true at the same time: 1. God is all powerful, 2. God is all good. 3. Evil exists. Any of the two make sense, but how do we reconcile all three?

Do we treat our children like the gift that they are? Amidst all the competing priorities of school, sports, friends, and everything else, how do we parent them into spiritual maturity?

Do we treat our children like the gift that they are? Amidst all the competing priorities of school, sports, friends, and everything else, how do we parent them into spiritual maturity?

With life going at light speed we need to put down our phone and be present with our kids! While it is tempting to always be looking forward to whatever is next in our children’s development, we should cherish wherever they are...every day.