Why ‘Count the Cost’ Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means
Reading the Bible through the lens of grace changes everything. Often I find myself reading familiar scriptures and thinking, “I never saw it this way before” or “Jesus [...]
parables
The Parables of Grace
Have you ever noticed how Jesus said his yoke is easy and light, but sermons on his teachings often sound hard and heavy? Something doesn’t add up. Take his parables, for [...]
An Early Look at Paul’s Next Book
My next book is a labor of love. I have been working on it for seven years and it’s time to let you know. It’s about a subject near and dear to my heart – the [...]
The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9)
A man had a fig tree, which had been planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, “Behold, for [...]
Who is the Unworthy Servant? (Luke 17:10)
How do you see yourself? As a valued son or a worthless servant? As a beloved child of God or a mere minion? Jesus came to reveal our heavenly Father, so a good sign that you [...]
Why is the Narrow Gate Hard to Enter?
Jesus spoke about entering the kingdom through a narrow gate, but what is the narrow gate? Jesus is. But what does it mean to find the narrow gate, and why did Jesus say many [...]
The Parable of the Two Sons
From time to time people ask me to write about the parables of Jesus. This is something I enjoy doing because I love the parables. The parables of Jesus are launch pads to [...]
The Parable of the Dead Rich Man
Jesus told stories to nudge people toward receptive insight. So why did he tell the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)? According to some, it was so that we [...]
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
In Luke 15 and 16, Jesus tells five parables in a row. The first three are about lost things; a sheep, a coin, and a son. The last two are about lost lives; a shrewd manager [...]
The Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27)
Jesus told two parables about servants entrusted with money; the parable of the talents and the parable of the minas. In both stories a nobleman goes on a journey (okay, so [...]
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Once upon a time there was a man who went on a journey, and before he left he entrusted three servants with his money. When the man returned, he praised the two servants who [...]
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1–8)
The strangest parable Jesus ever told was about a man who cheats on his boss and is then praised for doing so (see Luke 16:1–8). The parable of the shrewd manager (or the [...]
Fatherless fiction
I have four children under the age of ten so I read a lot of children’s books. Sometimes I even read them to my kids! A recurring theme I have noticed in children’s [...]
The Parable of the Beaten Servants
There are only two ways you can respond to Jesus; positively, in faith, or negatively, with unbelief. Consequently, it makes sense to speak of people dividing themselves into [...]
How Should We Read the Words of Jesus?
Jesus is the greatest preacher of all time. He told stories and preached sermons the whole world needs to hear. The genius of Jesus is that he often preached one message with [...]
How to Really Overcome Discouragement: Lessons from the One Who Never Lost Heart
What do you do when you get discouraged? Maybe you’re discouraged right now. If so, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to tell you something Jesus said that will [...]
Mixing Grace with Works: It’s Not About the Widow
Most Christians know it’s a bad idea to mix grace with works because of what Paul said to the Galatians: Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now [...]
Escape to Reality 