One early morning in June, just as the sun highlighted the red-tiled roofs of Lisbon, I walked down the street to a pastry cafe, pastelaria. Elderly folks chatted at the counter with the barista, who had been up since 5am receiving the pastry and bread delivery. A middle-aged man read the paper. Two women walked… Read More Facing the Device
Everything is cancelled this week. School, programs, events, regular meetings. Talk to friends, “Can you get together?” Sorry, we’re busy getting ready for Easter. What could you possibly be doing for an entire week to prepare for Easter? By default, I viewed their Easter preparations through my cultural lens. This celebration was far in the… Read More It’s Easter this side of the Schism
Like millions of people outside the United States, I am watching the U.S. elections from afar but with great interest. Given the headlines and the articles on my news feed, on any given day my emotions can range from incredulity and disgust to pangs of dread over the potential outcome. As a student of political… Read More Thinking Biblically in an election year, no matter where you live
In recent years I have been reading – relishing, absorbing and studying – books by or about Christians who have long since died. Several years ago when I completed the contract for my full-time employment and chose not to return to the job market, I purposed to read more classics on Christianity, theology and the… Read More Read any dead people lately?
A year is a long time. I don’t remember many details from the first few months of the year, much less details of life last month. I offer this short list as a sampling of things I remember that have made an impression on me this year, things that have instructed or informed my opinions,… Read More The Flower Fork and other lessons from 2015
Before the last presents are open and the turkey is still hot on the bone, we start thinking about goals and resolutions for next year. However, before we long for the changes the future might bring, it is important to reflect on the previous year. We often look back on last year with a mental… Read More What Do You Have to Show for the Year?
Traveling outside your home country and living abroad can be transformational. It doesn’t just change your perspective on foreign food or fashion. If you are a follower of Jesus, God can use travel to work on your soul. This guest post is by MaryAnn Slayton, an American citizen who has spent decades outside the United… Read More For those who travel and yearn for home – A Guest Post
This piece I wrote was published at The Gospel Coalition nearly two weeks ago. In light of recent events, it’s more timely than ever. ********************************************************************************************************************** Last spring I promised my kids a visit to a new playground. It was early evening when we pulled up to the play structure in an urban Virginia neighborhood a mile from… Read More Where Can We Be Safe?
Men, women and children serge toward the fence under the watchful eye of border police. Babies nap in weary strollers caked with mud. Lines of people move in a slow shuffle, all that remains of their worldly possessions slung over their shoulder in backpacks that used to carry their university study books. Young professionals, now… Read More Who is on the front line of the refugee crisis?
Last week, as I picked up my children from the play area at a mall in southern Romania, a couple walked out of the large play place with their adult daughter. It was apparent the daughter had thoroughly enjoyed herself. I almost cried for joy as my girls noticed her awkward gait. “She is SO… Read More The Darkest Corners on Earth
