Heads Up

Bereavement is a very poignant human experience. However firm our Christian faith may be, the loss of a close relative or friend causes a profound emotional shock. To lose a loved one is to lose a part of oneself. It calls for radical and painful adjustments, which may take many months. When his 21 year…

What, then, is the secret of flourishing? What does flourishing consist of? Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for…

We must realize by His own definition Jesus was Himself most happy, most blessed, and most flourishing. In His study on the Beatitudes Billy Graham has written, “If by happiness [blessedness] we mean serenity, confidence, contentment, peace, joy and soul-satisfaction, then Jesus was supremely ‘happy.’ We never read of His laughing, though I am sure…

Sometimes God gives an unbeliever more insight into the lives of Christians than most Christians have. For instance, someone once said to Hannah Whitall Smith, the author of the book, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, “You Christians seem to have a religion that makes you miserable. You are like a man with a…

There are two aspects to the cultural mandate in the state of innocence: the task of begetting and the organic multiplication of people and the task of forming a diversity of cultures. Embedded in the creation of humanity is a teleological (purpose) orientation – humanity was meant to spread and cultivate creation in obedience to…

There is an amazing psalm that says, “The heavens belong to the LORD (Yahweh), but the earth he has given to mankind” (Ps.115.16). We have been placed by God’s governing economy to be the resident managers of earth. We are meant to steward the creation, to enhance its beauty, to protect it from danger, to…