For there will be no hope of real comfort if we do not first acknowledge that a great and perplexing gulf of grief and sorrow is present in our world and, at times, in our own lives. One does not see God in the whirlwind without confronting the whirlwind. Douglas Mckelvey Sometimes there are […]
The other day, I was talking with a younger friend whose mom is now dead, but even when her mom was alive, my friend was ignored first, abused next, and eventually, abandoned. This was the woman who was supposed to nurture her. Another young woman I know, when she was 10 years old, was given […]
If Christ wasn’t raised, then all you’re doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long […]
This is an interesting article I am linking to this post. This study pointed out that Mozambique is rated ‘runner-up’ for the worst quality of life amongst expats (that term includes missionaries…though not this one!). Those living in 191 countries rated 43 different aspects of life abroad on a scale of 1-7. Mozambique was near the bottom […]
As my Christmas in California draws to a close and I prepare to get on yet another plane later this week, I ponder the mysteries in the rhythm of journey and rest. Much of my life involves suitcases and travels, and in the midst of what sometimes feels like endless adjustments and transitions, I […]
“Giving Tuesday.” Let me be honest and admit that even though our ministry might benefit from the compassion it is supposed to encourage, it all sounds a bit contrived to me. Don’t get me wrong, I just made a donation to a ministry I support, and I do hope our ministry sees some hilariously […]
My last post was a tough one to write, but I do believe we are called to pray and do as Hebrews 13 instructs: “Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them.” This, to me, is the definition of compassion. Not pity which does not pray, but come-passion which feels and […]
Once again, living here, I am reminded of the fragility of life. There is, of course, the nearby cemetery that gets much too much business. When you live in one of the poorest places in the world though, that is to be ‘expected,’ though never excused. Many of you know one of my daily prayers […]
Earlier this week I gave you a glimpse into “my wild world,” sharing a real battle I face and giving an example of one of those ‘tug-o-war perspective’ stories. I mentioned I would follow-up with another example later in the week, so as promised, here it is: Example 2: Presently there is a food crisis […]
I live in a very different world than many of my friends, so I sometimes wonder what is worth sharing. Some information would be considered humorous, some horrifying, and some mundane. Truth be told, though, I can’t always distinguish between the differences. I have come to regard as ‘normal’ what many of you would regard […]