Author Archives: pastorpaul58

How Was Your Trip?

I never know how to answer, not honestly anyway. I don’t have words that could adequately convey how it was, what it was. Was it good? Well, some of it was horrible and there were also beautiful moments. If I could explain, it still wouldn’t make sense because you had to be there, and it’sContinue reading “How Was Your Trip?”

A Bomb & A Blue Plastic Chair

There’s a bright blue plastic chair, flipped upside down and partially shattered, on the outside corner of the porch. Shards of plastic are scattered on the ground, along with jagged pieces of shrapnel from the bomb that landed about 30 meters away. Those jagged, molten chunks of metal traveled with such force and velocity thatContinue reading “A Bomb & A Blue Plastic Chair”

Christmas: The Mystery & Mixture of Human Pain & Divine Presence

Wrapped up in this miracle we celebrate at Christmas – the miracle of incarnation, the miracle of “God-with-us” – is the reality and legitimacy of suffering. It is part of the human experience to which a transcendent God made himself vulnerable. From the beginning of this story in which God moves to intimately involve himselfContinue reading “Christmas: The Mystery & Mixture of Human Pain & Divine Presence”

Thoughts on Magic, Manipulation & Becoming a True Disciple of Jesus

I’ve been reflecting again on the fundamental power of beliefs, and how core beliefs impact our choices, relationships, and ultimately our destiny. This brought up the memory of a conversation I had with our team leader out in the village in Mali one day, a conversation that could have been mundane but went unexpectedly deepContinue reading “Thoughts on Magic, Manipulation & Becoming a True Disciple of Jesus”

This Invisible Path – Finding, or maybe just stumbling into, God’s plan for your life

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isa. 42:16). How did I get here? This question is oftenContinue reading “This Invisible Path – Finding, or maybe just stumbling into, God’s plan for your life”

Espoir, Déception et Plus Grands Projets

French version of my post on Luke 1… ESPOIR, DÉCEPTION ET PLUS GRANDS PROJETS (Lire Luc 1 : 5-80) Je ne me lasse jamais des contes bibliques de la venue de Jésus dans le monde et de tous les détails que les Écritures nous donnent sur les événements entourant ce moment charnière de l’histoire. Les personnes impliquéesContinue reading “Espoir, Déception et Plus Grands Projets”

Hope, Disappointment, & Bigger Plans

I finished writing this devotional piece this morning to send to international staff serving in places like Sudan and South Sudan – challenging places where life is unpredictable, the work is hard, and disappointment is often part of the landscape. You might want to refresh your memory of Luke chapter one so that you’ll haveContinue reading “Hope, Disappointment, & Bigger Plans”

A Hopeful Conversation

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11) Before you roll your eyes at someone taking this verse out of context for the millionth time, I’m aware of the context. The peopleContinue reading “A Hopeful Conversation”

And now for something totally different…

I’ve just done something I’ve never done before, and would never have pictured myself doing. It’s kind of about cancer, and about fitness and how it helps me stay a step ahead, and … well… I’ve just entered a fitness competition! I was worried that people might think this was a ‘show-off’ kind of thing,Continue reading “And now for something totally different…”