Resolve
By Megan Low, Australia “I’m sorry, it has taken so long,” says Ichigo, as he face-off with Renji. “But I’ve finally found it—my resolve.” These may not be his exact lines in the anime Bleach, but he says something to the same effect. Okay, what does anime have anything to do with the new year? [...]
expecting fruit
My neighbor planted some apple tree seedlings. Several years later, the mature trees bore fruit. But there was a problem. The first bushel of apples my neighbor picked contained some unwanted guests . . . uh, pests. Worms were found, leading his wife to conclude that a few bad apples do indeed spoil the whole bunch! Since that fateful day, the only things that have munched on my neighbor’s apples are wild deer (and worms).
human chameleon
Chinese performance artist Liu Bolin is known as “the invisible man” or “the human chameleon” because he blends himself into his surroundings. To do this, he covers his entire body in paint which perfectly matches his chosen backdrop. Liu has painted himself into real-life scenes which include graphitized walls, supermarket shelves, and even telephone booths.
Story Time
As a child, I loved it when my mom read to me. I would sit on her lap and listen to every word. As she read, I examined the details of every picture and waited eagerly to hear what was on the next page.
Have you ever thought about the idea that our lives tell a story? In every situation—good, bad, or indifferent—people around us are watching and listening to the story we are telling. Our story is communicated not only through our words but also through our attitudes and actions as we respond to life’s buffetings and blessings. Our children and grand-children, spouses, neighbors, and co-workers can all observe the story we’re telling.
Paul reminds us that as followers of Jesus, our lives are like letters “known and read by all men; . . . an epistle of Christ . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor. 3:2-3).
What is the story that those around us are reading through the letter of our lives? Stories of forgiveness? Compassion? Generosity? Patience? Love?
If you’ve experienced the joy of a grace-filled life that comes from the Spirit of God in you, then welcome to the joy of being one of God’s great storytellers!
Perspective
By Ruth Lawrence, UK I have read a great deal of books that I would think of as my favorites. However if I was to narrow it down, D’Artagnan Romances would be in my top ten. It is a set of three novels by French writer Alexandre Dumas, the most famous of which is The [...]
Guest List
Qumran was a first-century Jewish community that had isolated itself from outside influences to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah. They took great care in devotional life, ceremonial washings, and strict adherence to rules of conduct. Surviving documents show that they would not allow the lame, the blind, or the crippled into their communities. This was based on their conviction that anyone with a physical “blemish” was ceremonially unclean. During their table fellowship, disabled people were never on their guest lists.
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”?
Jesus stressed the importance of forgiving those who hurt us. But if we choose not forgive others, does that put our eternal life in peril? Join us for a lively conversation between the team members.
“Are you there God? Do you see me?”–Tammy’s Story
The unexpected loss of a loved one can turn our entire life upside down. The world as we know it has changed forever. Where do we turn when overwhelming grief surrounds us? Christian music artist Tammy Trent shares her inspiring story of choosing to hope in Christ in the midst of an unimaginable crisis. Find...
work
The first thing you notice are the nets. They stretch tautly between buildings, hung to catch workers who might attempt to leap to their deaths. This is Foxconn, the behemoth factory in Shenzhen, China, where throngs of young Chinese manufacture iPads, iPhones, and computers for the world. As the nets attest, the job isn’t always fulfilling.
Perspective
By Ruth Lawrence, UK I have read a great deal of books that I would think of as my favorites. However if I was to narrow it down, D’Artagnan Romances would be in my top ten. It is a set of three novels by French writer Alexandre Dumas, the most famous of which is The [...]
Like Jesus
During a children’s church service, the teacher talked about the first of the Ten Commandments: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3). She suggested some ways for the kids to keep this command. She said, “Nothing should come before God—not candy, not schoolwork, not video games.” She told them that putting God first meant that time with Him reading the Bible and praying should come before anything else.
Another in-depth study of the Lord’s Prayer
Which action is the most difficult to accomplish, giving or forgiving?
7 Churches of Revelation, The (DVD)
Get a fresh perspective on the book of Revelation and Jesus’ message to churches in all times. Travel to the land of the Bible with host Joe Stowell to visit the ancient sites of the seven churches described in Revelation. Gain insights into God’s love for the world, His warning and correction for the churches, and His hope and encouragement for the future. A perfect resource for individual or small group study.
serve your oppressor
A few years ago some young men stole my car. They crashed it, damaging it beyond repair, and I was never compensated for it. I even had to pay to have the car towed away from the crash site! By rights, those thieves should have replaced what they stole.
Wholesome Words
A while back, an Emmy award-winning actress took a courageous stand and walked out in the middle of the Annual American Music Awards ceremony. Her reason? She grew increasingly upset and disappointed by what she described as “an onslaught of lewd jokes and off-color remarks” and raw and raunchy comments by presenters, performers, and hosts.
