Have you ever found yourself torn between the decision to keep trying or give up? Perhaps it was with a specific person. You find yourself weighing whether or not to involve someone in your work. At a time of difficulty, the person in question left when things heated up. Do you include them once again or move forward? Such was the crossroads that Paul and Barnabas found themselves in, as recorded in Acts 15:36-41. In Acts 15, Paul proposes returning to the cities where they h

What does it take for me to be a contributor in the Kingdom of God, the church? It is daunting to consider the task set before each of us to work for the kingdom of God. We understand from parables such as The Vineyard Workers (Matt 20:1-16) and The Talents (Matt 25:14-30) both the privilege and the expected product of service. We might be concerned about doing enough. What tools do I need? Do I need powerful speech like Peter? Do I need to develop studious habits like Paul’s

It takes an extraordinary heart to act upon what is seen. That might be a bit of an overstatement, but is it? Have you ever felt like people could see exactly what you needed and yet wondered why they wouldn’t act? More painful, have you ever seen someone, knew exactly what they needed, and refused to help? I think we all know how both of those situations feel — to be neglected and to neglect. Such is why I believe in this statement: it takes an extraordinary heart to act upo