After the sun sets, we all face the same thing. When we go home at night, everyone has to walk into a space without any light. Stepping into the room, we stretch our arm along the wall until we find the right switch to flip and light welcomes us home. This light gives us the […]
UNBROKEN & UNASHAMED
The amazing true story of Louis Zamperini
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand is a memorable story about a forgotten hero, Louis Zamperini. Many people, like me, may never have heard of Louis, but his story is unforgettable. Some say heroes are made not born, but in Louis’ case I think a hero was […]
PLANT WITH PURPOSE
One organization that helps the rural poor by restoring a productive environment that they can profit from.
Since 1984, Plant With Purpose has planted over 7.5 million trees. In seeking holistic solutions to poverty, Plant With Purpose helps the rural poor by restoring a productive environment that they can profit from. While working in the Dominican Republic with a Christian relief organization, Tom Woodward noticed that the poverty was cyclical because subsistence […]
WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?
Unpacking the Biblical message in everyday language
Often times, explaining the Gospel can be surprisingly difficult. When put on the spot for Christ, many of us become uncomfortable and cannot quite find the words to describe the faith that we have centered our lives around. Having personally encountered this unexpected reaction to the question “What is the Gospel?,” I asked several people […]
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Embracing the expressions of the Holy Spirit in our lives
Lately I’ve been praying to see people the way God sees them and to treat them as such. God sees us without blemish. Lovingly. Just as we are. He’s kind, merciful, and giving towards us. But I’ve been struggling with this for some time as I just want to love all people no matter how […]
A NEW SONG
International violinist Gert Kumi shares how he transformed from a sickly oppressed boy to a man of God
Hardship was a familiar song for Gert Kumi. The rasping, discordant tune spilled daily from the lips of his people. From 1944 to 1991 Albanians bowed under the weight of oppression. Communism muted the peaceful, spirited refrains of liberty and justice. When religion was declared unconstitutional in 1967, Albania became the first and only Atheist […]
COUNTING THE COST
A dictionary of Christian jargon for the ordinary person
While in a church context you may hear people use the phrase “count the cost.” It is usually said as counsel before someone is making a decision. It is usually applied to a major undertaking such as a business opportunity or even marriage. When Jesus used it he was actually referring to a major undertaking: […]
NATURE VS NURTURE
Eric Lee tackles the age old debate from a Biblical perspective
Nature versus nurture It’s one of the oldest debates in history. Are we just born with a set personality, intelligence, and tendencies or does our environment around us and the way we are raised shape all of that? In the Genes? For example, do we inherit most of our personality, intelligence, and disposition from our […]
THE 4TH COMMANDMENT
Remember the sabbath day, for it is holy
At the age of fifteen, I received a work permit and began applying for various part-time jobs in the small city where I lived. With every potential opportunity, I could taste freedom. There was one section, however, on each job application that seemed to mock me. “Are you available on weekends?” the form asked. Since […]
THE SIGHT UNSEEN
Our battle between the realities of the natural and supernatural
I find myself walking into a smoker-friendly room at a Motel 6 we rented for the night. Too far to drive home, my mother forgets to request a non-smoking room for her asthmatic son. Problems? Not at first. I simply got past the smell until I was no longer aware of it. But 3:00 found […]