This “Application” column goes with the
By David Faust
Last December 31 when we celebrated the New Year, I told my wife, “2019 has been rough, but I have a good feeling about 2020. It’s going to be a great year!” Clearly, I don’t have the gift of prophecy. The year 2020 brought a global pandemic, racial strife, economic upheaval, and political turmoil. Someone joked that in the future
2020 will become a one-word catchphrase to describe a big mess. When asked, “How was your day?” you can say, “A total 2020,” and everyone will understand.
How did your faith weather the storms this year? As 2020 winds down and a new year begins, what is your attitude about the future? There’s always hope if we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and “press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14).
This “Application” column goes with the
By David Faust
While in Israel filming a documentary about the basics of the Christian faith, I visited Herodium, the palatial residence designed for King Herod’s protection and pleasure. By all accounts Herod was paranoid and cruel. He tortured and killed family members, servants, and bodyguards. Ironically, this ruthless ruler who destroyed so many lives was an innovative and prolific builder who oversaw the construction of enormous forts, palaces, water projects, and Jerusalem’s crown jewel, the Jewish temple.
Herodium (also known as Herodion) is now one of Israel’s national parks. It is a 300-foot-high hill resembling a volcano, jutting into the sky about a 10-minute drive from Bethlehem. On the day we visited, a cool breeze blew across the site and thunder rumbled in the distance.