Baptism and the Missing Mind: My Baby by Matt Douglass

August 31, 2016

But such things apply to Joy, if at all, in a far diminished way. I sing the Lord’s Prayer to her, but she’ll never learn to pray. We’ll bring her to church, but she’ll never learn the basics of the faith. We’ll take care of her physically, but to what extent can we really meet her spiritual needs?

Leadership in the Wesleyan Way: Interview with Aaron Perry

August 29, 2016

Wesley’s belief in the whole gospel for the whole world had a deep impact on the wideness of leadership potential he saw in a variety of people.

In Their Words: How Pastors Pray for Their Children (And Raise Them in the Church)

August 25, 2016

“She grew up knowing the language of prayer, and feeling comfortable with prayer.”

The Enemy Who Was Not an Enemy by Carrie Carter

August 24, 2016

The man’s gaze dropped. Hesitantly, he spoke.
“We are from Iraq.”

Neighbors in the Middle East

August 22, 2016

One month ago, an American couple herded three children into a men’s room in the Istanbul, Turkey airport. The wife visibly pregnant, they settled in for the night and texted to family members in the U.S., letting them know that their flight was being delayed indefinitely – keeping some of the details to themselves. All night the parents kept vigil as the children miraculously slept through the sound of explosions, reports of shooting, sonic booms from low-flying fighter jets and men coming in with blood-spattered clothing to wash their faces and hands for their ritual Muslim prayer time.

Praying Past Politeness by Michelle Bauer

August 20, 2016

I’m going to call Martha’s the honest approach. She doesn’t stand back and say things like, “Well you must have needed another angel.” Or “It must have been your will.” She looks him right in the eye and tells him exactly what she is thinking. “You let me down. You did not do what I asked you to do. You could have stopped this from happening.” And the thing she doesn’t say but is clearly communicating is “I thought you loved us.”

I’m guessing that the disciples and other people around Jesus all sucked their breath in and waited for the wrath that was surely about to fall on Martha’s head. You can’t talk that way to God… can you?

Simple Gifts by Andy Stoddard

August 18, 2016

Today, we all have gifts that seem so small with all the needs around. Offer them anyway.

Scattered by Kimberly Reisman

August 17, 2016

let’s look closer at the story of Babel. The first thing we learn is that there was only one language and one people – “now the whole earth had one language and the same words” – that ought to be a red flag for us. It ought to alert us that something isn’t right.

Time During the Year by Elizabeth Glass Turner

Repetition does not have to imply boredom or meaninglessness – though advertisers attempt to convince us otherwise. The rhythm of seasons is a necessary beauty, like the measured count behind your favorite music.

The Walk to School by Justus Hunter

August 15, 2016

When I walk him to school, and remember the proper procedure, I ask him to teach me their prayers. It changes frequently, alighting upon virtues and visions, my wife’s butterfly spirituality passing down to our son. As he teaches me their prayer, a common refrain rolls across his lips, “Lord, help me be bold and courageous.”