By Shane Ambro In the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz Dorothy is on an epic journey, and every step reveals a larger part of the story, the journey becomes increasingly dangerous and even tragic. This is where most of us have been at some point in our lives. Sadly, we often find that this … Continue reading Tin Man: We can all lose heart
By Melissa Sandel This was written and submitted to us before Christmas, but we still wanted to share it with you a day after, because we thought the challenge was still relevant for the new year. We hope that it stirs something in you for this upcoming year. At Christmas time, I feel a lot … Continue reading A Different Kind of Gift-Giving
By Krystle Esch 12.05.07 From the Philippines: Today an eight year old boy named Marvin died. I never actually talked to him, I don’t really know much about him, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget him. When I first saw Marvin four days ago, he was lying limp and half naked in a hospital … Continue reading How Marvin Died
By Tony Dale Continued from Where In the World Is the Church? It is not that God just wants to raise up church in any and every place where He sends His people. He also wants to raise up apostolic and prophetic leadership to demonstrate His divine love and power to a world that is … Continue reading Where In the World Is the Church? (Pt. 2)
By Tony Dale Cathy is a teacher of 4th graders. I wonder if that training is transferable to the church context. Mike is an attorney, dealing with major corporations who are bankrupt. Could any of his legal experience be used in church life? Jim is a businessman who owns a chain of retail optical stores. … Continue reading Where In the World Is the Church?
By Karen Swank she is a wife who remembers longingly how softly he used to touch her filled with wonder whispering the secrets of his heart she felt like a queen the very desire of his heart she wants that back as she lies wooden her anger chilling the room as he tries to push … Continue reading First Love
By Karen Swank I can’t dance. Well, that’s not exactly true. I can’t dance in front of people. Umm… that’s not exactly it, either. Long ago, far away and several pounds ago I was on the high school pom pon squad and I used to do the kind of dancing where you count 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, moving … Continue reading Seduction and Dancing: For show or for the King?
By Bill Ross There I was, in a remote Guatemalan village on the side of a mountain. We had just finished building a concrete cooking stove for a family. I stepped out of the house to allow the village women to come and see the new stove, and that’s when it happened. Thankfully, I didn’t … Continue reading Julia Estufa: Redemptive thoughts from Guatemala
By Laura Kreger From our friends at Advent Conspiracy: redistribution – n. reducing inequalities in the distribution of wealth Sounds like something on a monochromatic line graph. The kind in the corner of the economics textbook page that makes your eyes gloss overnot inspire you to join a conspiracy. Is this whole thing really a … Continue reading Advent Conspiracy: A glimmer of hope
By Melissa Sandel Last summer, the junior high students from our church decided to start a revolution. Rather than succumb to a typical, lazy summer, they decided to pursue a God-sized dream. They said they wanted to change the world. That’s an ambitious goal for a group of acne-prone kids who can’t drive. They started … Continue reading A Different Kind of Christmas: Hope from Junior High kids