Tag: hope
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See the Good
Many times in missions, we speak of the difficulties with greater frequency than the good things. We talk about racism. We speak of our various phases of culture shock. Stories of being hurt by those we work with abound. Even at times, we venture into difficult topics like trauma or loss. What of the positive?…
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God is Not Like WalMart
We live in a consumer driven culture today and can easily allow this influence to creep into our walk with God. At our very core, we want to feel happy and get whatever we desire, more than glorifying God, learning obedience, or serving others. In this view, it is not long before God exists to satisfy…
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If We Live Right, God Will Bless Us. Right?
The most common view of life with God today is a picture of us living under divine rules in order to avoid calamity. Follow the rules, live right, and God will bless us. Right? We want God on our side. In simple terms, we want to move his hand or manipulate him. A God who controls…
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Strengthened by Grace
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1 ESV) I came across this verse in my reading recently and spent some time considering what it means to be “strengthened by grace.” Most versions say this as “be strong in grace.” What does this mean? How could…
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When a National Disappoints You.
If you have been in missions any length of time, you have experienced disappointment with a national person you’ve trusted. It’s not a question of if, but when. Someone will break your trust, they might steal from you, or worse. I know of national workers who were entrusted with a ministry only to overthrow the…