While I typically attempt to express myself in a manner that my words would be applicable in any season, I’ve written these thoughts in the wake of the re-election of Barack Obama to a second term as president. And so I have felt free to borrow the title from the slogan of a prior campaign, …
Celebrity
Why is our society captivated by celebrity? It seems that merely a spark of fame or notoriety breeds adoration. Some admire the actual accomplishments of others (which brought them fame) while many seem to adore those whose abnormal behavior brought them attention. It would be effortless to name a string of current celebrities without any …
Alive to the Spirit
We are cruising on the road through the Hungarian countryside – a beautiful, crisp morning of 3º C at the end of autumn, the shades of brown, auburn, tan, rust and gold foliage contrasting with the grey skies. Patches of green trees interrupt the landscape briefly, distracting us from the coming winter. My heart is …
Guest column: A safe mission
By Brianna Alexander It was supposed to be a “safe” missions trip. All I had to do was drive 20 minutes to church, hammer in a few nails, help carry some heavy wood pieces, and voila! I would have helped build a loft house for a family in Mexico and spread the love of Christ …
Whose vote counts?
The privilege of self-government is an amazing blessing in our republic – few nations have historically given every citizen the right to freely cast a confidential ballot without fear of reprisal. Today’s midterm election in the U.S. is a reminder that we have a remarkable opportunity to choose our leaders. In fact, as I worked …
My Part, God’s Part
There are many theological dynamics to the concept of “My Part / God’s Part” - after all, if God the Father planned salvation, God the Son accomplished salvation and God the Spirit applied salvation, then my part is simply to receive salvation. Easy enough? So once I’m saved – by grace alone, through faith alone, …
3 Game Changers for Living the Christian Life
You want to live with purpose? Make sure you’ve got a grip on three things the Bible says will last forever and keep your eyes on the eternal. Here’s a snapshot of how to draw your power for living the Christian life from the One who designed and called you:
Not my will
Why am I going back to Haiti again? A third time? Sometimes people assume that because of my heart for God or my heart for the lost, I’m just not like other people. After all, everyone knows that missionaries aren’t normal. We can’t relate to them because they’re just wired differently. Maybe so. Maybe not. …
Shell shock
As the church leadership team gathered for a meal, planning and prayer, someone asked about my recent return from Haiti. I’d been having a bit of trouble knowing how to answer some of the questions this past week. Joe turned to me and asked, “Do you have PTSD? I fought in Vietnam and I know …
In the streets of Port-au-Prince
The sun was still overhead, but the sensation of spiritual oppression was all around us. We walked from the presidential palace, whole floors collapsed, past the piles of rubble which had been the Haitian treasury building. A caravan of military vehicles made its way through the recently plowed streets. More than three weeks after the …
