During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. John 13:2-4 Every time I turn around, it seems I’m facing some new obstacle or looming uncertainty. Resistance smacks... Read more
The truck wasn’t large, but it was covered in bumper stickers—sides, doors, and tailgate. Each sticker was an angry message against Christianity and conservatism. From pro-choice messages to Darwinism, to plain old anti-Christian one-liners, this truck must have had them all. Driving home, my mind raced. Such anger! What were this man’s thoughts as he placed the stickers on his truck? Who or what hurt him so badly to dramatically display his pain? Then, there was my personal conviction. What... Read more
by Glynn Young My first conversation with Ann Voskamp was at Laity Lodge near Kerrville, Texas. Writers and editors for The High Calling were having a late night get-together. Looking for something to drink, I walked into the kitchen and smack-dab into a spirited conversation about national health care. Ann turned to me and rather passionately asked, “What do you think?” “I think I want a glass of water,” I said. But she wouldn’t let me off the hook, and I was... Read more
by Mark D. Roberts “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Luke 6:28 When Jesus calls us to love our enemies, we might wonder what that really means in practice. Surely, we’re not to get all warm and fuzzy when we think about those who seek to hurt us. That’s our culture’s view of romantic love, not the kind of robust, challenging love envisioned by Jesus, a love that is more about action than about feelings.... Read more
by Al Hsu A few weeks ago my family moved, and we went online to reserve a moving truck. They were supposed to call us the day before our move to let us know where to pick up the truck. They never called. We tried several different numbers and offices, but no one could help us. Eventually we rented a truck from another company. Then they charged us fifty bucks for canceling our reservation. My wife was immediately indignant. This... Read more
I’ve been called lots of names in my life. One of my favorites is “the unlikely missionary.” I like that one because of what it says about who I am and where I’ve come from. It also happens to be the title of my first book. Many who know me wonder what’s so unlikely about me being a missionary. They see the missions work that defines my life now and don’t see what’s so uncommon or unlikely about me doing the... Read more
by J. B. Wood For years I was stuck in a mindset that placed an irrationally high value on ministry while under-appreciating God’s interest in using my talents, skills, and interests to pursue His kingdom in a variety of alternate forms. God has created a pretty big world out there, but many of us Christians have a tunnel-vision tendency to block out a huge portion of it. We lose sight of the sacredness of work, the benefits of education, the... Read more
by Marcus Goodyear David Ratcliffe is the chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company, one of the largest electrical companies in America. After decades of service, Mr. Ratcliffe retired in December 2010. He was gracious enough to speak with us about the high calling of his daily work. Have you learned any insights about God from leading a power company? I’m hesitant to suggest that leading a power company is any different than leading any other kind of organization in regard... Read more
by Mark D. Roberts Ephesians 4:11-16 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by... Read more
by Deidra Riggs It’s hot, so I stand under the awning at the back of the church where the sun can’t scorch the tops of my shoulders and the crown of my head. Two friends have invited me to join them for RibFest and let’s be honest here, what meat-eating woman passes up RibFest? My friends and I agreed to meet at the church, where we can park for free, because we’re frugal like that. While I wait for my... Read more
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