Short Term Missions - Part 3
Last week‘s post talked about the value of relationships that are built through short-term mission trips. As I’m wrapping up my journey, the value of relationships has been reinforced in my current experience, and I would like to expand on it by highlighting several relationships that are affected by such an experience.
Short Term Missions - Part 2
My ideas about short-term mission trips were developed further when I went to Uganda in 2000. I did a 13-week internship with Tim and Colleen Stevenson as one of the requirements for my Bachelor of Theology degree from Gardner College.
Short Term Missions - Part 1
I have been fortunate to know and call friends, several career overseas missionaries. These are individuals and couples who felt the call of God to ministry in cross-cultural contexts in countries where they did not spend their childhood.
Spiritual Conversations
Sometimes it can feel intimidating for Christians to think about doing "Evangelism." The very word may bring a flood of varied images to one's mind, with many not being positive. But what if it didn't have to be like that?
Believers or Disciples
If a “believer” is only someone who gives mental assent to the existence of Jesus, then there’s a difference between “believers” and disciples of Jesus.
However, if we accept the biblical understanding of “believer” as “someone who puts their trust/faith in” Jesus, then there’s not such a contrast. Becoming a Believer is more like the first step on the path of discipleship.
Back to Basics
When I have the privilege of leading someone to a relationship with Jesus, it is so exciting! As I share with them, it also reminds me of some of the basic truths about being Jesus' follower that I can forget in my day-to-day life.
What Grace…
A friend in the Air Force once told me that their unofficial slogan was “Work Smarter, Not Harder.” Many of us have heard this pithy advice at some point and been delighted by the discovery of an easier way to do things that accomplishes the same results.
The Christmas Spirit…
The UPcycle (used) Toy Drive was a fantastic success this year. We had great engagement with donations from our Wetaskiwin community and in addition to a great turnout from our congregation, we had some new volunteers from beyond our church family who came to help because they loved the idea of the project.
More than political…
Some words create division and cause confusion easily.
Here’s two: liberal & conservative.
Rarely do two people mean the same thing when they use these words. …
Watch out for the Umpires!
That’s the gist of what we talked about on Sunday as we explored Colossians 2:16-23. In both verses 16 and 18 we find the warnings, “do not let anyone judge you… and do not let anyone…disqualify you.” The congregation in Colossae had some people who had appointed themselves arbiters of Christian faith and practice.
What is God’s Will for me?
Does God have a particular course of action in mind for me or do I cooperate with God to create possibilities?
What is Trunk n’ Treat
This is the 'why' behind one of the biggest events we put on each year...
Pause… it’s a power move!
It’s that time of the year where the return from summer vacation leads to an onslaught of activity. School begins, along with sports, lessons, and host of other options to fill our time. As I begin to look at the variety of dates and add them to the calendar it can feel overwhelming. I need to pause and remind myself of a few things.
Home is where you’re not…
People often say “home is where the heart is.”
It’s also true that home is where you are not.
Feeling at Home
Sometimes a trip "home" can bring up some emotions that need to be sorted through, but if we do the work, lessons can be gleaned.
Hurts So Good…
Sometimes our growth requires some pain, good pain. Things that help us realize the changes we need to make or circumstances we need to accept …
Learning as we go.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray… and we can do the same.
