It is difficult to comprehend the use of torture against captured enemies in an effort to secure classified information. Despite such atrocities, I maintain my faith and occasionally see glimpses of healing, propitiation, and forgiveness. During my divinely timed exchange with a true American military hero—Congressman Sam Johnson—God gave me just one such glimpse.
Read MoreWe will never forget the first time we listened to J.D. Greear preach at Summit RDU in North Carolina.
Read MoreChapter 1 revealed experiences in which I very tangibly felt God’s presence and influence. These were faith-stirring experiences that will be etched in my memory forever, serving as a constant reminder of when and how my faith was originally established and later fortified.
Read MoreThessalonica was a large, thriving port city and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. It was the center of wealth and influence, and as such experienced much corruption and immorality. In today’s world, it might be called “sin city.”
Read MoreIt never ceases to amaze me that little more than 20 years after the death and resurrection of Christ, the apostle Paul was providing advice (in his letters) to congregations and church leaders on how to live a Christian life and how to serve as pastors and lay leaders. His advice still speaks to us nearly 2000 years later. With that in mind it becomes very clear why Jesus so dramatically touched and transformed Paul in the Damascus Road encounter. He knew what Paul’s role would be in building His Church.
Read MoreIn his absence from the Thessalonians, Paul sends Timothy to Thessalonica and later receives a very encouraging report of the faith and perseverance of those he left to build the church. In chapter 3, he expresses his joy and gratitude for their faith and love, but he does much more.
Read MoreDespite the environment in Thessalonica before Paul and Timothy arrived, the evidence based on Paul’s letters is that the people of the church at Thessalonica were gloriously transformed. For them the Hellenistic creeds were no longer applicable. Increasingly the people were able to act in faith, trusting not only God but also each other. They developed the capacity to care for one another, and their earlier tendency toward self-interest, materialism and natural physical drives and passions were replaced by new values and new desires.
Read MoreMany of us are curious and confused by eschatology (i.e., the Second Coming, the last judgment or the end times). In that regard, we are not unlike the first-century Christians of Thessalonica, and we should probably take heed of Paul’s words and advice in chapter 5.
Read MoreMy sister and I lost our beloved, adorable, joyful Mother. She was everything to each of us – our best friend, confidant, adviser, and, of course, our Mommy. You could talk to her about anything and everything – from business and politics, to the stock market, to boyfriends when we were younger and marriage when we were older, to academics, to life and love, to just everything.
Read MoreSingapore is a country very much like the United States, with every known religion and belief you can think of; yet I was born into a Buddhist (Taoist) family. I grew up going to temples, worshipping idols, burning paper incense, offering food and praying to idols as gods.
Read MorePeople often say, “All things in time.” However, perhaps it’s more accurate to say, “All things according to HIS timing.”
I was born in 1970s Korea—a country that, was closer to its rural agricultural roots than to the glistening technological hub it is known as today. My birth mother was a young, single woman at a time when pregnancy out of wedlock was not allowed. In fact, such a pregnancy risked shaming not only the woman herself but her entire family.
Read MoreIn the spring of 2011 I was diagnosed with cancer which was first believed to be lung cancer. Fortunately it was later determined to be lymphoma. This certainly was a more hopeful diagnosis although it was Stage 4 because it had metastasized and spread to other parts of my body. Undaunted the wonderful staff at UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center began the prescribed chemotherapy treatments. Although I was hopeful grave doubts consumed me. I prayed like never before and asked God to heal me. At the same time my prayer was also surrendering my will to God believing that whatever the outcome, it was His Will not mine and I trusted God completely.
Read MoreThis is one of my all-time favorite stories. God is so awesome and He hears our prayers.
First, a little background… When I’m REALLY upset or depressed, I go through a fast food drive-through, get a chocolate shake and drive over to the cemetery, any cemetery, they’re all the same. (A little trick taught to me by my mom).
Read MoreMy name is Gary and I’m a recovering drug addict. My addiction to drugs started at age twelve in 1972 and my battle with drugs still rages inside me today.
My story will consist of 3 parts. First will be the introduction.
Read More
