“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” –Jesus to Philip and the others, as quoted in John 14:12 (NLT) Once in a while, I come across something I’ve read seven, seventeen or maybe seventy times and it will be like I never heard it before. It’s kind of like when I’d tell my kids to straighten their rooms. So it was at a recent service when the pastor referred us to t

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” Romans 14:1 Writing a faith-based blog, preaching in churches, writing an article for a magazine, maintaining social websites…. these all sound pretty important and prestigious, don’t they? I’m honored to think that people want to hear my opinions. They read what I write and hear what I say and take it all in. It’s pretty cool. Except that sometimes, I say something controversial. And then m

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 Over the years, I have been blessed with great working and personal relationships with persons of many faiths, ethnicities and cultures. Past bosses and peers included Jews, Muslims, a Mormon, Evangelicals, Catholics, a Hindu and atheists who hailed from five different continents. Most of my experiences hammered home the mantra of my mother, that “We are all God’s children”. T

“Life is a car ride, isn’t it?” I asked. Yesenia smiled at me and continued watching the scenery without a response. I couldn’t be sure if this was encouragement to expand on the thought or if she simply didn’t understand what I said. Our different primary languages allows for moments like that. I continued speaking as I usually do. I found myself rehashing many of the similes, metaphors and analogies you’ve probably read here before. Working our way around the potholes and o

Testimonies are really big down here. Whenever there is a special guest or a ceremony, someone feels obligated to share their story with everyone. Most tell stories of addictions, or experiencing a terrible accident or illness when they find Christ. It kind of made me wonder. Is it a requirement to have such a testimony to say I am a good Christian? Do I lose my born-again status if I haven’t experienced homelessness, physical or emotional pain or maybe even jail? When a past

“Why are you here?” This is a question I love to ask first-time missionaries as they arrive from the USA. The most common answer is, “I just feel I need to do something.” Many will cite the needs of the location that have travelled to. That they feel they have so much and want to give something to the less-fortunate. Many cite the Bible and how it says to reach out to the poor and the least of His children. My first short term mission trip was in 2010. When I boarded the pla

“Choose!” Sometimes the Bible can seem a little harsh. Every once in a while, I have to go back and re-read or research translations of verses that make me say, “Yikes!” Luke 9:61-62 is one example. Here someone feels called and tells Jesus that he just wants to say good-bye to his family before he hits the road with Him. Jesus rebukes the follower with, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." In other words, “you’re on bo