“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. A quick search […]
Two Core Indexes of Life
In our interaction with so many families at a close range, we have seen a core internal struggle of misalignment between their professed faith and daily practices. This misalignment consistently finds its root in the difference between the metanarrative of their culture and that of the Bible. It seems that the metanarrative of this world […]
Listening to God: Episode 3 (Martha & Mary)
Each episode in the series will include a reading of the Bible passage, about 3 short concept videos (like mini lessons from the Bible passage), and a prayer exercise focusing on a Psalm that you can use as a “listening practice”. Episode 3: Listening to God as We Serve In Episode 3 in our Listening […]
Listening to God: Episode 2 (Moses & Mary)
Each episode in the series will include a reading of the Bible passage, about 3 short concept videos (like mini lessons from the Bible passage), and a prayer exercise focusing on a Psalm that you can use as a “listening practice”. Episode 2: Listening to God’s Invitation In Episode 2 in our Listening to God […]
Listening to God: Episode 1 (Samuel)
Each episode in the series will include a reading of the Bible passage, about 3 short concept videos (like mini lessons from the Bible passage), and a prayer exercise focusing on a Psalm that you can use as a “listening practice”. Teaching Concept 1 – When God calls Samuel by name, Samuel (and Eli initially) […]
Listening to God Video Series: Introduction
Introduction: Taking Time for #ListeningToGod — Join Me? Recently I spent a few days with the Lord and my bike in a beautiful place near home in Arenzano, Italy. I had some projects (namely this one) to develop, but I had been sensing an invitation from the Lord to take some time to breathe deeply, […]
What is God like in our grief?
The “G” word. Who’s uncomfortable? I’ll say it again… “GRIEF”. [This is the best graphic I could find to describe my experience of grief.] Remembering experiences of grief… Using the words of the psalmist as a guide, we can remember our grieving, and see how God has met us in our grief. Get your tissues […]
The Spirit of Adoption
One Challenge is blessed to have mission pastor Gill, and his wife Karen, at OC International for over 20 years. They have served as OC workers in Asia, and they are now based at the U.S. Mobilization Center in Colorado. In 2020, Gill took on the role of mission pastor to encourage, pray, counsel, and […]
Choices
We make 100s of choices every day. An exercise in building awareness is to try and notice every decision you make in a day, or part of a day. In my practice of this exercise, I’ve noticed 3 categories of the choices I make in a day. Most of the choices in my day don’t […]
What Battles are You Fighting?
Castles and fortresses light up my imagination. They were built not as a palace for luxury or pleasure, but as a protection from imminent danger. The enemy could be right on the other side of the wall or gate, but the people are safe inside. In times of war, Kings and Queens, as the treasures […]