WHAT A WEEK! Christmas always makes me a bit sappy. When I hear the traditional versions of carols by Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby, I can’t help but smile. When I came across the original “Rudolph” while flipping channels, I just had to watch it through to the end; and I still laughed at the lame jokes and cheered when Cornelius made his way back to Santa’s. When I heard Run DMC ‘s “Christmas in Hollis” playing on a radio, it brought a nostalgic tear and a lump in my throat a

“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

“ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 Are you ready to answer that question? Why do you put your hope in Jesus? Why are you a Christian? The Bible tells us to be ready to share our answer with anyone who asks us. 1 Peter is addressed to the scattered church, which is… all of us. Not just those bles

“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

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

Many people don’t know this about me, but back in the seventies, I used to play lead guitar and provide vocals for Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band, as well as a few other rock groups like Lenard Skynard, Aerosmith, Styx and Jethro Tull. Later, I played with the likes of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson and Queen. People don’t know this because most of these collaborations took place in the privacy of my bedroom or car. For the record, I was great! Most of us don’t have a problem

“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

Tortillas are a way of life here in Guatemala. There are probably twice as many Tortilla shops than drugstores in the city. You could toil in the kitchen all day preparing a wondrous feast, but no one will start salivating until the tortillas are on the table. Cold tortillas won’t do. So sometimes, the tortillas get placed directly over an open fire to be reheated. If you have a stove, you put them directly on the burner. Whenever I see Yesenia doing this in our kitchen, I wo