How to Take a Cold Shower: A Primer for Spoiled Americans
Before the trip passes by, I felt compelled to write what I hope will be an instructive guide for American tourists traveling to Brazil. First, you have to understand that Brazil is hot. Yes, I know, Arizona is hot. Florida is unbearable. And the record for hottest temperature on earth was in Death Valley, CA. Blah, blah, blah. Brazil is a different kind of hot. To illustrate this, I’ve included this photo of my deodorant stick. … Read entire article »
Brazil Day Twelve: My New Vocabulary Word
We’ve been plugging away on the phones for two weeks now. But this evening, I was in for a real treat. The leader of the local organization, Almir, told me through an interpreter that we were going to have a “churrasco” to help celebrate my time in Brazil. Here is a big hint if you ever travel to Brazil. If someone ever invites you to a churrasco, raise your hand and say, “Yes.” Somewhere around 7 … Read entire article »
The Ride of My Life: Or Why My Son is Now Taller Than I Am
Today I had what can only be called “The Ride of My Life.” It started out with us leaving Paraquequara to head into town to begin the work on the phone system. We took the boat to the MAF site and then walked through the hangar to Phil’s motorcycle. While not painted on the chassis itself, I was soon to learn that this bike’s name is “Instrumento de Adrenalina.” The bike itself looked innocent enough (see photo). … Read entire article »
What You Need to Know About Traveling in Madagascar
In September 2014, I traveled with a few other people to Madagascar. The group I was with wants to do some relief and development work there. My main job was to do photography and video to document what we learned. But they were having a difficult time finding solid information about the basic information travelers would require. This first trip was intended to serve as an exploratory and information gathering trip. … Read entire article »
Who’s the Winner? Who’s the Loser?
One night in May, my son’s baseball team was playing another team. We had friends over to watch the game. It was a pretty close game. The parents on both sides were cheering their respective teams. There were plenty of close plays and (being Little League) enough errors to wrench the gut of any coach. At the end of the game, however, the score was higher for my son’s team than for our opponents. “Hoorah! We won!” Our company for the evening came back to our home for a visit. In discussing the game, my friend told me that while getting into his car, he happened to see one of the boys from the other team with his father. The father from the other team was yelling and hollering at his … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Inspirational
Children and Scripture
Today, I was reading Psalm 116 to some of my children. As is often my custom, I would read a verse and then ask a question to make sure they were listening. I got to the verse about, “You have delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” I asked my daughter, “What has God delivered our soul from?” “Death.” I asked my son what God delivered our eyes from, and he had trouble remembering that part. While one child was “boo-hooing,” as a hint I asked my younger daughter, and she said, “Tears.” Then I asked my son, “What did God deliver our feet from?” He said “Falling.” About that time my younger daughter chimed in with “Stinking!” QUESTION: Has God delivered your feet from … Read entire article »
What Does It Mean to Trust God?
Q. I’ve been told that I have to do is believe and trust God right. Someone finally got it through to me that I’ve just got to do it, to ignore everything else within me that goes against believing and trusting Him. So, I finally got it and am ready to start again. But now someone else has told me it doesn’t work that way. Can you help clear things up for me a little please? A. I like to think in terms of relationship. Your walk with God is pretty much like any other relationship you can imagine: you exist as a person, and God exists as a “person.” In any relationship, one person will have questions, requests, desires or communication which he wishes to share. He has to be … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Questions and Answers
How to Overcome Fear
How can I overcome fear in my life? This is a common question. The past few months, I’ve had opportunity to correspond on this topic. Here are some thoughts on the subject which I believe will prove helpful to you if you are dealing with fear. The dark. Strangers. Financial failure. Disease. Cancer. Accidents. Hunger. Death. These are all part of the many faces of the same enemy: fear. Fear is a powerful weapon which can be used to paralyze an enemy. Snakes use it to seemingly charm their victims into a frozen state in which they cannot seem to flee the advance of certain death. A lion’s roar is meant to do the same. If you are struggling with fear, you don’t need a lot of explanation as to what it can do … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Questions and Answers
God Gives Us Opportunity
Would you rather have cash in hand or an opportunity? Would you rather have a sure job or an opportunity? Would you rather have a paint by number or a blank canvas? How we answer these questions every day of our lives not only shows what we understand about God, but it also determines much of the course of our future. Listen to this Podcast on what God thinks about opportunity. [display_podcast] … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bible Studies, Featured, Podcast
Hidden Sin (Joshua 7)
Joshua 7 talks about the sad life of Achan, a man who tried to hide his sin from God. For those who are struggling with confession, guilt and overcoming the bondage of sin, this sermon is a must-hear. [display_podcast] You may also view the notes on this study by clicking on this link. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bible Studies, Featured, Podcast
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