By George Elerick Death isn’t fun. I have yet to meet someone who is excited about death. The commercials that sneak across our screen whispering that we can fight what’s inevitable gives this false hope that we might not die. Statistics say that one out of one people will die. And statistics don’t lie. Death … Continue reading A State of the Union for the Church
By Tim Chermak As the college spring break season winds down to a painful finale, let us pause to remember the glory days of our youth — beautiful Caribbean beaches, random hookups, binge drinking, morning hangovers, and crappy hotels. This was the life. This justified a little credit card debt. Not too much, but … Continue reading Spring Break Syndrome: An Escape from Ordinary
By Josh Casper A lot of times, when I think of the word, “compassion”, I think of Mother Teresa’s beautiful and wrinkled hands wrapped around a child’s face or two people embracing after a lifetime of brokenness. There is no simple definition to compassion nor can it be held together by simple means of a … Continue reading Simple Compassion Book Review
By Ashley Huizenga There were no erasers or boards, but there was chalk. And chalk was the word God gave me. Before leaving the US. I thought it was going to turn into a creative fund-raising event idea-but things never quite panned out. I didn’t know if I should give up on the idea … Continue reading God’s Word in Chalk: Missions Through the Arts
By Matt Snyder “I’m not from Nashville. I’m from Columbia. There’s a correctional facility around there and, well, I got out about a month ago.” He fit the profile. He was in worn clothes, a bright red jacket, dirty white shoes, and hadn’t shaved for weeks. His mustache curled precariously over his upper lip and … Continue reading Meeting An Angel on the Street
By Tim Chermak After many hours spent studying, researching, reading, and contemplating, I have come to a less than satisfactory conclusion concerning the state of Christian ethics, which provides the foundation for my own personal ethical system. This hypothesis is neither definitive nor clear; rather, it is a frail attempt to name something which cannot … Continue reading Toolbox Jesus: Thoughts on Christian Ethics
By Carole Turner Hear No Evil‘s subtitle is “My Story of Innocence, Music, and the Holy Ghost”. A lot of it is set in the Christian music world of the 80’s and 90’s. Matthew Paul Turner, the author, was raised Fundamentalist Baptist; he didn’t go to a movie until he was 19 years old, and … Continue reading Book Review: Matthew Paul Turner’s Hear No Evil
By Phillip Tappan West of Jay there grows a sturdy oak; Tall, mature, distinguished even- Yet full of plight and sorrow. “My neighbors have been coveted” it groaned- swayed by the autumn breeze “What beauty had they that I have not? I the queen of trees!” Seasons past, as each season came, And this oak, … Continue reading A Ballad of the Seasons
By Gabi Dickinson Written in Uganda: These are the days when my “no” has been given away. Every pattern in my veins is “yes” and “amen.” Somewhere beneath copper-colored strands of His earth, lies a past I used to define myself by. As I cast my open-hands to the breeze, I felt a stronger Tenderness … Continue reading I Carry You in Me and the Dust on My Feet
By Sarah Fujimoto Yesterday I found out that a student at my school committed suicide. He jumped off the 8th story of his apartment complex to his death. The reports flippantly state his suffering with severe depression, and the stark and alarming statements of his body being covered by a white sheet at the bottom … Continue reading The Power of One: One Love, One Person, One Moment