Depending on Hope
By Jenifer Jones -- September first was my one-year anniversary working with TMS Global. My job is to interview cross-cultural witnesses (CCWs, or missionaries) and write their stories. You’d think this job has the potential to be depressing. After all, the world kind...
Smelling Heaven
By B.J. Funk -- In the past few years, I have had a sweet, calming, and beautiful surprise happening in my life. I have smelled heaven. I first recognized this indescribable occurrence when I sat in the lounge chair in my living room. Suddenly, from out of nowhere...
Wrapped in Such an Ordinary Package
By B.J. Funk- God came to earth wrapped in an ordinary package. His birthing room had a dirt floor, his crib contained remnants of dried animal feed, and instead of “Lullaby” being played over a hospital loud speaker at the birth of a child, there was a mixed chorus...
Giving Thanks
By Thomas Lambrecht- As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends, we are a nation that has experienced much suffering and tragedy within the last few months. Many families will gather around a makeshift table in a home that is being rebuilt...
Merely Lewis
By Philip Tallon On November 22, 1963, the world’s foremost Christian apologist died of kidney failure. Despite his literary fame, in the following week’s newspapers, his death was overshadowed by the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and received little notice. The...
Two Roads Diverged
By Tom Lambrecht- With apologies to Robert Frost, one of my favorite poets, he describes the current situation in The United Methodist Church in his poem, The Road Not Taken: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." Two roads are diverging within United Methodism today,...
Remembering to pray
By Michael Yaconelli Children tell God what they are genuinely thinking. They are honest, simple, and direct. They understand that God is listening, and they understand that prayers are very important. Somehow when we become adults, we forget how important praying is....
Let’s Make a Deal, #UMC Style
Dr. David Watson, academic dean at United Theological Seminary, has provided thorough analysis of the interim report sent to the Council of Bishops from the Commission on the Way Forward. He offers an assessment of each of the three plans given to the bishops for...
