Tag: Mission
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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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Deadly Pineapples and Dependence on the Spirit
Did you know that if you eat pineapple and drink milk consecutively that you will, in fact, die? Furthermore, it is one of many dangerous foods for pregnant women to eat. My wife (very obviously expecting our third child) has been asked by fruit sellers, with a note of serious concern in their voices, “Are…
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Better Than All The Stories
Last week we had some visitors from Ireland staying with us. One evening, as we were putting the kids to bed, we all sat on the floor and did that day’s devotional from a book. One of the questions that day was, “what is your favourite Bible story?” One-by-one we went around, telling our favourite…
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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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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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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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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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Teleported to Glory
In the next couple of weeks, we are going to have our first visitors from home, coming out to our adoptive country. Dee’s mother, brother, and sister-in-law-to-be, will be on their way back from a trip to Australia, and on the way to Ireland will stop off with us in South Asia for a week.…
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The Change Along The Way
The story goes, that when the Cambridge Seven (distinguished young British missionaries who had left their popular sports careers and student lives, to move to China) arrived on those Eastern shores, that they had somewhat of a run-in with their new team leader – Hudson Taylor. Hudson Taylor was well known for his deep commitment…
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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 