Thoughts by Joseph Tkach

A few years ago, an improvisational comedian, famous for his witty remarks, celebrated his 91st birthday. The occasion brought together all his friends and relatives and was also well-attended by news reporters. During an interview at the party, the predictable and most important question posed to him was: "To whom or what do you attribute your long life?" Without hesitation, the comedian replied: "To breathing!" Who can disagree? We could say the same in a spiritual sense. Just as physical life depends on breathing air, so too does all spiritual life depend…

Do you remember when God drew Jeremiah's attention to the potter's wheel (Jer. 18:2-6)? God used the image of the potter and the clay to teach us a powerful lesson. Similar messages that use the image of the potter and the clay can be found in Isaiah 45:9 and 64:7, as well as in Romans 9:20-21. One of my favorite mugs, which I often use for tea at the office, has a picture of my family on it. As I look at it now, it reminds me of the story of the talking teacup. The story is told by the teacup in the first person…

Do you know the story of Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead? It was a tremendous miracle that shows us that Jesus has the power to raise us from the dead too. But there is much more to the story, and John tells some details that have a deeper meaning for us today. Notice the way John tells this story. Lazarus was not an unknown resident of Judea - he was the brother of Martha and Mary, the Mary who loved Jesus so much that she poured precious anointing oil on his feet. The sisters let Jesus ...