In this essay, I want to explore the question of Nourishment in relation to Service. The central question will be, “How should we care for ourselves, and how should we care for others? How are these related? In short, what is the gold standard for Christian ministry? How do we address the controversy surrounding “self care” as a secular practice? This is an important question for Christian women, many of whom see…
What was lost at creation was a place and a space of abundance, perfect communion, and glory. Adam and Eve were one with each other and one in God’s presence. As disciples saved from the power of Satan, we are brought once again in God’s place and space: the New Creation. It is even MORE glorious and abundant than the old, because God doesn’t just restore and renew but takes what was…
The call to "carry our cross" is... intense. I don't know that talking and thinking about it means as much as just doing it, but then Jesus did leave us not only His example but also His words. We have to understand what He calls us to do; we have to count the cost. Reading books about cruciformity such as "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and "Cruciformity" by Michael J.…
Capturing wild yeast in the Tudor period - Source It's quite interesting watching yeast at work. It is everywhere, ostensibly - on the peel of pears and grapes, in the air, etc. Medieval bakers did not quite know what it was, but they knew what it did. They would set a bowl of flour and water out in the field or under an apple tree. Over time, slowly gaining strength and multiplying,…
When our survival instinct kicks in, it's often every man and women for themselves. Yet, in the moment of crisis, one courageous young man, Dirk Willems, made a decision that cost him everything. He chose the way of love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Uw-E3tAHU Narration by Patrick Schrock / Video by Rebekah Mui The year was 1569. Holland was under the rule of the Spanish King Philip the Second. The dikes around the village of Asperen…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sca_H9TS9H8 What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, to count the cost and carry our cross? Anna Jansz, a 16th century martyr, came to faith amidst chaos and revolution in 16th century Holland. She chose the way of Christ and loved not her life until death. In this, she demonstrated the courage and strength of Kingdom womanhood and her last words to an infant son echo to us across…
(First published on September 26, 2021) https://youtu.be/7elTybuOA7U The way of the Cross means sacrifice,As to God you yield your allTo be laid on the altar, the place of death,Where fire will surely fall.Mary E. Maxwell For a long time I was quite passionate about the idea that God calls us to take up the cross and sacrifice everything for Him. I believed a Christianity centered around this was the one thing badly…