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I understand the reason for distinguishing between the Intermediate or Present Heaven and the New Earth. But if Jesus referred to it as Paradise (and you do mention this, but only in passing), why not refer to the Present Heaven that way?

It’s not always easy to see the interruptions in our days as God’s sovereign plan for us, but if we don’t view them that way, we’ll end up frustrated and annoyed instead of useful and grateful. We’ll resent people for interrupting us, rather than looking for divine appointments. 

A friend asked me, "What would be some of the characteristics of the life of a person who is bearing their cross? (Matthew 16) What does this cross-bearer look like?" It got me thinking. If you follow me on Facebook, I’d love to hear some of your thoughts in the comments. Here are some of mine.

As I have dealt with people who are suicidal, which of course can involve many issues besides what the devil is doing, it has seemed clear to me that the devil is in favor of suicide and tempts people toward it.

“Abortion or misery” is a binary trap that keeps women from pursuing—and society from providing—positive alternatives. It’s a terrible thing to present pregnant women with inadequate choices, leaving them in an apparent no-win situation.

Decisions about dating, and considering whether someone is a person you could commit yourself to in marriage, are tough. You really need the help of an older, wiser, godly mentor who knows you well and can talk these issues through with you. 

Years ago, knowing our children were coming, Nanci and I prepared a place for them. We chose the room, picked out the right wallpaper, decorated and set up the crib just so, selected the perfect blankets. The quality of the place we prepared for our daughters was limited only by our skills and resources and imaginations.

If by “Happy New Year!” we mean that all our problems are about to end with 2020, we’re being unrealistic. But if by “Happy New Year!” we mean that we can choose to be centered on Jesus and happy in Him no matter what this new year brings, that is not blind optimism; it is biblical realism.

It’s become increasingly popular for people to share their “de-conversion stories,” talking about how they moved from belief in Christ and the Bible to a design-it-yourself type of spirituality, or even out right atheism.

Nanci and I pray together every night at bedtime, with pretty much no exceptions. We both are in the Word during the day, but usually at different times and places. We seek to share what we’re learning, and it's rich when we do, but it’s also true there is nothing like devotions together as a couple.

Our ministry received this note a few days ago from a prisoner we sent one of my books to. In his letter, he mentioned his birth date, which is six months to the day after my youngest daughter Angela’s. It touched me to think of how different people’s lives turn out.  

Human logic says the King of kings should have been born in a palace, surrounded by luxury. Instead, the only door open to the humble Savior was a dirty stable. Amazingly, and revealingly, this was all by God’s design.

Jesus gives us reminders of His presence and peace when we are experiencing grief. He is our ultimate comfort, and He must be our focus and source of strength. 

Jesus lived under the curse and was subject to human sufferings. He sympathizes with our weaknesses and became subject to them—including the exhaustion, the weariness, the sadness.