In 1997, the two-year-old son of Guo Gangtang was kidnapped. Gangtang is a resident of eastern China. Child abduction has long been a rampant problem in his country. Childless couples desire a son who could carry on the family name. In order to acquire one, they are willing to do the unthinkable: buy a boy…
The Strength You Need: God Strengthens Us
The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. — 2 Chronicles 16:9 Missionary biography is my favorite genre of inspirational reading. Here we find accounts of truly unforgettable characters who found themselves in unbelievable situations, often in danger, doing the world’s greatest work on…
Be Anxious for Nothing
Morning The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever. • God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. • I will say of the Lord, “He is my…
But What If I Say No and They Stop Liking Me?
Let’s just call the elephant in the room what it is — a massive, dirty, grayish, tusk-adorned, tail-swinging, giant-legged, big-bellied creature with ears that some cartoon creators believe make them able to fly. And it’s in our space. We see it. We navigate around it. We let it take up room. But we don’t want…
Oh, Taste and See That the Lord Is Good
Morning The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever. • God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. • I will say of the Lord,…
God Hears
The second night of the retreat, the auditorium was packed for the evening session. Kathy (the speaker) taught from the book of Ephesians about faith and being rooted in God’s word. At the end of her teaching, she invited the worship team to lead us in a time of worship and waiting. Waiting, she said,…
Restless Study Week 2 — God’s Story
This week I had the privilege of being a part of something absolutely miraculous and gorgeous. Messy, painful, broken, agonizing, and so, so beautiful. Along the way, I discovered that you can actually grieve and giggle at the same time. An agnostic Muslim friend I’ve not seen in 26 years shared her heartbreak with me.…