where we go
In November 2011, a football stadium filled with more than 100,000 fans went silent. In the middle of the field, prior to the game, both university teams were kneeling with heads bowed. In the middle of the crowd, an assistant coach—a believer in Jesus—lifted his voice in prayer for several minutes. What was going on? The home team had faced…
in the shade
Since my college days, I’ve always enjoyed a good cup of coffee. Far from a true connoisseur, however, I’ve stocked my supply with everything from the brand on sale at the grocery store to the flavored blends at a specialty shop. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do some traveling and—while in Honduras—I learned from a local…
unseen sea
Recently, I watched a video titled The Unseen Sea. Sam Christen, the flick’s creator, presented a time-lapsed look at the atmosphere over San Francisco filmed from above the clouds. At times, the clouds appeared as amethyst vapor or cottony smoke taking the shape of ocean waves churning and sweeping over the city—seemingly to bury it like the doomed city of…
like Jesus
Last month I was a character reference for a friend who was candidating with a missions agency. All I had to do was give my honest feedback based on certain key performance indicators (KPIs). As I “evaluated” my friend, I wondered how my peers would rate me, not in my professional capacity, but as a believer in Jesus. I wondered…
you choose Q: how can Christians cope with life when they're unemployed?
Q: When unemployed how do we as Christians cope with life? —Dorothy
A: Being unemployed can be a very stressful and highly emotional time of life. When you’ve out of work for a period of time, the rejections from potential employers can sap your morale and cause you to lose confidence—wreaking havoc on your self-esteem and self-worth. You can even experience…
fulfilled
Many years ago, an editor of The Farmer’s Almanac predicted the weather conditions for every day of the coming year except July 13. He figured it could be filled in the next morning. But that evening, the office boy told him that the printer needed the manuscript immediately. The editor ordered the office boy: “Put in something suitable for July…
you choose Q: does one have to "tarry for" [wait for the baptism of] the Holy Spirit?
Q: Does one have to “tarry for” [wait for the Baptism of] the Holy Spirit? —Iona
A: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not something to be sought after conversion, nor is it something to be sought after in the form of an overt exterior sign (i.e. speaking in tongues). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an event that…
September 24, 2012
What have you found is the best way to maintain peace (Ephesians 4:3) with believers in Jesus who hold opposing political views?
three evils
On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that leveled an estimated 250,000 homes and 30,000 buildings, killing nearly 300,000 people. A cholera outbreak a few months later claimed thousands more lives.
Philosophers have a name for this kind of devastation. They call it natural evil. With its earthquakes, famines, diseases, and afflictions, the world can…
laughter and tears
In September 2011, Stacie Crimm held her newborn baby and “laughed and cried all at once.” Surely most mothers are overcome with emotion as they see and touch the new life freshly emerged from the womb. But Stacie’s emotions were particularly poignant, for just 3 days later she died of cancer. During the pregnancy, she had refused medical treatments that…
enjoy God
The crewmembers of an international airline that makes a daily flight to Uganda stay at a hotel down the street from my home. During their 24 hours in the country, many of them visit my organization, Tukutana, and spend time with children in our programs. The guests often bring gifts. This past Friday, though, two women came empty-handed. Instead of…
in defense of love
Throughout much of 2011, Greece experienced unrest as round after round of austerity measures were passed, reducing pension payments and slashing worker benefits. Listening to interviews on the BBC, I heard shopkeepers and laborers speak of the gloom they felt about their future. Some were angry. Some were resigned. Everyone felt hopeless. Protests escalated. The government convulsed. Greeks expressed anger…
line of sight
When our son learned to shoot with a bow and arrow, I found my interest in the sport piqued by its grace and artistry. One afternoon I decided to join him in the backyard to take a few shots. Doing something that contradicted his training, I moved the bow left of the target. I knew that I couldn’t hold my…
