How do you get your life down to a few trunks and suitcases? What do you need to take? What’s too precious to leave behind? These are some of the questions that run through the mind of those who answer the call to serve in a land not their own. I remember them well. The … More Packing Up
Do you struggle with prayer? You are not alone. Yet, before I share my thoughts on what prayer is, it’s important to recognize what it is not. The word itself holds different meanings for different people, and I believe the prayer we’re taught and modeled by Christ himself, is unique from that of other religions. … More Does prayer matter?
I love it when God does something despite me! I think that’s one of the joys of being a clay jar. He gets to do the shining, no matter the faults in the vessel. When that happens, the jar is just that, a vessel, while God is the amazing Sovereign of the Universe, and all … More Jars of clay, willing vessels
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) This verse has followed me around the world, and when I read it again this morning, I realized I have no reason to fret. Even … More He has plans
As time passes, you may feel the sting of grief less, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t still affect you. Sometimes it leads to new habits without even realizing it. I was in the car the other day, listening to my favorite Christian radio show, when the topic turned to marriage. I immediately hit the … More Changing channels
How long has your church been around? Tonight my home church celebrated 175 years of presence in our community. That’s a long time, and though I no longer attend there, I wanted to be at tonight’s dinner, because not only am I a part of her history, but she is definitely a part of mine. … More Pillar and Ground
Have you ever tried to sit down and think about the people who have come into your life over the years? I think my brain would explode, if I actually tried. Even last night, at our church’s revival service, a woman came up to me and asked the question I always dread: “Do you remember … More Crossed paths for a purpose
When God called Abraham and made from him a great nation, he was dealing basically with one family. The Jewish nation prided itself on blood lines and genealogies. Even so, it did not keep brother from killing brother or kings from being overthrown. Fast forward to a new kind of family — the Church. Her … More Biting and Devouring
Do you ever feel like a fish out of water? It’s not a pretty sight. A gentle, graceful creature flapping and struggling against the hard earth. Some die on that shore, while others are suddenly saved by the incoming rush of water. For the human creature, floundering most often comes when you’ve just completed a … More Floundering
Would you practice your faith even if no one around you did? Though you may not realize it, we are in the middle of a very special month for those of the Islamic faith — Ramadan. Having lived in the Middle East for over twenty years, I know how this month of fasting affects life. … More Ramadan Kareem
