While visiting Southern California to speak on the history of the English Bible several years ago, I found myself seated next to a total stranger in the hotel restaurant. We exchanged pleasantries, including what had brought each of us to town on that particular weekend. When he learned of my speaking topic, he became curious. […]
Week 33 Mission | Who Is Jesus?
What do you believe about Jesus? That is the most important question you’ll ever have to answer. Remember what Jesus told Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). What do you believe about […]
Week 32 Mission | Waking Up to Our Global Calling
I enjoy spending time in our local public library. Something about the stacks of books and dozens of people reading paperbacks, newspapers, and magazines makes my heart beat a little faster. During my last visit I spotted something I had not seen before. Nestled in the middle of the soft chairs in the children’s section […]
Week 31 Mission | Won by One
Everyday Zach stopped by the same coffee shop for a break and a double latte. It wasn’t long before the baristas knew him by name, and even the other customers became familiar. One day as he was going over his reports, he noticed the guy at the next table reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. As […]
Week 30 Mission | Full Circle
Disciple-making starts with prayer! I sat in front of the funeral chapel three minutes before addressing a packed house. Every seat was filled and people were standing around the room. It was a funeral for a 23-year-old mother of two small children. I had been asked by her grandparents to conduct the funeral and knew […]