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no different?

by K. T. Sim on December 31st, 2012 | 6 responses
Conned out of a large sum of money by a business partner, who claimed to be deacon in a church, my friend’s anger and disenchantment ran deep. He said, “How can a Christian do this kind of thing? I trusted him. Now I know he’s no different from a non-Christian!” Christ’s followers should... read more »

after the honeymoon

by pohfangchia on December 30th, 2012 | 2 responses
The honeymoon is over. Life is settling back to routine—a new one. Now you have a partner to live with. It’s no longer just about your preferences and habits. You need to learn to tango with him or her in a new paradigm. That’s where we start stepping on each other’s toes. And that’s where... read more »

listening

by regina franklin on December 29th, 2012 | 10 responses
I have recently noticed that I am adept at a skill that should not be celebrated. I pretend to listen. Whether it’s a loss of focus because we’re planning what to say next in a heated debate or the random derailed train of thought amidst a casual conversation, I doubt that I’m the only one who... read more »

unhappy at work

by tom felten on December 28th, 2012 | 8 responses
I have a friend who had been unhappy at work. He told me that no matter how hard he tried, his boss was completely unreasonable. Ultimately, he was fired. An acquaintance who knows both my friend and his boss told me he feels that it was my friend’s issues that led to his dismissal. So what’s... read more »

a prophet and a roaring God

by winn collier on December 27th, 2012 | 6 responses
Amos is one of the most intriguing biblical characters, tucked away in the neglected corner of the Minor Prophets. I’ve struggled with the prophet partly because my son Seth once had a stuffed monkey named Amos. My main difficulty, however, has been that Amos is true to his calling as a... read more »

December 26, 2012

by Today's Conversation on December 26th, 2012 | 6 responses
What are a few of your spiritual goals for 2012? Why? ... read more »

you are owned

by mike wittmer on December 26th, 2012 | 5 responses
It’s devastating to be owned by another human. Slaves suffer unimaginable heartbreak and abuse because their lives are not their own. Another person tells them where they will live, what they will do, even whom they will marry. They have no say. Being owned is so harsh that even today, when we... read more »

a king born for all

by sheridan voysey on December 25th, 2012 | 7 responses
Scene one: A stable in Bethlehem, Judea. There, a group of shepherds kneel before a baby sleeping in a feeding trough (Luke 2:8-20). The society of the day despises these grimy, unclean shepherds, and they can’t believe they’re here. How could they have been given such a privilege? Scene two: A... read more »

close to the cradle

by jennifer benson schuldt on December 24th, 2012 | 4 responses
The angels were on the verge of a brawl. As characters in our church’s nativity scene, a multitude of small girls outfitted in white gowns and halos had assembled around the cradle. Unfortunately, some eager cherubs decided that they wanted a better look at the baby. Pushing and elbowing ensued.... read more »

good men

by Jeff Olson on December 23rd, 2012 | 3 responses
The opening line of the 1984 song “Holding Out for a Hero” asks, “Where have all the good men gone?” That’s a fair question in a world that has seen more than its share of passive or violent males. Fortunately, “good men” are not as rare as some think. Consider Joseph, the husband of... read more »
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