By Cary Umhau Each heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share its joy, says Proverbs 14:10. Just as Jesus asked his compatriots to stay awake with him in the Garden of Gethsemane and they didnt/couldnt/wouldnt, we humans stink at being there for the long haul with each other. And we stink-stank-stunk … Continue reading Heroes and Cheerleaders: An Environment of Celebration
By Mariah Secrest Perhaps an orphan in Africa would not seem like the most likely candidate to speak to the power of togetherness. Disease, poverty, and death do not seem like features of community. Yet, the places where pain exists in its most dire form are the places in which the need for community is … Continue reading We Are Together: Lifting Voices in South Africa and the World
By Mike Martin I wake to many things just for today Rising from my bed after The quickly falling night hours Into the breath of stillness, The mystery of beauty, Promise of a new day, The summons of emerging light. I know light appears, Then vanishes for us all, Surely a holy ceremony displayed. I … Continue reading Poem: Emerging Light
By Tim Kurek There are few people I’ve met in my life that capture what it means to be a CHRISTian as much as Jim Palmer, and it’s my hope that you’ll go pick up both Divine Nobodies & Wide Open Spaces. Jim’s background includes pastoral ministry, inner-city service, and international human rights work. As … Continue reading Jim Palmer: Interview with A Divine Nobody
By Kevin D. Hendricks Ive never been homeless. Ive never had to wonder where I was going to spend the night. Ive never had to contemplate sleeping in my car. Ive never had to consider who I would call if I lost my house and had nowhere to go. Ive never had to consider how … Continue reading Homeless For A Night
By Matt Kok Is the “Little C” Church perfect? By no means. And it never has been. The belief that the institutionalized church in North America is hypocritical, dogmatic, out of touch, and no longer authentic is a broad statement. Perhaps a better way to look at it is this: There are some churches in … Continue reading Little C Church
By Jeff Goins, Editor I was at the mall this weekend, shopping with my wife. I noticed that, as I was going from store to store, feeling insecure about my un-trendiness, that Santa Claus was already taking pictures with the little ones. My wife and I argued about whether or not it was the “real” … Continue reading Holiday Cheer: What Songs Are You Singing?
By Dan Matheson Paul Reeves’ Winter’s Over: 1. Winter’s Over 2. Mystery 3. Put Me Down 4. Come To Me 5. You Make Me Believe 6. You’ll Be The One 7. Love Has Won 8. Without You 9. Dust And Steam 10. Come And See It seems ironic that Atlanta, GA based singer/songwriter Paul Reeves’ … Continue reading Winter’s Over: Paul Reeves Music
By Karen Swank “Hope is a dangerous thing, my friend.” – The Shawshank Redemption I lost my candidate before the primaries were done, before I even got a chance to vote for him. I had picked him out with great care and felt deep certainty about my choice. By the time it was my turn … Continue reading Hope: A Dangerous Thing
By Tom Schiavon The ballots have all been counted. Confetti has rained down. Two candidates to persuade us have spent nearly 700 million dollars. Promises galore have been strewn about like garbage in the park. Hours of commentary have ceased from being televised. All we are left with is an election hangover. For obvious reasons, … Continue reading Washington, Can You Hear Us?