To conform or not to conform
All Things to All People. To conform or contextualise, that is the question.
Christian Living
Brueggemann on Hope
Just re-reading Walter Brueggemann’s classic book, The Prophetic Imagination. Here is a wonderful passage on hope: The prophet has only the means of word, spoken word and acted word, to contradict the presumed reality of his or her community. The prophet is to provide the wherewithal whereby hope becomes possible again to a community of kings …
How to make peace: Jeremiah 3 and 31.
Part of Jeremiah’s calling was to reach out to those living in the province of Ephraim, north of the dividing line between the southern kingdom of Judah (with its capital Jerusalem), and the northern kingdom of Israel (with its capital Samaria). The dispute between Ephraim (Joseph’s son) and Judah was an ancient one, going back …
God Never Makes a Mistake
Nabil Costa shares his personal journey to advocate for his son, Christopher, and reflects on how Lebanon has changed over the past decade to more inclusive.
4 Capabilities of Cultural Awareness
What capabilities mark out those growing in cultural awareness?
Stories from Pakistan – Part 2
As we listened to his stories, we felt as if we were listening to a modern day book of Acts, our faith was stirred and we were so encouraged.
Stories From Pakistan – Part 1
As we listened to his stories, we felt as if we were listening to a modern day book of Acts, our faith was stirred and we were so encouraged.
Why not us?
And then I begin to compare my life to the lives of the people who I admire and I start to think – Have I done enough? Have I prayed enough? Why would God ever use me? But these questions are all leading me to one person…
You Don’t Have to Read to Know Scripture
Regularly engaging with the Bible helps people to come to faith and to grow in maturity as believers. Reading the Bible individually is just one way…
The Shhhhh of God
Be thankful. Lift your eyes to Jesus, know that He’s very close and listen. Rest, Quiet, Shhhh.
Ready to die for Jesus
He fears for her life as if any of his 15-20 members of his family catch on that she is a believer they will kill her and maybe him also. They have two young kids.
Not in Kansas Anymore!
I work in an education centre for Syrian refugees who cannot access education in a traditional school. As I walked in to work on the first day of this school year when we would actually have children in the centre (in mid-May due to Covid restrictions), I went over things that were likely to happen …
Shame Free (Part Two)
Everything was different about this church; the heat, the sounds, and the smells. Natalie was driven along the streets that belonged to the pimps of the district in India. She was visiting a project in the middle of the brothel district, which the church had set up to provide a safe place for children of …
Shame Free (Part One)
Shame plays an integral role in Middle Eastern culture. So much so, that since living here, it has been a daily (and sometimes hourly) battle to stand in my identity as a daughter of God: free from shame, forgiven and cleansed. In Isaiah 61, we receive a mandate for loving and serving those in poverty …
Ramadan: For Women
Ramadan has come back round with its pretty flags and bizarre working hours. It is also a time to learn, every year I learn more about my Muslim friends and what they believe. Yesterday, a Muslim friend posted a list of activities that women who have their period during Ramadan should do in order …
What does it feel like attending a white majority church?
It was a number of months ago that a suggestion was made that we should create a video where ethnic minorities share their experiences of joining a predominantly white church. The video is powerful, giving insights of how we can help minorities feel at home within our churches, helping us become more multi-cultural. Please feel …
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To Woke or Not to Woke?
‘To woke or not to woke? that is the question’ by Ian Geary “Having a form of godliness but denying its power….” 2 Timothy 3v5. “In a world bereft of the power of revealed religion, we have to face up to the fact that no-one knows how to live.” What is the good life? What …
Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 3: Singles Support and Sending
In Parts 1&2, Hayat shared some of her experiences as a single female living in an Arabic speaking part of the world, then shared some wisdom from Romans 12 on finding our place in belonging. In this final part, Hayat shares some helpful tips and insights for those involved in supporting and sending singles overseas. …
Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 2: Belonging to each other
One family here have taken me in and consider me to be one of theirs. I’m expected to celebrate Eids with them, to come over for iftar (the daily breaking of fast meal during Ramadan, the month of fasting), to visit on at least a weekly basis (ideally from dawn to dusk). It’s a joy …
Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 1: Being Single in the Arabic Speaking World
One of my favourite things about the Arabic speaking world is the high value placed on hospitality and the extended family. Living in this part of the world, it is rare that I would be asked questions typical to a western culture upon introducing myself to someone. “What’s your name?” “What do you do?” are …
Dealing with loss in cross-cultural service (resource)
While loss is an unavoidable part of life this side of eternity, many have noted that cross-cultural living comes with more loss than usual. Moving to a new culture, whether by choice or necessity, involves leaving things behind – parts of your identity, people and places you love, perhaps the ability to speak in full …
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Who May We Be Overlooking?
Who May We Be Overlooking? The hot, African sun was beating on my head as I walked through a camp for internally displaced people in Soroti, Uganda. Line upon line of closely packed thatched huts provided temporary shelter for those displaced by the cruel ravages of the Lord’s Resistance Army who were destroying villages …
Location, Location, Location
We moved apartments at the beginning of December, partly because (due to the economic situation here) our rent had got very expensive, but also because we’d found that local friends no longer visited us in our old apartment because it was too far away. This was something we wanted to change. By God’s grace, we …
15 Things I Want to Tell My Third Culture Kids
Rachel Pieh Jones Shares 15 things she would like to tell her third culture kids. To reassure where life has been hard and to celebrate what has been amazing. Read more here https://rachelpiehjones.com/2013/03/1-things-i-want-to-tell-my-third-culture-kids/