What Happens in a “Far Encounter”
I will soon release a book of short stories that I think you’ll love. Over the next ten weeks I’ll introduce the openings of each one. I’m curious to know what you think of them. “Far Encounter”—————————— A mud puddle can do so much. Sean McGregor sped his motorcycle down a narrow, rock-studded road through the Haitian countryside. Men stopped and stared, machetes hanging in their hands. Half-naked children lined up in front of mud huts and waved. Fruit-laden donkeys jittered at his engine’s roar and backed up, no matter what direction they faced. Endless bumps jarred Sean’s wrists…
Where is the Heart of God in Gaza?
Where is the Heart of God in Gaza? So many people being killed. So much suffering. If the Bible is true, God’s heart breaks for those civilians who are suffering. And it needs to be stopped. But there is so much more. God’s heart is also for Israel, his chosen people through whom the Messiah came, and around whom the end times is prophesied to play out. And who are constantly under threat or attack from those who surround them. Yet the group conveniently escaping most of the blame is the the group responsible for everything: Hamas. Israel’s main desire…
Your Year is Half Over
Your year of 2014 is half over. Yes, your year, no one else’s. Their year is half over too, but that’s their issue. Maybe you’re a carefree person who thinks that minutes and calendars are for people in bondage. That’s fine. But if you’re a person who sets annual goals or plans, beeeeeep! We’ve hitting the half-way mark on 2014. How are you doing? And are those goals and plans just earthly? I hope not. Can you think of ways they will help you live well in the face of eternal reality? Let me know. And God bless the rest…
The Hand behind the Hand in the Middle East
The Middle East is going insane. We constantly see news about Islamists going ballistic everywhere. Yet for centuries Christians and Muslims lived together in peace, or at least respectfully side-by-side. What’s happened? Can the identifiable historical reasons really account for the degree of insanity? Or is there more? I have a theory: Every year increasingly more Muslims come to faith in Isa al Masih (Arabic for “Jesus the Messiah”). Most don’t identify themselves as “Christians,” and they don’t need to. The Holy Spirit of God penetrates every border and every restriction to reveal to people through dreams and visions typically…
George Bush Sr. Knows How to Live
George Bush Sr. knows how to live before he dies. For his 90th birthday he jumped out of a helicopter, went skydiving. At 90. I like this guy. So many people try to live safe lives, or they live in fear of anything outside their comfort zone. And they never live well–whether in the face of eternal reality or of their own earthly mortality. Bush went skydiving on his 75th, 80th, and 85th birthdays as well. Whether he makes it to 95 to continue the pattern remains to be seen. But even if he doesn’t, he’s living. As opposed to…
