Articles published in the monthly Together in Prayer newsletter.
“…nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6) On Pentecost Sunday I was impressed, once again, by this marvelous word from Zechariah: “Not by might…” The verse, really, is a caption to the strange … (read more)
“A wandering Aramean was my father…” (Deuteronomy 26:5) I have recently met a pair of “Christian nomadists.” I do not think that I had ever met a “nomadist” before. I met them in the streets of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – a … (read more)
"Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God" (Psalm 87:3). I am traveling a bit this spring. In April, I was in Mexico to fellowship with the church and our missionary colleagues in that country. In May I … (read more)
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view…" (2 Corinthians 5:16) Lent is the season of earnest vows and solemn moods. It is the season of mid-week services – perhaps the only time during … (read more)
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” (Matthew 16:24) On Ash Wednesday I participated in a centuries-old Christian ritual, still practiced in my … (read more)
Recently I came across an encouraging headline statistic. The unevangelized world is shrinking. In the year 2000, the overall number of the unevangelized decreased by approximately four million souls… Beneath the headline, however, the story becomes more complicated. The "overall … (read more)
Epiphany is my favorite season of the year. Maybe it is the calm that appeals to me, after the rush of Christmas. Maybe it is the hopeful beginning of a new year, or the promise of longer days and (eventually) … (read more)
“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you… (1 John 1:3). The Moravian Church, dating to Nicholaus von Zinzendorf, has developed a simple yet powerful doctrinal formula. It is called the “Easter Litany.” It is a … (read more)
Our Handbook concludes with a section entitled “the heart of mission.” Let me conclude this series of articles with excerpts. Devotion to Jesus The heart of mission begins with devotion to Jesus. We are invited, graciously, to become his slaves. … (read more)
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I see it as the very power of God working for the salvation of everyone who believes it, both Jew and Greek. I see in it God’s plan for imparting righteousness to … (read more)