the tale of three men
Once there were three men who served in the same community—Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius.
Has God abandoned His people?
What is the current state of the church? Across the world, Christians face persecution. This has been no less evident recently in Iraq where Islamic militants have been giving Christians there a horrific ultimatum: Convert and pay a tax or die. Not only that, they have also purportedly committed further atrocities, […]
Keeping Darkness At Bay
In J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit, the wizard Gandalf explains why he has selected a small hobbit like Bilbo to accompany the dwarves to fight the enemy. He says, “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
There’s wholeness on the other side of brokenness–Pamela’s Story
In the midst of your struggles have you ever wondered if God truly cares about what you’re going through? When Pamela’s marriage began to crumble and it seemed as if all was lost, she was reminded of God’s promises and His faithfulness. It was then she found the strength to persevere through fear, forgiveness, and even single-parenting. Find power to walk forward in your own spiritual journey through Pamela’s encouraging story.
Why God sometimes forces His kids to be still
Parents know that young kids won’t volunteer to take naps. Even if a child is exhausted, he’ll resist slowing down. Often, mom and dad may have to make a child lay down! God knows when we need the rest!
the long wait
Forty years ago, as the violence in Vietnam rained down on his village, an explosion killed Ho Van Thanh’s wife and two of his children. In fear and desperation, Thanh scooped up his infant son, Ho Van Lang, and fled into the jungle. For 4 decades, father and son lived far from civilization, carving a rudimentary life out of the land. Recently, villagers exploring some 25 miles from their homes happened upon the two. Thanh, now 82, was very ill, and the villagers reached out to help him.
Are You Up for the #Icebucketchallenge?
Written by Joanna Hor Everyone seems to be drenching themselves with buckets of icy cold water these days. The Internet is awash (pun intended) with such videos—just search #icebucketchallenge. If you have not yet caught on the action, this viral Internet sensation is known as the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge”. Individuals including actors, singers, sports […]
Live In Love
In the African country where my friend Roxanne lives, water is a precious commodity. People often have to travel long distances to collect water from small, contaminated creeks—leading to sickness and death. It’s difficult for organizations like orphanages and churches to serve the people because of a lack of water. But that’s beginning to change.
Discover your place of refuge
Ever wished you had a secret place you could run to, in order to escape the chaos of life? Or to simply catch your breath? Well, discover that such a place exists, and is waiting for you!
don’t judge?
Do not judge others” may be the most popular verse in the world. It’s the one phrase from the Bible that everyone seems to know—and often misapply. A former politician continued to text inappropriate photos of himself to strangers even after he apologized and resigned in disgrace. He angrily told a disgusted voter that he had no right to judge him. Pope Francis, when asked about gay priests, replied, “Who am I to judge?” I believe he meant that it’s not his job to judge people’s sins, but many mistook it as an endorsement of a homosexual lifestyle.
No One Said It Would Be Easy
Written By Jessica Lim The Bible is clear about the steps of obedience we need to take to love our enemies. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 5:44-45 (ESV) “But I say to […]
A Word For The Struggler
There is an old adage that says, “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” It’s wise not to take on more responsibilities than we can handle. At some time, however, we will likely feel overwhelmed by the size and difficulty of a task we have agreed to do.
Discover how to reclaim a sense of biblical peace!
Life can reach a frenetic pace sometimes. Caught up in the craziness and hurry-up lifestyle, we can feel pushed and pulled in every direction. It’s a look at God’s call to “be still.”
tested
As a kid, I enjoyed helping my mom in the kitchen— especially when it came time for our holiday baking. One tool that fascinated me was the sifter. My mom stored it in a large plastic bag that kept it clean and caught any remnants of flour dust from previous projects. Turning the handle, I’d watch as the heavy clump of flour met with the metal pieces and screening to become a soft, light product.
Our Foundation
The Bavarian city of Nördlingen is unique. It sits in the middle of the Ries Crater, a large circular depression caused by the impact of a huge meteorite a long time ago. The immense pressure of the impact resulted in unusual crystallized rock and millions of microscopic diamonds. In the 13th century, these speckled stones were used to build St. George’s Church. Visitors can see the beautiful crystal deposits in its foundation and walls. Some might say it has a heavenly foundation.
