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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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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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. …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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