[First posted March 14, 2014] Maria Braun, a teenage girl in the Kirghiz Soviet Republic, was arrested in 1966 for teaching a foreign ideology to young children. She had organized classes for preschool and older children to teach about faith in Jesus Christ. Another lady was arrested with her and at their trial the judge … Continue reading The courage of Maria Braun
Faith and life
What is courage? Do I have it?
The root word of courage is cour, from the French word for heart, denoting the heart as the seat of feelings. The Oxford dictionary defines courage as: the ability to do what frightens one; strength in the face of pain or grief. The unknown in every new life situation brings an element of fear, such … Continue reading What is courage? Do I have it?
Let’s be Christians, not chameleons
[A slightly revised version of an article first posted March 31, 2019] Some members of the early church wanted Gentile converts to be chameleons. They thought that circumcising Gentile believers would make them appear to be converts to the Jewish religion, thus sparing Jewish believers from persecution by other Jews for associating with Gentiles. Such … Continue reading Let’s be Christians, not chameleons
Thinking outside the zeitgeist – 3
Surveys show that people are searching for truth - so churches offer them entertainment. Isn't that because money will get you a magnificent building with excellent acoustics, top notch musicians and rousing speakers, but money can't get you servant leaders with compassionate ears and caring hearts?
My duty towards God
My wife was reading a novel yesterday and read me a portion about a lady who would fall on her knees several times during the day to remind God of his duty towards her. That struck pretty close to home: is that what my prayers sound like? That prompted me to look up this item … Continue reading My duty towards God
Funerals I have attended
Image by Valerie from Pixabay Since many of our kinfolk are not Christian, the funerals that my wife and I have attended have varied widely in their approach to saying good-bye to the dear departed. There have been funerals where the one officiating, minister or layman left us with a very positive assurance that our relative was now … Continue reading Funerals I have attended
Jesus the stage manager
Chapter nine of the gospel of John describes how Jesus healed the eyes of a man who had been blind from his birth. There are a number of details in this account which are easier to understand if we see how Jesus took this occasion to set the stage for a trap for the Pharisees. … Continue reading Jesus the stage manager
Don’t be a tumbleweed Christian
What is wrong when a Christian feels ill at ease among the people with who he worships? Is he a seeker, longing for a place where he can feel at home, put down roots and begin to flourish spiritually? Or is he ashamed of the people of God, thinking their way of living and expressing … Continue reading Don’t be a tumbleweed Christian
A Question for Older Christians:
Are you leaving a spiritual heritage for your children and grandchildren and others who come after you? Image by -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay Grandparents can help children feel secure – help them know that they are loved even when they make mistakes. Children, young and old, love it when grandparents tell them stories. But what … Continue reading A Question for Older Christians:
What is wrong with the world?
2Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.2Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. … Continue reading What is wrong with the world?
