I Am Not Forgotten
Waiting is hard at any time; but when days, weeks, or even months pass and our prayers seem to go unanswered, it’s easy to feel God has forgotten us. Perhaps we can struggle through the day with its distractions, but at night it’s doubly difficult to deal with our anxious thoughts. Worries loom large, and the dark hours seem endless. Utter weariness makes it look impossible to face the new day.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
When Deng Jinjie saw people struggling in the water of the Sunshui River in the Hunan province of China, he didn’t just walk by. In an act of heroism, he jumped into the water and helped save four members of a family. Unfortunately, the family left the area while he was still in the water. Sadly, Jinjie, exhausted from his rescue efforts, was overwhelmed and swept away by the river current and drowned.
Wall Posts: What My Facebook Friends Do Not Know
A while ago, I was online chatting with an old college friend who suddenly sent me a message saying that I have “a beautiful life.” (Note: This was written in my dialect, so the English translation may not do the expression full justice.) My first response was that of […]
Step Up!
When a woodchuck started eating our garage (well, just the trim), I bought a live trap with plans to transplant the little guy to a park. I baited it with an assortment of goodies and opened the trap door. The next morning, I was excited to see a little critter in my trap—until I noticed that it was no woodchuck. I had snared a skunk.
Let’s discover the purpose behind trials of faith, and conclude our series in James chapter 1
God doesn’t allow us to go through trials and temptations just to see us squirm. There’s a reason and goal behind every challenge we face. It’s an inspiring message to help us hang on and stay the course.
The Mountainous Task I Faced
“I could’ve died.” That was the only thought that flashed through my mind as I sat at the back of a small police van with 11 of my friends. … Just two hours ago, my friends and I embarked on a climb of Cape Town’s Lion’s Head Mountain. I’ve […]
Terms Of Service
If you’re like me, you seldom read the full text of contracts for online services before you agree to them. They go on for pages, and most of the legal jargon makes no sense to ordinary people like me.
How we’ll never know faith works, until it’s put to the test!
That summertime hammock may look sturdy and well constructed. But it’s not until we commit to laying down that we find out if it can hold us up! Another helpful study in James, chapter 1.
Life is not just Dungeons and Dragons
Written By Shawn Quah There is a game I play called Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). It is one of the oldest role-playing games, and according to Wikipedia, “the best-known and best-selling role-playing game” as of 2006. It was created to be played using defined rules, pen, paper, dices and of course, one’s imagination. While some […]
A Picture Of Humility
During the Easter season, my wife and I attended a church service where the participants sought to model the events that Jesus and His disciples experienced on the night before He was crucified. As part of the service, the church staff members washed the feet of some of the church volunteers. As I watched, I wondered which was more humbling in our day—to wash another person’s feet or to have someone else wash yours. Both those who were serving and those being served were presenting distinct pictures of humility.
Discover answers for dealing with life’s challenges in James 1
Is there a difference between a “trial” and a “temptation”? Let’s explore James 1 for answers on dealing with life’s challenges. We’ll find that our response to those challenges makes all the difference!
The Day I Stared Death in the Face
I was hesitant to watch initially. But missing it would mean missing the complete Toraja* experience, so I relented. It was traumatizing. Over a mere 15 minutes, I witnessed how five buffalos were killed, as part of a funeral ceremony unlike any other I had experienced before. A total […]
Life’s Darkest Moments
Charles Whittlesey was a hero’s hero. Leader of the so-called “Lost Battalion” in World War I, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery when his unit was trapped behind enemy lines. When the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated, Charles was chosen to serve as pallbearer for the first soldier laid to rest there. Two weeks later, it is presumed that he ended his own life by stepping off a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean.
How our faith is seen more in the small, daily battles, than in the big events we face
The Bible is full of stories of how faith enabled ordinary people to defeat giants, survive a den of lions, and move mountains. A conversation on James, chapter 1.
When Jesus Couch-surfs
The Internet is often described as a “safe” way to get to know new people because of the option to disconnect with someone if we feel that our personal space is being infringed on. But a friend recently introduced me to a kind of social networking designed to allow […]
