We read the reports and hear the news. The church’s influence is waning. The tide of culture is crashing, sweeping our morals, our structure, and our ability to have impact in the world. No longer dominant, no longer in control, Christians are shrinking to minority positions. And in that vacuum, the opposition is coming in. We see it in our culture, with laws and regulations that run counter to our beliefs. We see the state take the minds of the... Read more
Last month took part in a writer’s tour of Jordan. I met some amazing people and experienced a trip that changed my life. Safe, interesting and expansive to the soul and the mind, it’s “The Other Holy Land” in my opinion. While I was over there, a group of four of us were part of a short, four-minute video where we reflected on our pilgrimage. This was shot in the middle of a Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert. I wanted... Read more
I never meant to be in a fight, let alone one played out across the world. But this one has crossed the ocean, jumped the divide, and struck a chord right in the heartland of America, the heartland of my very soul. I wanted to spend the rest of my days writing about thoughtful pursuits, faith, and hope. I wanted to be a man of peace that would age gracefully, allowing the gray hair to take over my head one... Read more
The Dead Sea is a unique spot. One of the lowest spots in the world, the Jordan River dumps fresh, vibrant water into it's depths. And there, everything living thing is choked out by the salt. The sea has one inlet, and no outlets. There are relationships like this, and homes, and churches. There are people who take, and never give. There is no lower place a human can sink...no lower place on earth for them to reside. Read more
So, here I am. My neck red from years of misunderstanding. But now I'm ready to stand up for my brothers and sisters, to extend love to the enemy, and to pray for peace. I'll do it alone, or you can can you stand with me. It does not matter. Read more
Raed Haddad has been a tour guide for 21 years, and he's a natural. He has a heart for his country and loves his people. “This is the birthplace of faith,” he reminds us. “The Holy Land wasn't defined by nation's boundaries as much as it was by tribes.” But what comes out in every conversation is his heart for his faith. As a committed Christian in this country, his faith is under fire every day. “I cannot separate my faith from what I do,” he admits. “If God is true, He must be everything.” Read more
Paul tells us to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). His choice of words conveys the sense that even in this world of righteousness and evil, it’s the place in-between that we need the most guidance. I could have delicately danced my way through the intricacies of the new job, but I would never have been able to hold my head up high, be honest with my kids, or look my mother in the eye. Read more
For just a few moments the laughter and conversation from the others stopped and I was struck by the silence. A bird chirped a distant cliff. A rock tumbled down into a pile. The sand buffered the heavy hooves and the only sound was the swaying of the saddle. But for the most part it was completely serene. Is that you God? Read more
I yelled at the Galilean, telling him him to go back, but he never even looked at me. He moved forward with a resilient love. We were all so afraid of these men, but Jesus' face had none of that fear – just compassion. So I stopped – and for a moment, I understood what others were saying. There was something about him. Read more
I was an intruder. I didn’t belong. Someone will surely figure it out. What was I thinking? I walked up to the simple concrete building with the illuminated cross on the roof. As I looked out across the skyline, I spotted two other buildings, adorned with crescent moons on their ridges. I heard calls to prayers echoing across the city. Like a children’s book, it didn’t take long to see what wasn’t the same. I walked into the Melkite Greek... Read more
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