category: trials

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amenities

Posted by regina franklin on May 17th, 2013 | 4 responses

Amenities. Surprisingly, I heard someone use that word in describing a church they had chosen to attend. I understood that the individual was referring to the different ministries the church had to offer, but I was also... read more »

tell it to move!

Posted by an odj community member on April 11th, 2013 | 4 responses

Everywhere I look, there are people facing mountains. High, powerful mountains. Mountains that seem utterly impossible to move. These immovable mountains are hurting the hearts of many. These mountains come in the form of... read more »

carried

Posted by winn collier on April 10th, 2013 | 4 responses

When my boys were smaller and it was time for bed, they would often ask if they could “be a sack of potatoes.” I would pick them up by their legs, sling them over my shoulder and climb the stairs to their room. I’d... read more »

April 8, 2013

Posted by Today's Conversation on April 8th, 2013 | 14 responses

Although we serve a good God, sometimes bad things happen to us. How do you view the hard things in life? ... read more »

content with contention?

Posted by regina franklin on April 6th, 2013 | 5 responses

With its uncomfortable booths and tiled floors, the restaurant reflected the chill of the winter air. Having recently made the decision to take in foster children, my family sat waiting to meet a 7-year-old girl who needed a... read more »

true freedom

Posted by pohfangchia on March 30th, 2013 | 4 responses

Many countries annually exercise their freedom to literally change time. I experienced this timely change when I was in the US a few years ago. During my visit in the spring, I witnessed Daylight Savings Time—a national... read more »

exercised

Posted by regina franklin on March 28th, 2013 | 4 responses

On all fours with the grass pressing into my hands and knees, I was already backing out of my goal. I had recently enlisted the help of a friend to improve my muscle strength and endurance. On this particular night, we were... read more »

affected

Posted by tom felten on March 19th, 2013 | 8 responses

Rachel, the daughter of fellow ODJ author Jeff Olson, is a young woman I love as if she were my own. Recently, she completed an 8-month missions trip. During that time, I became concerned when she contracted malaria while... read more »

toxic environment

Posted by jennifer benson schuldt on March 12th, 2013 | 4 responses

Two dolphins—Shadow and Chelmers—died of a drug overdose at the Connyland Marine Park in Switzerland. Forensic experts suppose that partygoers at a nearby rave placed a heroinlike substance into the dolphins’ tank... read more »

wounded

Posted by regina franklin on March 10th, 2013 | no responses

My daughter consistently teaches me that perspective is everything when it comes to relationships. Watching her navigate the ins and outs of adolescence, I see a mirror for my own misunderstandings —what I hear is not... read more »