Bible Study About Children Part I: Hosea–A Biblical Book for Child Care Workers! Hosea is a seldom-read, fourteen-chapter Minor Prophet that remains a remarkably relevant book. Those who work with hurting children will find the painful images and harsh descriptions all too familiar. Contemporary foster parents, today’s case workers, and those who serve the church’s […]
We met at a local restaurant. Barely 16, she displayed all the classic signs of anxiety-tapping her cup, pushing back her hair, stealing quick glances at her father. Unmarried. Pregnant. Scared. I was glad they had at least agreed to talk. Her mother argued for teenage marriage. Acceptable. Quick. Proper. Her father pushed abortion. Fast. […]
THE POWER OF ONE Harold & Sally Shank Ruth and Mike were different. Ruth was a grandmother; Mike a student. Ruth was the daughter of a German woman who immigrated to Milwaukee; Mike grew up in the same southern town where his great-grandfather lived. Ruth clung to her family; Mike moved away from his. Most […]
As we try to talk to people here on earth, God sits back and smiles at our feeble efforts to communicate. For God has worked out a communication system far superior to any that we ever assembled.We try to use a satellite to mediate our messages from one continent to another, but God long ago […]
“There”s one over there, that green one.” I looked across the snow-covered Milwaukee street at a late model sedan driven by a pleasant looking man in a business suit.”That”s an unmarked police car,” my friend continued. “I know every one in the city. You can tell by their license plate numbers. In the drug business […]
I remember the room. I can recall where I sat. The excitement of hearing the stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for the first time has not faded. I can still taste the sugar cookies and cherry Kool-Aid we had at break. Others may have long forgotten Mildred Stutzman’s VBS class that summer, but I […]
Dear God, There is a difference between where I am and where I want to be. I think I have depth, but I’m really quite shallow. I try to be holy, but I’m mostly profane. I want to be passionate, but I’m mostly lifeless. I think I depend on you, but I usually depend on […]
Reasons Churches and Christians Should Be Involved in Child Care Caring for Vulnerable Families Hosts of Christians and dozens of agencies associated with Churches of Christ focus on helping vulnerable families and children. They especially seek to find homes for the unwanted children in our society. Many of these agencies align themselves with Christian Child […]
Reflections aims to bridge the gap between the world where we live and the world where God wants us to live. Join me as I think about how God wants us to be in the midst of this chaotic world. Perhaps it will prompt you to reflect more deeply on what God dreams of for […]