Why Good Friday Isn’t Called Terrible Friday

April 25, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

On Good Friday, Jesus experienced the terrible burden of atonement, the trauma of dying on the cross, and the anguish of being temporarily alienated from His Father when He became sin for us (see Matthew 27:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21). But this suffering was ultimately overshadowed by His joy in our salvation: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). The unhappy suffering and death of Jesus ultimately guaranteed the death of death (see Revelation 21:4)... Read more

What I’ve Learned about Grieving With Hope

April 22, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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Tomorrow, March 28, marks two years since Nanci entered the presence of Jesus, after a four-year battle with cancer. I’ve been reflecting on what God has been teaching me since her death and its first-year anniversary. Google “Grief recovery,” and there are over one million hits. It’s an interesting term. You recover from a cold, a virus, or a broken arm. I don’t think you really recover from the huge loss—the amputation, so to speak—of someone central to your life. There is... Read more

What Happiness Can We Anticipate on the New Earth?

April 18, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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At the end of Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of Tolkien’s The Return of the King, Bilbo Baggins—extremely old and decrepit—is invited to board an Elven ship to sail from Middle-earth to Valinor (a sort of Heaven). He smiles, and a youthful energy returns to his eyes as he says, “I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.” For the Christian, death is not the end of our adventure. Rather, it’s our exit from a world where dreams and adventures shrink, and... Read more

Where Do Human Rights Come from?

April 15, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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A political commentator on MSNBC made the claim that if you believe human rights come from God, you aren’t just a Christian; you are a Christian nationalist. This is an amazing statement because if human rights don’t come from God, they can only come from people. Who else is left? Giraffes? Aliens? Nothing comes from nowhere. Apparently, she trusts that people who don’t believe in God can somehow formulate a proper view of human rights. Ivan the Terrible, Genghis Khan, Hitler, Stalin, Mao,... Read more

A Reader Recommended My Heaven Book after Reading One Page

April 11, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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Reader Aaron Fullan (who’s an actor, composer, and content creator) tagged me in an Instagram reel sharing why he appreciated my Heaven book after reading just one page into the preface. I was surprised: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aaron Fullan (@aaronfullan) Honestly, if you would’ve asked me if someone could recommend a book before he’s done with page one, I would’ve said that’s just crazy. But I think Aaron makes a great point with it! � What a memorable... Read more

If We Realize We’re Undeserving, the World Comes Alive

April 8, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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Jesus said to His disciples, “When you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Luke 17:10, NASB). He’s saying, in effect, “Lower your sense of what you deserve.” God told Adam and Eve what would happen to them when they turned from Him and chose sin: “You will surely die” (Genesis 2:17, NASB). Based on that text alone, all we deserve and should... Read more

What Would Happen If We Prayed Before We Spent Money?

April 4, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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When something’s a legitimate need, God will provide it. But how often do we take matters into our own hands and spend impulsively before asking God to furnish it for us? How often do we go buy something—whether we consider it a “want” or a “need”—a week or a month before God would have provided it for free or at minimal cost, if only we’d asked him? Years ago, my friend wanted a good exercise bicycle. He even picked the... Read more

Obadiah and Ollie Discuss the Old Negro Leagues

April 1, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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In this excerpt from my novel Dominion, the elderly character Obadiah shares his life memories, including about the Old Negro League. Researching these players was both fascinating and inspiring. (Here’s a video with a brief history of the Negro Leagues.) “What’s up?” Clarence asked, surprised to see Ollie at his door Saturday afternoon. “Something happen?” “No. I’m here to see your father. I brought him my Hank Aaron autograph.” Ollie lifted up an old Milwaukee Braves program, Aaron’s autograph dark and prominent.... Read more

What Is God’s Simplicity?

March 28, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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Kevin DeYoung is a pastor and an excellent writer and thinker, and his resources can be found at the ministry Clearly Reformed. Kevin has started an explainer video series on God’s attributes. I’ve listened to the two he’s done so far and love them. The first one on the doctrine of divine simplicity is pretty unique. I have probably only heard the term used of God a few times in all the books on God’s attributes that I’ve read. As Kevin says, simplicity doesn’t... Read more

There Is Still Opportunity to Serve Jesus, After Age 70

March 25, 2024 By Randy Alcorn

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Our society holds on to youthfulness with a white-knuckled grip. We worship youth and consider the elderly at best, useless; and at worst, disposable. God’s perspective is very different: “Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). Titus 2 encourages both older men and women to be examples to those who are younger, and to teach them God’s ways. I love to be around older people—that is, older people who have sweetened... Read more