They laughed behind cupped hands, grade-school whispers assessing her dress. Look! It’s as big as a tent! Peter’s face reddened as he accepted his forgotten lunch bag from his mother’s strong hand. Her face glowed, Scandinavian accent thick as she spoke love over her son in broken English. I dangled upside down from the playground bars, observing this heavyset woman adorned in a shapeless house dress swishing past her ankles. ... continue reading
I once taught a 10-year-old Sunday School student named "Chicken." That was how he introduced himself when he strolled into class ten minutes late soaking wet from walking to church in the rain. His real name was David and he was a hoot, especially as he gasped and groaned hearing Bible stories for the first time. Each Sunday, he came and revelled in the love of others and love of God before slinking to the back of the church where I discovered he often sat by himself.... continue reading
March 8 is International Women’s Day, so we’ve compiled a few books to help you reflect on God’s good plan for women. Read on for our recommendations for every girl from 7 to 97.... continue reading
One area that seems to be particularly in the crosshairs of progressive governments is schooling. The moral formation of the secular education system is designed to produce model citizens who will help us move towards a more just and equitable society. So far, so good. That’s what a Christian education system desires also. Yet their methods are at odds with each other. Christianity’s doctrine of human flourishing is now regarded as part of society’s problem, not part of its solution.... continue reading
At the transfiguration, the disciples see the glory of God before their very eyes. Mark specifically says Jesus “was transfigured before them” (Mark 9:2). The phrase “before them” suggests that this event was for the benefit of the disciples. Elijah and Moses are also said to have “appeared before them” (Mark 9:4).... continue reading
It’s unfortunately common to hear that church is one of the hardest places to be in the midst of hardship. Maybe you have limped into church, weighed down by things like sadness, fear, or disappointment. Yet the place you hoped to find healing and refuge left you feeling hurt and alone. As the body of Christ joined together in praise, you felt dislocated in your pain.... continue reading
My wife and I learned halfway through our first pregnancy that our son was not going to survive. A medical condition which we had never heard of introduced an agony we had never known. The doctors told us that our son would continue growing in the womb but would not live after delivery. Jillian would endure the discomfort of pregnancy and the excruciating pain of labor. But we would not come home with our son, Eli.... continue reading
Just before Christmas last year I saw a lovely video clip of a young boy sharing with his mum that he had been given the part of “the third door holder" in a Christmas nativity play. The little boy was overjoyed with the role that he had been given to the point that he called it a classic nativity part and celebrated like he had scored a goal.... continue reading
Many of us resolve to get the new year off to a good start with Bible reading. But if you haven’t got going yet, don’t worry. Here’s today’s devotion from our Explore Bible-reading notes. If you enjoy it, order yourself a copy of the whole three-month issue to keep going. Alternatively, you could get an annual subscription and your devotions will arrive quarterly, so you’ll be organised for the whole year!... continue reading
The psalms are meant for God’s people as much as they were meant for the authors who wrote them. They are meant to encourage, strengthen, instruct, and empathize in the myriad trials, joys, pain, and praise that we experience. So, in Psalm 6 we have just that—a universal psalm for the universal church.
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