By Joel A. Hess - Many people, even those who are remotely familiar with Christianity, know the popular story of Peter walking on the water. Oh sure, Jesus was more successful at this miraculous task, but we are far more excited about Peter’s experiment, right? Matthew tells us that one evening Jesus told the disciples … Continue reading Stay in the Boat!
By Joel A. Hess - “Good morning America, how are you? Don’t you know me? I’m your native son!" - The City of New Orleans, Arlo Guthrie The same could be said when America met Michelle Carter a couple of years ago. She is the girl who was recently convicted of involuntary manslaughter because she … Continue reading Michelle Carter: Look in the Mirror America
By Joel Hess - In my earlier days as a pastor in the beautiful hills of south eastern Ohio, a colleague mentioned his frustration when people stood up for the bride during a wedding ceremony, “I was taught that we only stand up for Christ.” At the moment I agreed with the fellow. I am … Continue reading Let Us Rise For The Bride!
By Joel A. Hess - Tomorrow I’m doing a funeral for a friend. He loved to win. He competed in everything. When he was 84 and his wife was suffering from Alzheimer’s, he still took pride in beating her and whoever was her partner in Euchre. I think he even cheated to win. He hated … Continue reading Heaven Is Only for Losers
By Joel A. Hess - Some time ago I attended a D. James Kennedy Evangelism Explosion training seminar. He’s the one who invented the “if you were to die today, would you go to heaven or hell” evangelism intro question. Nice question, right? From there, the evangelist talks about how we are all sinners no matter … Continue reading Jesus Died and Rose for You – Whether You Like It or Not
By Joel A. Hess - I saw an old man, wrinkled and worn, tired of dialysis and the smell of urine and medicine. Jesus sees a saint, brand spanking new, and the sun casting a shadow behind him. I saw a young girl, ashamed of the day she let them kill her child, hoping no … Continue reading I Saw a Sinner, Jesus Sees a Saint
By Joel A. Hess - Today we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of a country free from foreign rule. Many of us would say we simply celebrate freedom. For sure, people are freer in this country than most others. Praise God, I suppose. However, we also laugh at our brave founding fathers … Continue reading Ain’t No Freedom Like Freedom in Jesus
