amenities
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 reminded of the big difference between a fishing boat and a cruise liner.
In His... read more »
May 14, 2013
by Today's Conversation on May 14th, 2013 | 2 responses
How have you seen God’s love lived out well by someone recently?
... read more »
saving little ones
by sheridan voysey on March 18th, 2013 | 7 responses
“Jenny” grew up in a home where both parents engaged in extramarital affairs and were prone to violence. In this setting, Jenny soon became emotionally and physically neglected—and vulnerable to others.
An uncle took her to a park and sexually abused her. Jenny experienced a similar fate... read more »
toxic environment
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 water. The dolphin trainers who found Chelmers described him as “shaking all... read more »
Valentine’s Day 2013
by an odj community member on February 11th, 2013 | one response
Let’s remember that Valentine’s Day is not just a time for a man & woman to celebrate a special relationship. Once we have given ourselves to Christ, we have begun a love relationship that lasts our lifetime, one that we can celebrate every single day!
—art and copy submitted by Terry and... read more »
walk worthy of God
by K. T. Sim on February 9th, 2013 | no responses
“Congratulations for doing so well!” Friends and family recently showered me with kudos. But it was due to the fact that my daughter had done exceptionally well in her national examinations. As a father, I couldn’t have been prouder of my daughter’s achievements. Likewise, we do our... read more »
guard your heart
by sheridan voysey on February 4th, 2013 | 4 responses
Christianity is a religion of the heart. Once God has our heart, the rest of life flows. To God, the heart is central.
A cursory glance at the Bible shows this to be true. God doesn’t look at external appearances but at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He despises religious acts devoid of worship from... read more »
expecting fruit
by tom felten on January 27th, 2013 | 6 responses
My neighbor planted some apple tree seedlings. Several years later, the mature trees bore fruit. But there was a problem. The first bushel of apples my neighbor picked contained some unwanted guests . . . uh, pests. Worms were found, leading his wife to conclude that a few bad apples do indeed spoil... read more »
what God looks like
by winn collier on January 17th, 2013 | 6 responses
In March of 2012, Americans listened with regret and repulsion as we heard reports of an American soldier in Afghanistan who went on a killing spree in a rural Afghan village. This rogue soldier massacred 16 civilian Afghanis. This is an absolute horror. The aftermath compounds our grief because... read more »
the harvest
by an odj community member on December 17th, 2012 | 2 responses
As I reflect on the horrid event that occurred at the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut (US), I am truly saddened that there apparently was no one in this young man’s life that recognized and acted on the level of turmoil he was enduring. It also occurs to me that this level of despair is... read more »














