Where is Your Enemy?

I didn’t say who, but maybe that needs to be clarified first. I’m not talking about the “love-your-enemy-type” enemy. That’s a different discussion all together.   No, I’m talking about the enemy of your soul. The one who whispers “you aren’t enough” in your head. The one who entices you to “take one more bite” or “to say what you …

An Unforgettable Light

I was twenty-years-old and spending my first summer in Asia. The sub-tropical heat forced me indoors, so I retreated to my third floor room to spend solitary time before the Word of God and a singular, rotary fan. All summer, a certain long-distance relationship had remained forefront in my mind. He was tall, dark and extremely cute, with a sense …

Power!

  After a physically exhausting day with children or an emotionally exhausting day on the job, I often find myself craving power. I search the Scripture and pray that I, like Paul, will be “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might” (Colossians 1:11).   Yep. That would just fit the bill for my needs today. Lots of power …

Sex, Scandal, and the Simple Word “No”

Inappropriate. Vulgar. Suggestive.   No, this wasn’t a movie, a book, or a joke. It was a high school health test and I was required to take it.   The exasperation had been building for several weeks. My classmates and I knew the rumors about this teacher before walking into class the first day. Although the accusations hadn’t been proved …

Nothing in the House

  “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a flask of oil.”   My eyes fell upon these words as the three of us bowed quietly in prayer.   On the table before us were pages of prayer requests, many of which we would never cover. Friends and family all around us were necessitous of our intercession, yet I …

Ponderings on Halloween

It was our first Chinese New Year in Taiwan. Everything took us by surprise. The incense, the fireworks, the cleansing of homes, businesses, and cemeteries.   But, most interesting were the banners across every outer door. Calligraphed on strips of red paper, these rhythmic blessings were affixed in triplicate — one over the door frame, and one on each side.   …

Treasures in the Darkness

  As a former missionary to Mali, today’s faith stalwart has experienced many lessons regarding His strength working in her weakness. While in Africa, Joanna Parham‘s youngest son, Ryan received 3rd degree burns over 40 percent of his body. Because of their remote location, it was four days before they could reach Parkland hospital in Dallas. Ryan was in burn …