Ministry > DanielParker
Known by God
“Who is this stranger?” A college student in Georgia (USA) asked that question when a fellow student texted him saying a DNA test showed they could be brothers. Separated by adoption almost twenty years earlier, the young man texted a reply in which he asked what name the other student had been given at birth. He immediately answered, “Tyler.” Replied…
Detective Work
In 1986, Sir David Suchet, the English actor known for playing detective Hercule Poirot, began a quest to understand the resurrection of Jesus. Wondering what would happen after he died, he began reading the book of Romans. After twenty years of careful consideration, he committed fully to believing in Jesus.
“Without the resurrection there is no faith,” Suchet concluded, echoing Paul’s…
As Spring Follows Winter
Standing trial for the “crime” of writing about his nation’s unprovoked invasion of another, the journalist made his final statement. Yet he didn’t defend himself. Instead, he spoke boldly. “The day will come when the darkness over our country will dissipate,” he said, “when at the official level it will be recognized that two times two is still four; when…
God Remembers
Sok Ching had just recovered from Covid-19 when her aged mother took a fall. Days later, her mother died. Then her estranged husband filed for divorce and threatened to fight for custody of their young son. Sok Ching felt like she was going through a desert, totally drained of life. Where is God? she wondered. Does He know what I’m…
The Sweeper’s Prayer
When Raza saw a man sweeping his street, he felt sorry for him and gave him some money. The man thanked him and asked Raza if he could pray for him. Surprised, Raza wondered how to answer, feeling conflicted but wanting to make the man happy. He consented and the sweeper prayed, giving thanks for the money and for Raza,…
Way More
George had a passion for telling others about Jesus. He organized a gospel crusade in his high school. In college, he recruited two of his friends to distribute the Bible in Mexico. George Verwer later founded the international ministry Operation Mobilization.
Successful though he was, Verwer was aware of mistakes he made. In his book Messiology, he wrote, “I believe history…
Finding Joy in Longing
Author Susan Cain’s research revealed that people played the happy songs on their playlists an average of 175 times but the sad songs 800 times. What is it about sad music that’s so compelling for many? Cain suggests it has to do with our hunger for longing—“joy that’s laced with sorrow. Which is often triggered when we experience something so…
When Disappointment Comes
To try to rid himself of his disappointments, a man decided to auction off his belongings on eBay. He said, “On the day all my possessions are sold, I intend to walk out of my front door with my wallet and passport and nothing else.” He planned to visit his mother before heading to the airport. "I'll see where life…
Adrift
A man desperate for work agreed to spend six months miles from shore on a tiny fishing hut—lighting lamps to attract fish. His only human contact occurred once a week when supplies were delivered. Disaster struck when the hut’s mooring broke and he drifted hundreds of miles out to sea. His hopes later sank as he watched ten ships pass…
IN-Easter—The Hope of Easter
Introduction
CLOUDY VISION
In March 2013, I spent a week in and around Tromso, a Norwegian city located within the Arctic Circle. Coming from a city-state on the equator, I was looking forward to experiencing snowfall in its softest powder form. But what I was hoping for more than that was to see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern…
IN-The Heart Of The Gospel
From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, we trace Jesus’ footsteps on the path that leads him to the cross. It’s a familiar story but an all-important one, one that speaks of God’s immense love for His people and the extent to which He would go to save us from our sins. Let’s shrug off any familiarity and approach the most…
IN-Humble Heart, Open Hands
Amy Peterson wonders if there may be “some hereditary reason for the fact that most of my dreams involve buses, trains, and backpacks.” From an early age much of her passion has focused on ways to see the world and make a difference in it. Having put reality to many of those dreams, she has learned that things are never…
IN-Faith that Triumphs Over Fear
On a hot summer night in April of 1999, Rachael Barnabas was alone at home with her boys aged 9 and 8 respectively. Her husband has gone abroad on business and she was alone at home. That night as she climbed upstairs to her bedroom, she thought she saw a flash of black in the window, but then on closer…
IN-How can I deal with my anger?
We often think of anger as being explosive and aggressive. When it hits, it can feel like an inner fire. We see red and feel hot and sweaty. Our stomach churns, our blood pressure rises and we prepare to do some serious damage to whoever’s responsible for our pain.
At other times we keep our anger locked up inside, burying it…
Chill or Kill
Read: Psalm 4:1-8
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent (v.4).
American President Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favouritism. Stanton complained to Lincoln, who suggested that Stanton write the officer a letter. Later, Stanton told the President he was ready to send…
