Recently I spoke with Abby, a volunteer involved in the fight against human trafficking in the sex trade. [You can watch a video of our conversation here.] According to the International Labor Organization, there are over 40 million modern slaves, many of whom are sex slaves. That’s more people than live in my entire country. … Continue reading The nightmare that isn’t a dream
community
Fertilizing Joy
[Notice - Since I’m away for vacation in August (yahoo!) the devotionals you’ll receive for these four weeks are some favourites from the past few years. Consider them previews from my upcoming book: “Up! – 313 Devotionals To Help You Start Your Day In A Biblical, Relevant Way.”] Joy. It’s listed as one of the “fruit … Continue reading Fertilizing Joy
Each of you is a part of it
This week I’ve been driving home the point that followers of Jesus don’t “have it all together.” Instead, they have it all, together. The placement of that comma makes all the difference in the world. Today l want to focus on that word “together.” The Bible calls the church the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians … Continue reading Each of you is a part of it
Being a Christian would be easy if it weren’t for this
I remember having a conversation with someone who said, “Being a Christian would be easy if you didn’t have to deal with actual people.” He was being funny, of course. But what he meant was that following Jesus and God’s commands are easy… until you have to put them into practice with actual flesh and … Continue reading Being a Christian would be easy if it weren’t for this
The privatization of free time
Harvard professor Robert Putnam has researched how communities are changing. One of the significant shifts is something he refers to as the privatization of free time. In previous decades, people would generally come home from work or school and spend their free time with other people as a part of their wider community. For example, … Continue reading The privatization of free time
How perfect or spiritually mature everyone is
A lot of people think the church is based on how perfect or spiritually mature everyone is. If you think that way, you’re always going to be disappointed in God’s church. Why? Because people continually fall short of what you think the appropriate moral standard is. Should we have standards? Of course! But keep this … Continue reading How perfect or spiritually mature everyone is
Ask not what your fellowship can do for you…
One of the most famous speeches in American history was by John F Kennedy in 1961. He said, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” It was a call to community, to think about something more than just your own individual needs. Thinking about faith, I’d … Continue reading Ask not what your fellowship can do for you…
You’re not starting at ground zero
In North America depression is on the rise. But why? It’s a complicated topic, but psychologist Martin Seligman says we have replaced church, faith, and community with a tiny little unit that cannot bear the weight of meaning—and that tiny little unit is “the self.” What I think he means is that when people used … Continue reading You’re not starting at ground zero
Uffgevva
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how individualistic our society has become. Basically, “individualism” is a way of thinking. It’s living like your own immediate needs and wants are more important than the needs of the wider community. It’s a Me-Myself-and-I way of life. I’m not saying your own needs aren’t important. But they’re … Continue reading Uffgevva
Aren’t they all our children?
Several years ago a reporter was covering the conflict in Sarajevo when he saw a young girl get shot. He rushed over to help. By the time he got there another man also wanted to assist. They lifted her into the reporter’s car and set off to the hospital. The reporter drove, and the other … Continue reading Aren’t they all our children?
