turning losses into gain
One of the tremendous privileges I’ve had as a believer in Jesus was serving as an official chaplain for athletes competing in the Olympic Games. Ministering inside the Olympic Village was exciting, but it presented unique challenges. Many times I struggled to find the right words to say as I sat with medal contenders who—away from the glare of spectators…
beyond sentimental slogans
There’s a billboard company in my area that likes to post nice slogans on its signs when it doesn’t have paid clients. “Kyoto—Targets Bring Results” declares one environmentally conscious poster. “Knowledge Speaks but Wisdom Listens” reads another. “Love Nature—Love God” says a third. These fill-in billboards are always nice, sweet, and kind.
But a strange thing happened recently. Driving to…
disappointed
Scanning my e-mail inbox, I stopped in excitement when I saw a particular name. As I opened the e-mail, I held my breath in anticipation of what I would see. Waiting to hear about a manuscript I had sent in, I read through the e-mail quickly looking for the publisher’s response. Disappointment flooded my thoughts, however, when I read the…
an indifferent spouse
In the film The Painted Veil, an unhappily married couple—Walter and Kitty Fane—trek into China’s rural Guangxi Province where cholera is decimating the locals. Their visit is hardly altruistic. Walter has caught Kitty in an affair and this trip is her punishment.
While Walter, a bacteriologist, fights the disease, Kitty offers her services to the Catholic-run hospital. One day the nun…
too worried to wed
Wang Guiying is 107 years old and looking for love. Born in the southern Guizhou province of China, she steered clear of marriage until this point because she grew up watching her uncles criticize and abuse their wives. According to the centenarian, “All the married people . . . lived like that. Getting married was too frightening.” Like this woman,…
tomorrow
Let's talk about tomorrow—today. What will your tomorrow be like?
Tomorrow could bring death. From the moment we're born, we're dying. Someone has said that death is one appointment you may postpone, but can't cancel (see Psalm 89:47-48).
Tomorrow could bring about sickness (Job 14:1-2). We desire a healthy life. But we have to deal with the fickleness of life and our…
