What If the Church Had a “Looking Forward Day”?

Last updated on: June 7, 2024 at 7:45 am By Randy Alcorn

We received this thought-provoking letter from a reader named Richard Higby. As you read, consider what it might look like for your family and church to implement his idea of a day celebrating and looking forward to Christ’s return and the coming New Earth. In my book Happiness, I write about how the observances of Christ’s birth and resurrection have been commandeered by our culture and distanced from their true biblical and historical meanings. Rather than abandon these holidays, we can... Read more

How Can Christians Better Respond to Mental Health Issues?

Last updated on: May 31, 2024 at 9:13 pm By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

I’ve known a few people with perpetually sunny dispositions, but my own nature is reflective and, at times, melancholic. I’ve experienced seasons of depression, both before and since coming to faith in Christ—some due to my personality type and emotional makeup (and perhaps genetics), some triggered by my long-term physical illness (insulin-dependent diabetes), and some the result of adverse circumstances. When I blogged about my depression some years ago (see here and here), a few people expressed shock that someone who had written about... Read more

God’s Heart for the Elderly and Infirm

Last updated on: May 31, 2024 at 9:09 pm By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

One of the many problems facing Western society is that we worship youth and make the elderly disposable. Euthanasia, which is legal in my home state of Oregon, is simply abortion of the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill. The same logic and arguments and appeals to “compassion” and quality of life and financial concerns are used for both. God’s perspective on the elderly is vastly different. He told the Israelites, “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor... Read more

Bitter Ingredients, Good Outcome

Last updated on: May 31, 2024 at 9:03 pm By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

Like many psalms, Psalm 71 contains both complaint and praise: Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of... Read more

Imagine Meeting in Heaven Those We’ve Forgotten

Last updated on: May 24, 2024 at 11:54 am By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

Have you ever wished you had a better memory to recall the people you’ve met throughout your lifetime? I have often wished I could call up recordings of conversing with people I’ve met at churches, conventions, airports, and many more places. I suspect we will be able to recall conversations and “chance” meetings when we see those people again in Heaven, and instantly bond over what we had once completely or largely forgotten. I think that will be delightful, and... Read more

How to Avoid Making an Idol of Your Marriage and Spouse

Last updated on: June 14, 2024 at 8:59 pm By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

A thoughtful young man asked me: My wife and I were talking about idols, and wondering to what degree marriage, or your significant other, can become an idol? We talked about the idea that something is an idol if you would be discontent without it. But we know that marriage is such a gift from the Lord, and you are more united to that person than any other person. We thought of you, and wanted to ask your thoughts on... Read more

Life Is Far from Certain, But Jesus Is

Last updated on: May 17, 2024 at 10:50 am By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” In her journal kept during her cancer years, my wife Nanci reflected about life’s uncertainty: Lord, I don’t know what’s ahead of me on this earth. Even the plans which are made change—almost daily. Uncertainty has always been difficult for me to handle. I like knowing what’s going on... Read more

God Has Continued to Use My Older Books, to My Surprise

Last updated on: May 17, 2024 at 10:44 am By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

I attempted my first novel, back in the 90s. I emphasize the word attempted because it really was an experiment. To be honest, I made more mistakes in writing Deadline than any other fiction book I’ve written, not surprisingly, because the first house built will not be his best house if someone continues to build. And yet, God has really used that novel. I think because the plot was sound and a lot of imagination went into it, people still read it. (But I would... Read more

Wait Until Then: A Story of Promise for Children

Last updated on: May 9, 2024 at 1:20 pm By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

I’m excited that my children’s book Wait Until Then is once again available, reprinted by our ministry. It’s been almost 17 years since it was first published, but the story is timeless—it is just as applicable now as it was then. (One of the main changes we had to make was adding all five of my grandsons’ names to the dedication. When it was first published, only the first three had been born, and even they were very young!) It’s a very... Read more

Will Places We Loved Here Be Resurrected on the New Earth?

Last updated on: May 9, 2024 at 1:13 pm By Randy Alcorn

0 Comments

The world says, “You can never go home again.” It means that while we were gone, home changed and so did we. Our old house may have been destroyed or sold, been renovated, or become run-down. In contrast, when this life is over—and particularly when we arrive on the New Earth—God’s children will truly be able to come home for the very first time. Because our home in Heaven will never burn, flood, or be blown away, we’ll never have... Read more