One of my favorite bible chapters for a long time has been Hebrews 11. I remember hearing it preached as a teenager, when my faith was being challenged by realities of the world, and moving beyond the easier, Sunday-school style answers, seeking more substantial answers to difficult problems.
Read MoreWe’re bombarded with ideas about prayer. For a long time there were a-lot of “prayers” showing up in my e-mail IN box. Some were probably totally fine prayers, but some were just plain weird. Especially the ones that came with instructions and a warning like: send to 9 friends within 24 hours or the prayer won’t work, or even worse certain doom will soon be yours. You’ve got to be kidding. Prayers with threats attached to them really just don’t float my boat.
Read More“. . . they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they kept silent, for on the way thy had argued with one another about who was the greatest.” Mark 9:33
Generally speaking, Fellowship requires words. It is only when they cease to flow between us that we realize that it is likely the fellowship, like the exchange of words, has fallen out of use.
Read MoreThe bible study group I am part of here in Thailand is currently studying the book of Ephesians. It has been an interesting and enlightening book to study with this particular group. We are all twenty and thirtysomethings, from all areas of the US and the globe, with vastly different backgrounds and vastly different ministries. Time and time again, when discussing topics ranging from faith, to politics, to culture, to missions, we have disagreed. It almost seems inevitable, with a group this diverse, this young, this headstrong and this engaged, both with each other and in the world.
Read MoreFrom early childhood buddies to friends I met in college and beyond, I am very thankful for the community of friends God has put in my life. Diverse in their personalities, careers, ages, and talents, I am blessed to know each one.
Read MoreLenten reflection by Mary Pandiani*
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3 NIV)
In my dissertation focus about wisdom that is shaped in aging, I discovered a woman who re-started the research around wisdom, a somewhat ethereal subject where few people can define it. Her name, Vivian Clayton started out quite passionate about the subject in 1970s and 1980s.
Read More
