Education for Change

From Jamie and Alissa Shattenberg, Madagascar



Sunday, Jamie preached in church. As is custom, someone from the congregation was asked to read the scripture. The young woman in her early twenties stood, holding her 18-month old daughter in her arms. She juggled the baby and her Bible, trying to locate the verses she was to read. Two women came to her aid, one to hold her child, and the other to help her find the scripture.

She started to…

Continue

Congratulations to Jeff Denlinger, WorldVenture's new President!



For more, click on the link below.…

Continue

http://worldventure.com/page.aspx?pid=401

On March 4, 2009, we “marched forth” from San Diego to Lithuanian. Our first three years on the field have been like a speeding train heading down hill. We are amazed at all that God has allowed us to accomplish in this short time, and we can hardly wait to go back!!!…

Continue

…on the front burner…



Surprise

Recently I was talking to a couple of guys, one a believer and the other not yet, on the why of missions in a world of vying belief systems. I’m sure you’ve had similar conversations when people discover you’re a missionary. It struck me again at how a faith-in-God answer can simultaneously sound normal and absurd. To the one, missions are a natural response to one’s faith in Jesus… Continue

…on the front burner…



“Mother's Days”

Mothers... Mother's Day is soon upon us. Hopefully, it's not the only day we honor our mothers! Right in the midst of the Ten Commandments, it couldn't be clearer: "Honor your father and your mother..." Then on several different occasions, Jesus urged his hearers to honor their father and their mother. And, in case someone somewhere somehow missed the importance of… Continue

…on the front burner…



“Black Parakeet Tipping”

As an “Ag” major in college, I take delight when I hear others talk of cow tipping (somewhat sketchy I know). Ever wonder if it’s true? The denizens of online human knowledge (Wikipedia and YouTube) churn the debate between urban legend and the truth claims of frat houses across the nation. Go stand next to a Holstein cow sometime and you will quickly realize that the same… Continue

…on the front burner…



“Compliments”

We all love to get them.



When we think to give them, we too feel good in the offering of them.



Solomon wrote, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25



Then, why in the world are good, thoughtful compliments so rare?

Did you ever get a “compliment” from someone and feel… Continue

…on the front burner…



“Recovery”

re⋅cov⋅er⋅y [ri-kuhv-uh-ree]

1. an act of recovering. the regaining of or possibility of regaining something lost or taken away.
2. restoration or return to health from sickness.
3. restoration or return to any former and better state or…

Continue

…on the front burner…



“By all possible means”

One of our family’s Christmas traditions is to celebrate Advent in the weeks leading up to Christmas day. Even though the kids are grown (Andy is married and Rachel just got home from college), I still love our Advent celebration of lighting the candles, Scripture readings, singing Christmas carols, and praying with Christine. This year, I am contemplating the Incarnation… Continue