Randy Alcorn

Ek het oor etlike jare die volgende materiaal saamgestel en aan baie jongmense en hul ouers aangebied. Toe my dogters, wat nou al getroud is, tieners was, het ek dit verder verfyn vir die deel en bespreking met hulle en die jong mans wie gevra het om met hulle uit te gaan.

There is a radical difference between true human intelligence that uses a tool, and artificial intelligence that can become a poor substitute for what it means to be created in God’s image.

G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) has been widely credited with saying, “Jesus promised His disciples three things—that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” It might be argued that most Western Christians aren’t any of these three—least of all “absurdly happy.”

Many people distrust organized religion but love animals and the natural world. They don’t know God, yet they cherish what He created. They catch glimpses of Him in nature (Romans 1:19-21). Their love for animals flows from being God’s image-bearers and can be a bridge to the gospel.

The climax of Revelation 21:4, when God wipes away all tears from every eye, could not happen without the billions of tears shed because of the evil and suffering we’ve endured (and inflicted). It could not happen had Jesus not borne it on the cross for us.

Over the years, I’ve learned not simply to think less of myself but to think about myself less. When I’m thinking most about Jesus, not me, I’m most happy.

God gave us our imaginations, and when He says, “we are looking forward to a new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13), He indicates this should be normal for believers. It is impossible to look forward to something if you do not envision it.

Jesus made bold claims about His identity, which religious leaders of His day considered blasphemy. He claimed to be God’s only Son, one with the Father, descended from Heaven and destined to rule the universe as King.

I had a great two-part conversation with Dennis Rainey for his podcast “Inspiring Courageous Faith.” In part two, we talked about faith, Heaven, and the realities that shape courageous living.