Experience the Heartbeat of Northern Brazil Picture yourself in a small, vibrant community in Northern Brazil. Feel the excitement of forró music, with its irresistible rhythm that makes your heart race and your feet move. This week, I poured my passion into writing a ballad. With the help of technology, I brought this song to life, … The Story of the Beginning of the Mirante Church
This week, I was transported back to 1998, when we began the Mirante Church, because their pastor, Nira, requested photos of the early days. In 1997, we moved to a notoriously dangerous neighborhood. The roads were so bad that when it rained, we often had to try several routes to claw our way in with … The Mirante Church
A Few Tips: Start your day with God: Spend enough quiet time with God each morning so that He shapes your perception of reality. Embrace Servant Leadership: Allow God to work through you and lead by serving others. Anticipate Discomfort in Change: Understand that organizational change can be unsettling. Expect chaos, resistance, and the feeling … How to Plant a Church from Scratch
At our home in Marabá, we have a large glass window that often surprises the local wildlife. Recently, while walking through the kitchen, I heard two dull thuds. It was a pair of doves that had failed to see the glass. Occasionally, we hear louder bangs when a peregrine falcon mistakes its reflection for a rival. … An Unexpected Gift
Which one are you? Now which one are you? Powered by WPeMatico
At Regent University, one of my assignments was to conduct a twelve-page textual study on any pericope—a complete story or section—in the Bible. I chose Genesis 2:4-25. In my study, I concluded that it’s crucial for children to leave their parents’ homes and form a unified bond with their spouse and God because the author … Thin and Thick Times
Our third grandchild arrived! Zack, Ellis Ritchard, and Olivia The day of the birth the girls had planned to watch their first Christmas movie together. They got partway through the movie. Tim, Bella, the twins, Anni, Zack’s mom Cindy, Deanna, and I moved in a long procession through the hushed hospital halls, trekking back and … Ellis Ritchard Whitton
In the cradle of trust, hope finds its wings,Babies show the reality of heavenly things.We are the stewards in God’s gentle embrace,To show them God’s Garden, His sacred space. In this world, disciples rise and strive,In good times and bad, faith is alive.As blessings bloom, we guard our souls,Neither worry nor strife will take its … A Tribute to Ellis
Would you take immediate action if you believed our human relationships had eternal, cosmic consequences? Sometimes, we get stuck, and it seems easier to leave things as they are than to address them. However, after taking two prerequisite steps, I find two questions helpful in working through such stuck points. Get Clear About Your Thinking … Reconciliation – First Steps
Use the Christmas celebration season to work on strained relationships. Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year for some, while for others, it might feel the most challenging. The holiday season offers a perfect opportunity to extend friendly greetings or gifts to those with whom we have strained relationships. To make your … A Christmas Preparation Idea
