Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Christian Life

  • Reflecting the Light of the World

    Reflecting the Light of the World

    Jesus is the Word that became flesh to reveal God to us. He is the light of the world, so that we may see. Also, He is life so that we may live. His life is the light of men. His light, His life, and His love guide our steps. We cannot see the path…

  • Wise Men and Wisdom

    Wise Men and Wisdom

    The flaw of worldly wisdom and common sense is that it focuses on everything that happens “under the sun” and does not recognize its source and focus in God Himself. The pleasures, passions, and purposes we often seek are temporary; a focus on God Himself is eternal.

  • The Blood and the Name of Jesus

    The Blood and the Name of Jesus

    On the eighth day since the birth of Jesus, we commemorate the circumcision of Christ, at which time He was formally given the name “Jesus.” On the eighth day, Jewish boys would be circumcised (Leviticus 12:3), and it is during this ceremony that the baby received his name. One can essentially say that Jesus shed…

  • Resolving to Follow Christ in the New Year

    Resolving to Follow Christ in the New Year

    As I write, the year 2017 is approaching its end. Many people are writing down their New Year’s resolutions. Although I usually quip that my New Year’s resolution is to avoid making New Year’s resolutions, I must admit that there is some value to this tradition. Many of us can think of ways we would like to improve our lives.…

  • Examining Our Ways in Times of Suffering

    Examining Our Ways in Times of Suffering

    Pain and suffering are a central part of our earthly existence. Sometimes, it seems unfair, as if God Himself is unjust. We try to make sense of suffering, but it does not always work. The answers are rarely obvious or simple, but suffering gives us an opportunity to examine our lives and see if there…

  • Guarding Your Heart

    “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23, ESV). John Wesley wrote that heart means “thy thoughts, will and affections.” It sums up our inner life. What do I choose to think about? What do I want or try to do? What spurs my emotions? Define these,…

  • Confession: Resisting the Lies of the Enemy

    1 John 1:8–10 hints at two closely related lies that many Christians fall for: “We have no sin” and “We have not sinned.” The first implies that one has achieved a state of moral perfection; the other claims that either we were always in that state of moral perfection or that some people really have…

  • Modern-Day Elijahs XI: A Nature Like Ours

    A modern-day Elijah will expect God to act in response to our prayers, or to accomplish whatever He said He would do. The faith of an Elijah recognizes God as a living, active, all-powerful Sovereign over all creation, not as an abstract concept confined within the covers of a book.

  • Modern-Day Elijahs IX: Fathers and Families

    Modern-Day Elijahs IX: Fathers and Families

    Elijah ascended into heaven, but his legacy remains. Few biblical prophets share his prominence. Although he did not write any of the books of the Bible, he is considered one of the greatest prophets in Judaism. Only Moses holds higher esteem. When Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared with Him (Matthew 17:1–8).

  • Reflection on Mark 9:38-41 (Revisited)

    Reflection on Mark 9:38-41 (Revisited)

    John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said,“Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the…