Real Community is Hard

By Jeff Goins, Editor This word – community – that we throw around (sometimes cavalierly) is, in practice, pretty tough. Part of what Jesus was teaching his twelve disciples by calling them to join an itinerant ministry for three years was that they would have nothing to depend onstable jobs, comfortable homes, or guaranteed mealsbut … Continue reading Real Community is Hard

Church in Africa

By Stephanie Fisk She is led into the room, just like many before her. She grips the arm of her leader. An old, tattered, grey shirt is wrapped around her head. Blue cloth hangs loosely off her body as her bony shoulders poke out between the holes. A wrap skirt clings tightly to her waist, … Continue reading Church in Africa

Global Kin

By Deana Hartman Stela came to be a part of our family in an unusual way. I did not give birth, nor was there a foster care period or hearing for an adoption. Instead, I found Stela online. I placed her biography in a shopping cart and ‘checked out’. This process took about fifteen minutes … Continue reading Global Kin

A Supernatural Reality

By Stephanie Fisk In Mozambique the supernatural pervades the natural on a daily basis. The blind see, the deaf hear, sore, crippled backs are transformed into dancing bodies. Joy is prevalent and contagious, I see this everyday. A revival is here. The Holy Spirit is taking over Mozambique individual by individual. The supernatural manifests and … Continue reading A Supernatural Reality

Lucky $2 Bill, Part II

By Jeff Goins, Editor Continued from Lucky $2 Bill: Introduction: I used to collect coins. About six months ago, I sold my coin collection to make some extra money and to simplify my possessions. I kept a $2 bill as a remembrance of that hobby. Ever since then, I had been carrying the bill around … Continue reading Lucky $2 Bill, Part II

Free to Love

By Amanda Petersen Amanda writes as she prepares to visit Thailand for several months this summer. You can read some background information on her trip here. I am a month away from Thailand. How does one prepare to go into a place that resembles, perhaps, one of the closest images of hell this world knows? … Continue reading Free to Love

Charmed, I’m Sure

By Deana Hartman Monday evening, I prepared to go teach and lecture this week in the DC area about art quilting. Part of the preparation is to pack items that students may want/need to purchase from me in class (or at lecture). Mostly this is beading tools, bead stews, and patterns. I also offer charms … Continue reading Charmed, I’m Sure