New England news & perspectives
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Christmas: God with us
We are getting close to that time of year when our social media and photo apps will offer up our “Year in Review,” allowing us to see the highlights of one year all in a few minutes. I love being reminded of the good days, the moments of laughter, and of the Lord’s faithfulness stretching out over another year of my life.
Christ our comforter
Suffering and pain are all too familiar to many of us. Experiencing affliction is part and parcel of what it means to live in a fallen world. Incredibly, much of what we read by Paul in our New Testament was written under very challenging circumstances. The book of Philippians was written from prison, as was Colossians. This passage as well from 2 Corinthians indicates that Paul had faced significant hardships. He recalls in verse 8 “the affliction [he] experienced in Asia,” where he was “so utterly burdened beyond [his] strength that [he] despaired of life itself.”
Christians should “bother” each other more often
May I encourage us to consider removing a phrase from our Christian vernacular. After more than twenty-five years of walking with Jesus, it is a phrase I have uttered on more than one occasion and have been on the receiving end as well. Even when the phrase wasn’t uttered, the attitude behind it was often communicated. While the intent of this phrase is usually one of grace and compassion, the results many times are either mediocrity or hurt. Much like the vintage ads for morphine of the late 19th century, this phrase promises health but brings disease.
The problem of suffering
During what is hopefully the tail end of a worldwide pandemic, many churches have experienced great loss. This may be due to the death of loved ones, a decrease in attendance or some members’ deconstruction of faith. Even those who are still with us are hurting. Many pastors or church members are wrestling with what has been called The Problem of Suffering.
Give them good songs
I can’t help but chuckle as my small family sings to the Lord during family worship. We rarely sing in the right pitch, we fumble over lyrics, and our ability to keep the correct tune is inconsistent. We don’t play any instruments, which would help guide us or at least drown us out a bit. It’s truly a sound only the Lord and a mother could love. One might wonder, if our talents are so pitiful and possibly even painful to the ear, why sing to the Lord during family worship? Why not just read the Scriptures and pray?
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.