When the film “Jurassic Park” premiered in June 1993, it became the highest grossing movie ever at the time. The dinosaurs were created with pioneering computer-generated images and life-sized animatronics. We are fascinated with dinosaurs, especially the huge ones which eat people. No doubt sales of amber containing fossilized mosquitoes reaped big money after that movie was released. People still believe in the Loch Ness monster (Nessie) and continue to search for and find dinosaur bones.

The presence of their bones means they did exist, but what happened to dinosaurs?

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Though death is genuine, Christ, by His death and resurrection, claimed victory over it. We who love and cherish Him need have no fear of those who kill the body (Matthew 10:28). In that very moment of earthly death, we will forever be with Christ, basking in His glory and enjoying His love, with the complete knowledge we are finally home.

The shepherds were surrounded by bleating, smelly sheep and the dust that arose when they and their herds moved about. They had no idea what was about to happen — the pronouncement of the ages! 

A fine line exists between worshipful music and performance. It’s the responsibility of the church leaders to make sure those in the Sanctuary are directed in thought and praise to Jesus, not in wonder at a sound and light show.

Israel knew God would respond positively to their faithfulness because He promised He would. Hosea likens His sure restoration of them with the refreshing nature of the dawn, showers, and spring rain.

Everyone wants equal treatment and unity is broken when a person is singled out for reasons related to a subjective choice. Someone always gets hurts when favoritism is shown. What about with God? Is He partial or is it true He shows no partiality? 

Hard times are inevitable. We best suit up every day according to Ephesians 6:10-20 so we can fight whatever the world throws at us. Have a prayer arsenal, quick go-to verses, and a believing friend in your phone contacts.

It is common for countries to send ambassadors as representatives to other nations. The ambassador’s role is ensuring that his country is well represented, and occasionally for the purpose of making treaties. His authority is granted by the leader of his home country. The leader is the authority who bestows certain powers to his emissaries, but not usurping his own power.

In the same sense, the Apostles Jesus designated represented Him, but the ultimate authority was and is His.

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Throughout the book, Job faces adversity — first the losses, then from his wife, and then from his friends. At one point, we read this heart-wrenching utterance, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him” (Job 13:15).

The sweetest (and sometimes funniest) prayers are said by children before bed. From thanking God for a family to thanking Him for dessert, children’s prayers run the gamut.

I have two nephews who, when they were four and two, let me tuck them into bed. The oldest prayed first and thanked God for his mom and dad and his siblings. He ended the prayer by thanking God for the pudding (which we didn’t have that night). Holding in my laughter, we said “amen,” and then the younger one started to pray. Hearing impaired, all he could mumble was something that sounded like “buh buh buh buh buh…” We then said “amen” again and I barely made it out of the room before giggling.

But they prayed. Cute as the anecdote is, prayer is the important part of the story.

Most everyone has seen the meme depicting a wee toddler in a prayerful pose. It’s precious, but our hope is that early training leads to a lifetime on a young one’s knees thanking, praising, and petitioning God for all their needs.

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Jesus added weight to our understanding of what a true friend is when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Isn’t that the ultimate love, and isn’t that what Jesus did for us?

From the darkness over the waters in Genesis 1 to the darkness overcome at the end of Revelation, the Bible is filled with discussions about darkness. But what does the Bible say about darkness, as a quality or force?