In 1964 in New York City, Kitty Genovese was attacked for 30 minutes outside her apartment building. She died as a result of the brutal assault. A police investigation revealed that there were 38 witnesses. These were people watching from their apartment windows. But not a single one called the police. Even as the attack … Continue reading Bystander Syndrome
faith
The hope of tomorrow today
Remember the movie Back to the Future? I think it was so popular because people loved the idea of time travel and guessing what the future would be like. Well, we don’t know much about flying cars (yet), but we actually do know what the future is going to be like. We know it because … Continue reading The hope of tomorrow today
Good Friday and a grenade
There’s a marine training facility called Parris Island. A young man signed up who was a bit out of step with the others. He was nice enough—but he just didn’t fit in. As a result he got picked on. A lot. In his barracks there were guys who were particularly mean. One of them came … Continue reading Good Friday and a grenade
Humility defined
“Hey, follow me!” That’s something you hear in a playground or park. One person leads, and everyone else follows. In Christianity, the Leader is Jesus. The rest of us are followers. But if our understanding of Jesus is somehow distorted that means we can easily get off track. One of the much-neglected traits of Jesus … Continue reading Humility defined
Royal blood
After World War Two, fifty men came out of a camp in Indochina with amnesia. They didn’t know who they were. They simply didn’t remember, and there were no records. For those who were brought back to Paris, someone had the idea to advertise in the newspapers. The idea was to tell the public about … Continue reading Royal blood
On the wall of a slave’s cell
If you go out of your way to worship God, and if someone asked you WHY you did that, what would you say? -That it spiritually feeds you? -That you like the music? -That it helps you pray? -That the sense of community is meaningful? -That it’s a sense of duty? -That God deserves it? … Continue reading On the wall of a slave’s cell
Never too late
On Christmas Eve 1992, a couple noticed something at the end of their driveway. It was a large object wrapped in plastic. Turns out, it was a wicker chair that had been stolen 18 years earlier! Attached to it was a note which read: "To whom it may concern: Approximately 13 to 17 years ago … Continue reading Never too late
More than just one moment
One of the ideas people have is that meaningful faith is formed and shaped in one big dramatic moment. Kind of like a spiritual “Big Bang” event. And in some cases, it is. But what I’ve noticed is that most people’s faith is formed and shaped over time—and as a result of MANY factors. Here’s … Continue reading More than just one moment
When WHAT you say isn’t all that matters
Yesterday we talked about thinking very intentionally about coming up with the reason for the hope that you have within you. The reason we did this is because of 1 Peter 3:15 that says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you … Continue reading When WHAT you say isn’t all that matters
What is the (real) reason for your hope?
“You don’t actually believe in God, do you?” “Why on earth would you read the Bible?” “What reason would possibly make you want to go to church?” Have you ever heard any of those questions? I’m guessing yes. And unfortunately, many of you feel overwhelmed and unprepared to give a response when someone questions your … Continue reading What is the (real) reason for your hope?
