Serving Christ in México
I was afraid the small, rickety chair would collapse at any moment. I was pretty sure it was at least as old as I was and it wobbled considerably as I gestured about and shifted my weight back and forth. But, thankfully, and surprisingly, the chair did its job and I was able to finish my conversation without ending up on the floor in a heap.
Continue reading “I Guess I Need To Read My Bible”
What do you do when what you believe to be true is at odds with what you are experiencing?
At a young age David became the God-appointed future king of Israel. His surprise defeat of Goliath the giant only further confirmed that the prophetic words of old Samuel would soon come true – David would sit on Israel’s throne.
Continue reading “How To Get Out Of A Cave”
The Church of Christ is not a bricks-and-mortar building, but rather a spiritual temple built of living stones. Even so, it is a blessing for the church to have a physical building in which to meet for worship and fellowship. Besides offering protection from the elements, a church building also provides a physical presence in the community. There is at least one house church in our neighbourhood, and not very many people know it exists because it looks like any other house – and there is no sign.
Continue reading “The Salón”
The streets are named things like “Cross of Love”, “Christ the King”, “Hope Corner”, and “Joy Corner”. If you walked those same streets you´d see the irony of their names. More apt names might be “Garbage Hill” and “Crystal Corner”. So when a family who lived there asked us to do an evangelistic event, we readily agreed.
Continue reading “Cross Hills”
Crepes for breakfast and then we are out the door shortly after 11:00 am. On the way to church at Pan de Vida we pick up Laura who lives in Santa Barbara and also attends at Pan de Vida. Return home at 2:00 pm and at 3:00 Armando and Laura, and their two daughters, come over for lunch. After that, we head over to the outreach centre for our 6:00 service. Sermon on Ephesians 2:19-22 – being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets and Christ the cornerstone.
Continue reading “A Week in the Life – VBS Edition”
Time and again the Scriptures call us to remember, to call to mind what God has done in the past. Just yesterday we crossed over the five-year threshold of our time here in Mexico, and I thought it would be good to take time to remember what God has done in those five years – good for ourselves and, I pray, good for you dear reader.
Continue reading “Five Years and A Day”
As I stood in the doorway, ready to leave, my wife asked me: “Are you bringing Jonatan to the rehab place today?” “That’s the plan,” I replied “but we’ll see what happens.”
My wife smiled a knowing grin.
Continue reading “A Friday in March”
One of the functions of the Bible is to provide us with a trustworthy framework for life. Like a map we consult when we are lost in a maze of crisscrossing streets, the Bible orients us in the world so we can tell which way is which. Not only does the Bible keep us on the right road, but it ensures that we are not surprised or taken off guard by the sudden turns or dead ends.
Continue reading “The Truth For a Lie “
When it comes to theology, we tend to take a doctrine and strip it down to its basic form, leaving out all the intricacies and complicating details. We zero in on a particular verse or repeated theme in Scripture and then we say “That’s what it is all about.” We do this so that we can fit the doctrine neatly in our minds, keep it there, and pass it on to others.
Continue reading “Multidimensional Gospel”
Peter’s passion for the gospel is evident as he begins his letter and explains the power and love we possess in Jesus Christ to live transformed lives. He uses strong, bold language (e.g. “make every effort” or “be all the more eager”) and emphasizes how he wants his readers to remember all that he is teaching them. But passion and sincerity do not equal the truth, and Peter knows that. Later in his letter he will speak about false teachers who are bold in their preaching and make grand promises, but who are empty and vile. They have passion, but for all the wrong reasons. So, before Peter continues, he gives reasons why his passionate words are also true. Consider what he says in verse 16:
Continue reading “Eyewitnesses of His Majesty”
The Rabbi's Burrito 