How to Live Life with No Regrets (Or Maybe Just a Few)

Brendon Burton (CC)

As the doctors entered the room they couldn't help but hold their breath. The stench of death overpowered them. There lay a feeble man with only days left in him, and there was nothing they could do.

He was a great man, and it was too soon for him to part from this world. But it was apparent that sheol was imminent.

Even God's messenger, Isaiah, told Hezekiah he was going to die.

Does God Want You to Prosper?

Not long ago I read an article on Relevant Magazine's website lamenting the misuse of the following verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

The author complains of Christians using the verse out of context to apply to their personal circumstances rather than viewing it in its biblical context. (Read the whole thing here.)

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While I think that the article has merit, in principal it bothered me. Why? Because I believe deep down that God really does want to prosper us.

The piece stuck with me, and my mind wrestled with it in the background as I went about my business.

Then, a few days ago, I came across a verse that seemed to confirm my presupposition.

What a Scared-out-of-his-mind Dad Can Teach You About Reaching Your Goals

Both father and son sported white knuckles as if gripping their own lives.

The father's heart thumped in his chest. He did his best to stay calm, despite knowing death was at hand.

Bruce McKay (CC)

No, he wasn't running with the bulls or fighting a fire. 

How to Respond to Correction

They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honor. 2 Chronicles 16:14

Dominic Alves (CC)

I can smell the aromas, can't you?

The smoky bonfire infused with the scent of herbs, cinnamon, and aloe—a bittersweet blend for a bittersweet occasion.

But King Asa's burial was especially sobering given the last five years of his life. It was more than the celebration of a life, but also a cautionary tale against those too proud to accept criticism.


How the "Good" King Screwed Up

Warning: Your Mom Can't Save Your Soul

Having a mom who goes to church is not grounds for salvation.

Maybe you even attended church as a child. You read the Word, you sang "Jesus Loves Me". But you never submitted your life to Christ.

Simon Harrod (Creative Commons)

Your mother might be Teresa, but she cannot save you. Sure, she prays for you. She hopes beyond hope.

What Everybody Ought to Know About the End of the World

Did you know that there is enough water in the atmosphere to cover the entire globe?

The United States Geological Survey estimates that there is 3100 cubic miles of water in the air, enough to bury the earth at a depth of about an inch (source). This shouldn't come as a surprise to readers of the flood narrative in the book of Genesis.

Edward Lim (Creative Commons)

To be sure, one inch is a far cry from the twenty-two foot depth described in Genesis 7:20, but thinking about the flood in these terms leads me back to the creation story. Furthermore it offers some interesting insights to the future of creation.

Remember what happened the second day?

How the Ultimate Screw-up Got One of the Bible's Most Important Gigs

When you think "screw-up" in the context of the Bible, a whole slew of people probably come to mind.

There's king Saul, anointed of God, who disobeyed the LORD by keeping the plunder of Amalekites instead of destroying it, broke the law by offering sacrifice, and consulted with a medium.

There's Solomon who, despite a heaping amount of wisdom and vast wealth, turned from the LORD to foreign gods.

Moses, who took matters into his own hands by killing an Egyptian.

Adam and Eve, the original screw-ups, who ate from the one tree God forbade.

But perhaps the ultimate screw-up in all of scripture is none other than Jacob, son of Isaac.

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (Rembrandt)

You know the stories. Beginning at birth he grabbed the heal of his twin brother on the way out of the womb earning him the name "supplanter". He later extorted his brother to gain the birthright, then tricked his near senile old man into giving him the blessing.

So naturally God chose him to be the father of His people.

Say what?