Sometimes we read of a young girl raped in a culture of shame and honor. We are shocked when the vulnerable and victimized female is...
An exploited girl She was young – probably under 13; she was likely under the influence of a drug – or more – which caused her...
The most cosmopolitan city in the world is Canada's largest city, Toronto.[1] Metro-Vancouver can't be far behind. Although these are...
What's the culture that causes you the greatest personal difficulty? When you see someone from this culture, or even think about it,...
Connecting with a culture requires connecting with people – that's a given. But each person is different from you or me, and some are...
I find it helpful to view Romans 12 as four concentric circles – like ripples in water flowing outward from a central interruption. ...
Ask yourself: “What is the relational temperature of my local church – my Jesus community?” Is it hot, warm, cool, or cold? The answer...
Last week, we ended with a proposal: as a follower of Jesus, your gifting by God is the primary way in which you are being called to...
You’ve just pumped some gas into your car. You didn’t speak to anyone; you weren’t helped by anyone; you paid by shoving a piece of...
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching...
We all experience a pull to conform to the dominant culture in which we live. What is the reason for this pull? As suggested last...
Years after graduating from high-school, she came across her old year book. Sitting down, she began to look at the pictures and...
This powerful painting by artist Jani Freimann is titled “Persecution.”[1] Take a moment to view and think about it. Like me, you...
Have you noticed that people who are different often experience forms of exclusion or hostility? Why? Here’s a simple illustration....
“I’m what? What’s naos?” you ask. “And how does it help me to live in that place of wholesome tension between faithfulness to God and...
Silly Putty[1] was all the rage when I was a kid. It is a soft plastic-type material (actually silicone polymers) discovered by...
What is an ambassador? You may picture a distinguished white-haired person in formal clothing. Perhaps a colorful sash draped over a...
The tale is told that in or about the year 1210 Francis of Assisi had an audience with Pope Innocent III. During the course of their...
Let's start with a few questions: Why is Jesus Christ important? How does a person enter into a dynamic relationship with...
Have you travelled much? In most places it is difficult to miss the religious sites. The largest religious monument in the world is...
