New England news & perspectives
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Tithing = celebration?
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (1 Cor. 9:7)
How many of you reading that verse winced just a little … or maybe a lot? It’s those last two words, isn’t it? “Cheerful giver.” They almost seem to expect too much commitment to the process. Trust me, I am not throwing any stones here – there have been many times over the years that I played with this phrase like the lawyer in Luke 10 who toyed with the idea of just who is a neighbor? You know, how cheerful does cheerful need to be, really?
Six lessons from the Shunammite woman
One of my favorite Old Testament stories is about a woman without a name. Interestingly, we have more biographical information about her than any other woman in Scripture. We only know her, though, by the name of the town where she lived: Shunem. You may remember the Shunammite woman as the one who offered a room in her home to the prophet Elisha. Her story, found in 2 Kings 4 and 8, is a beautiful example of the Christ-like character qualities we can all cultivate.
Welcoming the critics
My wife, Natalie, was about to criticize me. She prepared me for it. She assured me it wasn’t personal. She even confessed that she might not be right in what she was about to share. And then she said, “From my perspective, I think you…”
I was busted. She was right – and she loved me enough to say something.
Walking with wisdom toward outsiders
Last January, just after a Sunday morning worship service, I stopped by Trader Joe’s to buy a special dessert for a gathering of college students we planned to take on an international mission trip during the summer. It was a signature dessert from the very country we’d be traveling to, and I was excited to serve them something unique to this Middle Eastern culture. The friendly cashier commented on the new dessert they had just started carrying, asked me how my day was going and what my plans were for the afternoon. It was a wide-open door for conversation, but this is how I replied: “Oh, just buying a little food for some friends who are coming over to hang out later.”
Timeless truths for Christians in a divided world
Last week I listened and watched in distress and disgust as a crowd of “protestors” overwhelmed security measures and ransacked the Capitol building. The images reminded me of the unstable governmental situations that prevail in too many African nations and the dysfunction and hardship that inevitably flows from that. It is not a place where anyone in their right mind would want to go. I pray that the church will play a vibrant role in leading our country back from the brink of irreconcilable division. If we are to be used of God in this way, these events need to remind us of some great truths that we must remember and incarnate.
From challenge to triumph
As a mom of school-aged children, I was struggling to manage all of my responsibilities. Stress, feelings of being overwhelmed and insecurity were my unwelcome companions. I turned to God for help, and He heard my cry. He answered me in a way that I did not expect – He used one of my son’s diagnoses to bring healing and hope in my life.
Much more than a meal: Serving and connecting during a pandemic
During this unprecedented and seemingly never-ending season that is COVID, fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ has taken on a new form. Togetherness during Sunday morning services is impacted by elders making very complicated decisions. Hospitality looks different and is potentially non-existent given your context, capabilities and convictions. For some, hugs and handshakes have given way to waves and greetings from six feet away. Meals around the table occur more frequently through a computer screen for some or not at all for many. May I encourage you to consider bringing someone a meal?
Three books to hack your 2021
“Auld Lang Syne” swells in the background as you sweep the last bits of Christmas into storage, making way for countdowns and confetti. It’s time to break out your fancy glasses and talk about the dreams you plan to turn into goals, pandemic or no pandemic.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a handful of resources tailored to multiply every ounce of energy you put into meeting those goals? A way to get the biggest bang for your buck?
Understanding the enemies of the church
Historically, there have been two great enemies of the church: persecution and heretical teaching. Some might have guessed that one of those two enemies might be the devil. Certainly, the devil is an enemy of the church and desires nothing more than its destruction. The New Testament does not avoid his present reality (Eph 1:19-21, 6:11; 2Tim 2:26). However, when you read the New Testament, the epistles have much more to say concerning the threats of false doctrine and persecution.
When everything falls apart
In 2018 my world imploded spectacularly. It was a series of events that would have made Jerry Springer proud. I’m sure it made the devil cheer. And there was absolutely no hiding it or containing it.
Don’t get me wrong – I had been through the wringer numerous times before. But for a former missionary with a Type A personality, these circumstances were almost more than I could bear. And yet, after a little bit of time and space, I can see how times of incredible suffering lead to God-sized opportunities.
Learning to practice gratitude
The year 2006 began like any other year – slow and steady. But by March, everything began to spiral out of control. My mother unexpectedly passed away while on vacation, my daughter began to have major issues at school, and I found myself the primary care-giver to an aging parent. Everything was overwhelming me, and I just couldn’t seem to get out of a very real funk.
Reflections on the election: Trust Jesus, not politicians
Tomorrow we’ll finally be heading off to the polls to elect the 45th President of the United States. Normally, this would be an enjoyable exercise in democracy for many of us as American citizens. Unlike most of the world, we actually get to choose our leaders. Even so, many Americans (including many Christians) are feeling more stress than joy this time around. Why? Because we have not one, but two flawed candidates of questionable character. Many of us are left wondering: “Are these two really the best we can do?”
The power of a story
Narratives can be very powerful. Good stories can give you great joy, produce awe and fear, or make you feel a sense of heroism. What’s more, they can help you become more courageous, spark great ideas and produce ambition. Good stories can also help teach Truth.
Seven lessons I've learned while ministering in a pandemic
COVID is an accelerant speeding change along. Online education, online platforms and multi-mode communication already existed, but now they are present everywhere. In addition, the pandemic has amplified the stresses that we faced daily and exposed fissures in our homes, relationships and ministries.
Delighting in Christ
Communion with Christ is the sweetest and most valuable treasure of the Christian. It is intimate fellowship with the One who created him and saved him from his sins. It is the abiding in Christ, who is the vine, so that in Him we may bear fruit and so that our desires, affections, will, mind and heart are conformed to Christ, who is the image of God.
Everybody needs somebody sometime
Back in the 90s, Western Union ran a hilarious ad to the tune “Everybody Needs Somebody Sometime.” In the commercial a sushi chef chopping up a cucumber also chops up a man’s credit card. The man calls a friend to send him money via Western Union. Though this commercial hits a comedic tone, the song is a very powerful statement of an important truth. It applies not just when you have lost your credit card but also throughout life.
Sacrificial leadership gives a glimpse of Christ’s character
How much Netflix have you watched during COVID-19? Or Prime Video, Hulu, or Disney Plus? Be honest. I’m not telling you how much I’ve watched because I don’t want to cause you to stumble into judging me! But I will say that the best thing I’ve watched during this time of lockdown and social distancing, hands down, has been The English Game on Netflix. I’ve never been a big fan of soccer or Downton Abbey, and this show is basically a mash-up of those two, but for some reason, it drew me in like a neon light beckoning a moth.
Hold everyone in forgiveness
Can you forgive someone who hasn’t asked for forgiveness? There is a difficult tension in this question. On one hand, we must acknowledge that when someone admits guilt and the debt is graciously released, there is a beauty in that transaction. On the other hand, perhaps some of us have offered forgiveness to an individual or to a group of people who have not apologized, and their lack of accountability has felt a bit unsatisfying.
Discipleship training wheels
I taught my boys how to ride bikes recently, and I was pretty pumped about it. I was beaming. Natalie was bragging on them. (I was slightly jealous I didn’t hear more bragging on me.)