Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the […]
God Doesn’t Want Just Your Money; He Wants Your Life
A missionary has come to visit. They went to your home, your church, or your prayer group. They told stories. They spoke with passion about the work they are doing in distant lands. Their words stirred your spirit. You wept when you heard about a brother or sister in Christ’s […]
It’s Baffling Being Bilingual
I grew up with two languages, Khmer and English. My first word in Khmer was the word for “banana,” ចេក, and my first word in English was “cup.” I think of being bilingual as having two language trees growing in my heart. One tree is English. It is a strong, […]
Hymn #177: His Grace is Enough
Is your strength gone or what, that you’re afraid and aren’t serving God? (aren’t serving God) Is your strength gone or what, that you’re afraid and aren’t serving God? His favor is enough, is enough, enough for you now, Oh, yes, dear one! God’s grace is enough, is enough, enough […]
He Has Made Everything Beautiful in Its Time
What is a moment? A moment is the space between one breath and the next, the pause when sounds and silence are taken together. Listen. Time hangs suspended, dust in a sunbeam. The world is still; thoughts quiet. Then- gone. Look away from the screen. Pause. Have a moment. *** […]
Sea-Spell in Kep
The sea sounds— relentless rush of rain, full on a clear night. Sewn into the sable sky, high stars glint in their patterns. The moon hangs, suspended, a dark sphere in a bright cradle, a golden hammock slung on a void. Out of the sea a hundred white wings of […]
Book Review: Spirit Worlds, by Philip Coggan
I saw my first lion dance when I was maybe six years old. I heard the drumbeat and the gongs first and ran out to the street. It was hot and sunny, and the coconut trees threw deep frond-shaped shadows on the red dirt. I could see the man with […]
Adventures in Cambodia: Van Transport
I stood outside my one-room apartment. It was nearly 4 AM. I had padlocked my front door and gone outside the gate with my one suitcase and a plastic basket for my cat. Said cat was on my shoulder, because I had already discovered that he hated the basket and […]
Out in Dawn
In closed, warm rooms, made with hands doors guard borders, dividing space. Creak! heralds my egress into Out. Creation sprawls open, cool swirling. Damp gentles the air. Fingers of filtered blue creep from the east, but the moon does not know. Bathed in borrowed light she gleams brighter than the […]
Read Through Psalm 107
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever!Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,whom he has redeemed from troubleand gathered in from the lands,from the east and from the west,from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes,finding no […]