I’ve been impressed of late with what an astounding quality kindness is. It used to sound like one of those wimpy virtues that were all about being nice. For anyone who wanted to make their mark in the world, kindness was more or less optional. It didn’t have pride of place like liberty and justice for all. It surely didn’t rank with loving enemies and waging peace …
A single powerful story can affect generations of people that follow. Sometimes such a story creates a movement and a set of convictions. Analyzing the stories that are foundational to our faith can reinforce the values woven into our faith …
I rarely remember my dreams. I wake up and they dissolve quickly. But when I do remember one, it stays with me …
For years, Adrienne De Forrest, a member of Boulder (Colo.) Mennonite Church, had driven a 1991 Subaru station wagon that now had over 250,000 miles on the odometer. The car had been reliable and the engine was strong, but some peripherals were starting to go bad due to age and weathering. Aware that she might have to replace the car sometime, she researched dealers’ prices for used cars and put away enough money to cover the cost if it came to that …
The essence of a missional vision is to align with the purposes of God. But what does that mean? …
Some time ago a friend asked me, “Why have you and your son had long tenures in pastoral ministry but some of us have moved every couple of years? Some of us have left the ministry. What’s your secret?” …
The six of us sat on the wooden dock in the hot sun, waiting for a water taxi to take us north to meet some friends of our hosts. The taxi was due to arrive at 5 p.m., and it was now 5:10.
We chatted, and I wondered aloud if maybe they forgot. Wayne, one of our hosts, said, “They’ll come sometime” …
