By Sam Townsend “How have I ignored this situation?” Five years ago, Lynne Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago asked that question when she saw the AIDS crisis firsthand in Africa. On a warm October evening in Amman, Jordan, she asked that same question again, this time about the growing danger the Middle … Continue reading The Thirsty Rock of The Middle East
By Jeff Goins, Editor Tamara Park is author of Sacred Encounters: From Rome to Jerusalem. She works as the Pastor of Community for Warehouse 242 in Charlotte, NC, USA. Here’s an interview she did with Wrecked about her journey of discovery: Can you share a little bit about how you were led to go on … Continue reading Sacred Encounters: Interview with Tamara Park
By Brooke Luby I never understood Grace until I went to China. Actually I still don’t, but it fueled this immense desire to understand this concept, this beautiful reality that there is nothing I can do that will make God love me any more or any less. I am not sure how it all happened. … Continue reading The Grace of Gulou Street
By Ben Girdler Christmas morning, I was in a car crash that sent my fiance to the hospital for several hours and totaled my truck. A week and a half later, my fiance found out that she will lose her health benefits at the end of January. A week after that, I lost my job … Continue reading God Provides: The stress of life and generosity of people
By Josh Bottomly I am a white-skinned father with a black-skinned son. A little over a year ago, my wife, Amy, and I adopted our son, Silas, from Ethiopia. Silas turned two in December. Today our conversations tend to revolve around our favorite snacks – yogurt and lemon pound cake at Starbucks – and favorite … Continue reading A Word of Hope: Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Andrew Greenhalgh Anyone whos dared venture their toes into any waters dealing within the realms of spirituality and the contemplative life will be familiar with the name Thomas Merton. Mertons influence has stretched from the realms of a humble Trappist monastery in Gethsemani, Kentucky, to literally the great reaches of the world. His life … Continue reading Book Review: The Journey of Thomas Merton
By Becca Herndon As I boarded the plane, eager to complete my entirely-too-long journey back to the States, I stared down at my ticket with a confused gaze. 3A was written in bold black ink. But how could I have landed a seat in First Class? I hesitated, imagining the embarrassment if I sat in … Continue reading First Class Citizens: A Story from Israel
By Jimmy McCarty The small town of San Pablo wasn’t necessarily the worst place I’d ever been or seen. True, the sewer lined cobblestone streets reeked of urine and waste water, and the mange-ridden and diseased canine population was out of control. But all in all, it was quaint. Old Catholic edifices graced every couple … Continue reading Robbed of Desperation
By Kati Bailey This past summer I got the opportunity to be a counselor at this cool thing called “Summer Serve.” It’s basically a church camp remix. During the day, you do outreaches around the community. You still eat camp food, play camp games and have worship, etc. But from 10 am to 3 pm, … Continue reading The Little Things: Taking Time To Talk
By Matt Snyder Being long-legged and then cramped in a bus for 14 hours is anything but fun. I know that we have to make sacrifices for the Kingdom and all, but after a year of sacrificing ample leg room I can only get more frustrated when these opportunities present themselves. Thing is, I had … Continue reading Sharing the Blessing