Tag: Ministry
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No Longer Divided
There is an Irish TV show which was (and I believe still is) aired yearly when we were growing up. Its name was Reeling in the Years, and each episode would contain footage from both international and Irish events from one year in history, over which would be set some music from that time. In…
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In Praise of a Sending Church
I have come to realise that not all sending churches are created equal. As I’ve interacted with other missionaries in our area, and with those serving in other places, an unfortunate number have had cause to speak negatively about their home church and their involvement in the mission. Many have expressed a feeling of not…
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The Labourers’ View of the Field
This is a little different in style to my usual posts, but something that I hope will be interesting to chew on as you consider the world in which we live, where 42% have little to no access to the good news of Jesus. Over the past year, several long-term workers in our area have…
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A Man of the Soil
It is hard to grow plants here. In the summer, it is a constant battle against the heat. At this time of year, it is lack of light. What little light makes it through the smog of the megacity is further diluted by the many-storied buildings on every side. Some weeks you under-water, others, you…
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What I Do Have I Give To You
Living here in South Asia places a huge burden on the heart, that does not exist to the same extent in Ireland/the West. Poverty. Now of course, we have poor people in Ireland, and we try to help them as we can. Yes, there are those on the streets looking for money, sad scenes of…
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Don’t Touch The Tree
Recently, I heard a fable from our local culture here. The story goes as follows: A dog and an elephant both got pregnant at the same time. Very soon, the dog had a full litter of pups. It soon got pregnant again, and again delivered a full litter of pups. A third time, and a…
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Fools of a Unique Culture
In a couple of weeks it will be one year since landing in our host country in South Asia. As I sit here enjoying Andrew Peterson’s new cover album of Rich Mullin’s legendary “A Liturgy, A Legacy and A Ragamuffin Band”, there is definitely much to give thanks for. A few weeks back a new…
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A Father Before the Altar
Last night my daughter snuggled into my shoulder as I read to her the ending of Book 3 of the Wingfeather Saga. My eyes grew wet as I spoke to her of a father’s mighty act of heroism and strength for the hour – giving of his complete self for the sake of his children.…
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Ebenezer and the Making of a Man
“God knows what it takes to make a man” These were the words spoken by the dear brother who had discipled me in his own home for three years. I had recently moved to England to work, still a relatively young believer, with a difficult new church situation, and more than anything, a lament of…
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The Son of Man Came Not To Be Served, But…
Christians are a servant-hearted bunch. At least, we ought to be! And usually we are, to one degree or another. We love our King who humbled himself, took on the form of a servant and died a humiliating death on a cross for us. This event has gripped our hearts, and we want to likewise…
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Leviticus, Janner Igiby & The Other Side of the Altar
Over the past month I’ve been reading the Wingfeather Saga to my daughter. It is fun to see her eyes open wide at the twists and shocks of the story, and to see it spill off the page, into her imagination, creating a world within her mind. We’ve just finished the section where Janner Igiby…
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Trust Not In Fluent Lips
“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” – Galatians 3:3 For new missionaries, the realm of language learning is a battlefield. Never mind the funny mistakes one makes (E.g. You try telling your students that you’re proud of them, and instead tell them that you’re pregnant…), on…
Imitators of Those 