REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS think of us, we are forgiven, redeemed, restored, set free from the past. Our lives have been turned around through the grace of God and the power of the cross. Lies, deceit, selfish motivation, manipulation, provocation—all are gone. We were not merely "remodeled" or "refurbished." Rather, the old self has passed …
Jonah: A Reluctant Servant
Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology THE THEME OF THE Book of Jonah is simple: The LORD is a God of boundless compassion, not just for "us" but for "them"—the wicked, the disobedient, the Jew, and the Gentile. Some scholars consider Jonah's story to be an allegory, using fictional characters to symbolize theological principles. Specifically, …
Isaiah 53: The Gospel According to God
Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this? (Isaiah 53:1, MSG) Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psych. THE STORY OF SALVATION begins with a prophesy. One of the most profound predictions concerning Jesus is spelled out in the book of the prophet Isaiah. In fact, …
One Day – From the Journal of Katie Davis (September 2, 2008)
Until very recently, I had forgotten about God’s unconditional and undying love for mankind. For me specifically, and for every man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth in general. I am reading a book I borrowed from an elder at my church called Kisses From Katie, written by a young woman who …
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