No matter who she talks to, no matter how many books and blogs she reads, nothing will eliminate the shock and awe that comes with being a new mom. It’s a joyful, tumultuous season that the norms of pre-parenthood rarely survive. I work from home, which allows… Read More

When you focus only on the eschatological meaning of what Jesus says in Matthew 24, you miss the punch line. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (verse 35 GNT). That was the message of Michael Perreau, Director General of United Bible Societies, addressing… Read More

We know better, but we usually live as if we were invulnerable. When illnesses, relationship failures, accidents, bad leadership, and natural disasters break through that illusion, we feel them not just as unwelcome but as unfair—and often unsettling. Times of emotional crisis thus often mark starts or stops… Read More

At age 17 my friend Marian decided to stop believing in God. There had been a horrific school bus accident in her town. Kids were killed. She didn’t want a God who would let that happen. And she still feels that way fifty years later. You’ve heard stories… Read More

Cynics might suppose that Valentine’s Day was created by a cabal of greeting card publishers, florists and chocolatiers. But, no, there really was a Saint Valentine who was martyred for his Christian faith on one February 14 in the third century. He was known for officiating at Christian weddings—hence… Read More

It felt like a pilgrimage. On Saturday afternoon I left my apartment and immediately joined people from all over the world making their way through the city. Streets were barricaded, soldiers in camouflage stood guard on corners, and volunteers directed crowds. I followed the path set out for me—down cobblestoned… Read More

Theory: The most Bible-engaged people in your church are those who have suffered the most. Have you found this true? If so, why is it true? Perhaps we are seeing the reality of the first Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3a NIV)—or, as the CEV translation puts… Read More

“Isa” was arrested in 2010 as a suspected member of a terrorist group that bombed the World Cup in Kampala, Uganda, killing at least 74 people. Yet this teenager’s story began long before. He was abducted from his madrasa by an Al Shabaab operative when he was only eight… Read More

“How much longer will you forget me, Lord? Forever?” The speaker’s voice was full of emotion, demanding attention. “How much longer will you hide yourself from me?” A woman walked across the stage holding a sign that read, “human trafficking.” Her mouth was taped shut, hands tied… Read More