How God Liberated Me From My Mental Battles
Depression and anxiety are no strangers to me. Panic attacks are routine, followed closely by waves of doubt and unbelief. I’ve experienced different traumas, toxic relationships, and being knocked down many times.
The Last Will Be First
Recently I was among the last in line to board a large passenger jet with unassigned seating. I located a middle seat beside the wing, but the only spot for my bag was the overhead compartment by the very last row. This meant I had to wait for everyone to leave before I could go back and retrieve it.
I laughed as I settled into my seat and a thought occurred that seemed to be from the Lord: “It really won’t hurt you to wait. It will actually do you good.” So I resolved to enjoy the extra time, helping other…
Understanding how the Bible is meant to be read
How does your cultural upbringing affect the way you read the Bible? It’s more significant than you may think. Discover how you might be “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes” when you join the Discover the Word team as they continue their conversation with Randy Richards and Brandon O’Brien on Discover the Word. Learn how to […]
Imperfect, Yet Loved
In Japan, food products are immaculately prepared and packed. Not only must they taste good but they must look good too. Often I wonder if I am purchasing the food or the packaging! Because of the Japanese emphasis on good quality, products with slight defects are often discarded. However, in recent years, wakeari products have gained popularity. Wakeari means “there is a reason” in Japanese. These products are not thrown away but are sold at a cheap price “for a reason”—for example a crack in a rice cracker.
My friend who lives in Japan tells me that wakeari is also a catchphrase for people…
Who Would Give This Bride Away?
It was the night of our first planning meeting for our wedding. All of us involved in the preparation were all buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm, right until the pastor turned to me and asked, “Who would be walking you down the aisle?”
How we mistakenly interpret the Bible through our Western cultural values
The Bible wasn’t originally written to 21st-century Americans. And if we’re not careful we’ll read our own Western cultural values into Scripture! Today on Discover the Word, we continue a conversation with authors Randy Richards and Brandon O’Brien about how to take off our Western cultural glasses and see the Bible with new eyes. Join […]
The Power of Empathy
Put on the R70i Age Suit and you immediately feel forty years older as you experience impaired vision, hearing loss and reduced mobility. The Age Suit was designed to help caregivers better understand their patients. Wall Street Journal correspondent Geoffrey Fowler wore one and wrote, “The unforgettable, and at times distressing, experience shed light not just on aging, but also how virtual reality equipment can teach empathy and shape our perceptions of the world around us.”
Empathy is the power to understand and share the feelings of another. During a time of severe persecution against the followers of Jesus, the writer of…
The Glory Of My Parents’ Divorce
There are two memories from my childhood that define my family for me. The first was as a 3-year-old running into a hospital ward with my dad after my mom had given birth to my younger brother
Exposing our blind spots
When you read your Bible, could you be wearing blinders and not even know it? We’ll get together with the Discover the Word group today as we expose some blind spots we might not even realize we have. Authors Randy Richards and Brandon O’Brien are helping us see how we may be “Misreading Scripture with […]
4 Reasons Why Not Knowing Our Future Is Good
My sister does this thing that drives me bonkers. She will take a book and, rather than reading it from start to finish, she will skip around the chapters, often reading the last page first.
Our Powerful God
One day by the seaside, I delighted in watching some kite surfers as they bounced along the water, moved by the force of the wind. When one came to shore, I asked him if the experience was as difficult as it looked. “No,” he said, “It’s actually easier than regular surfing because you harness the power of the wind.”
Afterward as I walked by the sea, thinking about the wind’s ability not only to propel the surfers but also to whip my hair into my face, I paused to wonder at our God the Creator. As we see in the Old…
“Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes”
With so many English translations available today, it’s easy to forget that the Bible wasn’t originally written to us! And when we fail to understand the context in which the Bible was written . . . we will surely misunderstand it! Today, the Discover the Word group welcomes authors Randy Richards and Brandon O’Brien for an […]
How to Disagree on Facebook
During college, I helped lead our campus ministry. One time, I got into an argument with one of my co-leaders. Somehow I ended up losing my cool and yelling at her.
Knowing Better
When we brought our adoptive son home from overseas, I was eager to shower him with love and provide what he had lacked over the preceding months, especially quality food, since he had a nutritional deficit. But despite our best efforts, including consulting specialists, he grew very little. After nearly three years, we learned he had some severe food intolerances. After removing those items from his diet, he grew five inches in just a few months. While I grieved at how long I’d unwittingly fed him foods that impaired his growth, I rejoiced at this surge in his health!
I suspect…
Who Can Give You More than Santa?
Using the well-known figure of Santa Claus as a conversation starter, this leaflet shares the gospel and encourages readers to consider the wonder of God's gift. [Read online] or [Request printed copies].
