“I was one way, and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him,” said Mary of Magdala in the Chosen season one. Though Mary’s line is fictitious, she is actually using a simple evangelism tool. Today I learned about the “Fifteen-second testimony,” and I’d like to share this tool…

Life in a new country is different. Sometimes it feels really hard, and sometimes it’s just different. The little differences can add up to be overwhelming at times. Other times they make for fun observations. Differences like… -Drinking hot water instead of cold water. Filtered water is heated in the process here, so it’s only…

“When she realized that the apple tree was actually a wolf, the hen ran inside her house and slammed the door. She was safe!” Vinumi finishes with enthusiasm. The other children laugh and clap. “Well done, Vinumi!” Mr. Gapper exclaims. “Who wants to share a favorite part of the story?” Hands raise and kids clamor…

Oh Lord God, you are the Most High God. There is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath (1 Kings 8:23). You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). You are our strength and shield, we trust in you and find help…

The process of getting ready to live in Asia for four months stretched my faith in God and in his ability to provide. The final few weeks were especially challenging for me as I tried to finalize all the little details. From the very beginning of my fundraising process, I prayed that God would work…

I said goodbye to my coworkers this past week. I’ve worked with some of these people for two and a half years. It was a bittersweet day. On the one hand, I’m excited for the new opportunity before me. On the other hand, as I reflected on my two and a half years here, I…

Sometimes I get so annoyed and frustrated with the church. It is easy to look out from my Bible College nerdy-ness and see all the ways that the church is falling short of their mission, their purpose, their marching orders. It is far too easy to look at my church body and see all the…

John Piper said: “The horror of hell is in the infinite echo of God’s glory.” Hell isn’t something I think about all that often. In fact, it rarely crosses my mind. Hell is eternal punishment. Eternal, unending burning. Separation from God. The consequences for choosing to live life in a way that does not bring…

This post was originally written and published on a different source February 10, 2020. Leaving a piece of your heart halfway across the globe has interesting and long lasting side effects. Almost two years ago I went to Tanzania. I talk about it a lot on this blog, and I’m not sorry for that. It has…

What I love most about other cultures (outside of America) is the spirit of hospitality. I’ll admit, I haven’t (yet) encountered very many cultures outside of my own, but those that I have engaged with have always been very hospitable. I have a very clear memory of a time in Tanzania when we were out…