Who likes books on theology? Long discourses on religious beliefs always seemed boring and needless to me. However, in Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis takes the ordinary Christian doctrines we are all familiar with and expounds on them in a fascinating and exciting new way. He offers rational explanations for why things are as they […]
With so many different versions of the Bible in the world today it becomes very important to ask: which Bible can we trust? After all, the Bible is the written Word of God, every Word of God is true, and thus it is the key for understanding doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (II […]
September 30. In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated. People rest from work and the ram’s horn sounds during a special memorial service. In southern Taiwan an unusually large flock of 126 migrant ibises are sighted in a field: white with long curved black bills, black heads and black tails. And in Choujhou, a farmer bends […]
In the midst of a city with escalating immorality and increasing public wickedness, nearly two thousand Christians gathered in San Francisco for a time of open repentance and prayer. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this prayer rally, which was appropriately named America Return to God. The powerful message on true repentance, […]
Looking back over another week, I sense a new appreciation for God’s great mercy: acceptance or favor that is not earned or deserved. On Sunday He brought me across the lines of a hymn that I had forgotten about, saying simply: There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea. There’s a […]
Did you know that skunks are very confident but not very courageous? The night was warm for September. The singing chorus of crickets and dew-covered grass helped to muffle the sound my footsteps. Cautiously, I moved from the shadows of the forest into the moon-lit field, scanning for any signs of occupation. A few minutes […]
Sept 7: Grandma Brannon’s 80th Birthday: What a cause for a celebration! Saturday afternoon the Staddon home was bustling with many diligent workers in preparation for the party. We were grateful for everyone who came to help decorate and prepare food. Sunday morning during church Esther and Mom surprised Grandma by playing the special music […]
While we’re already into our third week, we’re actually only beginning to “take off” with a full-fledged teaching schedule. Yesterday and today students from Nan Jung (our host school–pronounced Non Rong) came for a total of seven 45-minute periods and next Monday students from an elementary school will be the first regular outside guests to […]
While walking home after work these past few days, I’ve been surprised at how quickly evening approaches. It’s hard to believe that summer is almost gone. But before it leaves completely, let me post a few of my favorite summer portraits. The way some flowers line up on their stem allows room for creativity in […]
It is Thursday. The time in Choujou is 8:55am. My location is the English Village office in the corner of Nan Jung Junior High school, at a computer in front of a window facing eastward towards America and towards home and towards New York City. Memory is a tremendous blessing from God: not completely tame; […]