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”
Tag Archives: Africa
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”
Scars and Sufficient Grace
Hast thou no scar?No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound?Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rentBy ravening beasts that compassed Me, IContinue reading “Scars and Sufficient Grace”
Can I Eat the Meat?
Wrestling with questions of culture while trying to communicate the Gospel faithfully… another story from life in the village. Koyala, Sunday April 7, 2013 We had a somewhat lengthy discussion this morning about what to do with meat that’s been sacrificed to idols. It wasn’t simply an abstract discussion – the meat in question wasContinue reading “Can I Eat the Meat?”
When I thought about quitting…
Months ago I had planned to start sharing stories, experiences, and reflections on life and mission in a village in rural Mali – a random collection from a 7-year period – but I got sidetracked with present day life and responsibilities. So I’m making an attempt to actually start, and I’m going to try toContinue reading “When I thought about quitting…”
A Little Help, Please?
DIY – ‘Do It Yourself’ – has become a hallmark of American life and culture. It’s a phenomenon which I suppose has its roots in our history of rugged, independent pioneers who had to be self-reliant and figure things out. But I can’t help but believe that as those small, newly planted communities were formed,Continue reading “A Little Help, Please?”
Things I never saw myself doing…
I’ve heard lots of advice over the years about the importance of making a 5-year or even 10-year plan for one’s life: ask yourself where you want to be in 5 years, envision it, and let that vision guide your goal-setting and decisions. I think it’s a great thing, even though I’ve never actually doneContinue reading “Things I never saw myself doing…”
The Human Element
With this short piece, I’m launching a series of stories about life in a village in Mali, where I worked off an on for a period of about 8 years, establishing a small evangelism/ church planting team that continues to share Jesus with the local population. My hope is that you will be inspired andContinue reading “The Human Element”
Ordinary Lives
The past two and a half years have been both rich in blessings and full of difficulty. The difficulty was not simply because I went through 4 months of chemotherapy for multiple myeloma (an ‘incurable’ blood cancer), then discovered I had a cancerous tumor in my colon that required surgery, and once I recovered fromContinue reading “Ordinary Lives”
Night Lessons from Trees & Their Shadows
“The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to theContinue reading “Night Lessons from Trees & Their Shadows”
Know This Love 