Category: featured
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Bragging Friends and Dirty Laundry
«I’ve bragged about you today.» She smiled at me. Flushed, I immediately wanted to tell her to stop, go back and rectify. I knew that no matter what she had said, I would feel the need to balance it all out by listing up all my flaws and shortcomings. I do that. Like, on a…
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Turning Time – From Everyday Magic to God Inquiries
I invited a friend to come over and this conversation followed: – So, will you be here on Monday? – I really want to, but it coincides with the kids’ bedtime. – Oh yeah, that’s right. – If I ask the babysitter to put them to bed, they’re likely to stay up late and get…
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Learning from the Best – Meet our Friend Martin
Leadership is hard. Lonely. Underpaid for limitless hours. You don’t hear much about church leaders who have been in full-time ministry over decades. Maybe because few last that long. But even those who do hardly ever figure in the headlines. If they do, it’s because they’ve done something deplorable, unspeakable… that we’d like to talk…
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Holding Our Worship Hostage – How do We Walk through Pain?
I’ve met people from every walk of life and they all have one thing in common: they’re heading somewhere. Although someone might be living in the same house, doing the same job, or entertain the same hobbies for years on end, they are still in a process of some kind. Change is not optional. We…
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The Look of Hope
The morning was hot and damp, but I still woke up excited. It was HOPE DAY; a day for changing lives and crafting futures. We got into the car and drove into the jungle of Laos. It was important to get to the village before the roads were flooded due to the rain season. We…
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Jungle Life in Laos
We wandered through markets in Laos at the break of dawn. Small pigs were stuffed into customized baskets that came with a handcrafted handle on top, making sure that they could easily be strapped at the back of the moped. Some made sure to tie a branch or a few leaves on top to protect…
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Called to Feel
Those who follow me on social media will have registered that I’ve been traveling a bit this summer. Rather than blogging about it concurrently, I decided to stay present in the moment. To experience. Feel. Cry. And ponder. I’ve needed some time to reflect upon everything we’ve seen and heard this summer. For the upcoming…
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Cancelled Trip and an Aching Heart
Our upcoming trip to Mozambique was cancelled due to the political unrest in the province of Cabo Delgado. Our hearts go out to the Mozambican people, the evangelists, the missionaries, and the refugees who have fled from piles of ashes that used to be their homes. Many have lost loved ones, and fear is tangible.…
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Languages, Humiliation and Carrots
Years ago, we lived in Barcelona, Spain, learning the language little by little. Most people spoke Catalan, making Spanish their second language. Very few people spoke English, which provided us with an excellent opportunity to learn the language. And to die to ourselves. On a daily basis. Learning a new language is humiliating. You babble…
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Messy Promotions – The Problem of Enlarged Territory
Right now, I’m thinking that Jabez was a lunatic. An irrational whacko. A moronic nitwit. But then again, God listened to him and appreciated his request, so the nitwit might be me. Remember the story of Jabez? The guy from 1 Chronicles who asked God to enlarge his territory? Why would he do such a…