Thinking About God

Love

Free the Girls, Human Trafficking, Justice, Kids at Risk, Thinking About God -

I spend a few hours each week with women and girls that have survived the horror of being sold, and of being exploited for someone else’s gain. I’m not a psychologist, and I’m not a trauma counselor. Those are not my roles in the lives of these women and girls.  I simply try my best to be a truth-speaker, a supporter, and a friend. Every Thursday I have a small group discussion with some of them on a topic related to God. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, so this week, love seemed like the natural thing to discuss. Love. How on earth could I begin to talk to these girls about love? They’ve lived through trauma and pain that I couldn’t find in my darkest nightmares. Life has not brought much […]

Am I Becoming Religious?

Family, Prayer, Thinking About God -

I don’t think of myself as “religious.” At least not in the sense that I am willing to mindlessly repeat actions because that’s “right” or “required.” I like to think that I consistently act from the heart. Apparently I’m not as consistent as I thought, and it took a six year old to show me that. Last night we had some friends at our house, and everyone was downstairs talking while I went upstairs to rush the kids through the bedtime routine so that I could get back to my company. I quickly tucked Ian in with his stuffed animals, and said a standard bedtime prayer thanking God for the day and requesting a peaceful rest for my son. And then a small voice asked me two big questions. “How […]

“The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing, Missionaries”

Missions, Stuff We're Reading, Thinking About God -

This morning I read an article that everyone is posting all over social media. The article from Christianity Today raises some interesting points, and highlights some research in the area of missions. Click the link below to read the whole article: The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing Missionaries The article specifically mentions the impact that 19th century Protestant missionaries had in shaping the future of the nations where they served. Of course, there were people during that time who did damage all in the name of Christ, and it’s easy to write off all missionaries because of the negative examples. But there were also many who impacted countries positively in the spheres of social justice, education, and political reform.  The article ties the successes of many modern-day developed nations to […]

New Things

Thinking About God, Urban Ministry -

Standing at the top of a brand new year, there are many things that I hope to see. It’s like looking down a long road, free of traffic and distractions. At this early stage of the year, it could lead anywhere. There are new things that I am hoping for. I’m hoping for at least one man to step out of the bonds of addiction this year. I want to see one girl understand her past does not define who she is. I want to see one child dream past the grinding poverty of his life. I want to see myself helping to make that breakthrough. I want this year to be significant, to make an impact that will echo into eternity. I know there is only one way to do that. As […]

Advent Light

Advent, Thinking About God -

Something deep in our souls longs for a light in the dark. At Christmas it spills out on Christmas trees, and advent wreaths. We  desperately want to believe the words that angels proclaim in the night. This Christmas I feel like the night is dark. I am carrying burdens. My heart aches for the girl with no safe home, and for the man who has fallen again into the addiction he hates.  My stomach turns at the poverty and desperation. The world groans under the weight of the darkness. Is this the groan that God heard from heaven on high? The cries of humanity thrown out into the night? He would not stand by. Divinity would step down, down into the groaning darkness and be born as a mortal child. God born like us. […]

The Just Church

Discovery, Justice, Short-Term Missions, Stuff We're Reading, Thinking About God -

  We are in the middle of a busy season in our lives, but I’m still trying to make my way through a few books. One of the books I’m reading right now is called “The Just Church.” It’s a book written by International Justice Mission staff member Jim Martin. I’m about halfway through and I’ve already been inspired by the story of his journey to lead his church into becoming a church with a heart of justice. One of the things he mentioned that really resonated with me is the “failure point of faith.” He talks about weight training and how muscles need to fail to become stronger. Our faith is similar. When we are confronted with terrible injustices and horrible things our faith gives out. But it also […]

The Big Picture

Crossing Cultures, Thinking About God -

It’s so easy for me to get focused on my own little corner of the world…the things I have to do this week, the day to day frustrations, and even the big seemingly insurmoutable problems. I can quickly feel like we are the only ones fighting these battles. Last week, our friends the Mullinaxes invited us to participate in a symposium sponsored by their mission. They are a fellow missionary family serving in El Salvador and they are involved in very similar ministry areas. It was refreshing to be there and here about other missionaries working in Latin America. We were able to learn, gain some insights, and even share a bit of our own experience doing street ministry in San Salvador. By the end of the week, I was […]

More Than Just Doing

Justice, Thinking About God -

We all want to do something great in our lives, we want to make an impact, to leave a lasting mark on the world. I could make a list of all the amazing people I know that are doing incredible things all across the world today. When we work with people trapped by poverty, the cruelty of others, or an unjust system we feel moved to action. This is a normal, and even righteous, response when we see evil in the world. But what if God is calling us to something even greater? “Doing justice” is a phrase that I hear thrown around quite often. It’s a somewhat trendy catchphrase adopted by lots of churches and missionaries. It’s not a bad trend because the truth is that we do need to do justice for […]

Bruised, but not Broken

Justice, Life in El Salvador, Thinking About God -

” A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness, He will bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3 Two weeks ago I stood in front of a classroom and taught this verse. I shared with students preparing for missions work the promises of God for us in the hard times. We talked about growing in the painful places and the closeness of God in the shadows. The truth is, I never knew so much about suffering until I followed God’s call to the mission field. I don’t say this in a “poor me” sense, because there is a richness to really living out a conviction and paying something for it. I don’t regret it, and I know that you don’t have to be […]

Rest for the Weary

Crossing Cultures, Family, Fundraising, Thinking About God, Third Culture Kids, Transitions -

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”   (Matthew 11:28, the Message translation)   This summer we’ve had our feet in 11 States, we’ve met with churches, organizations, and individuals that love El Salvador. We have seen the Statue of Libery, swam in Nana’s pool, had cousin sleepovers, and watched the kids hold their newborn niece. We’ve been prayed over, and we’ve prayed for. We’ve talked and talked about our […]

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