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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Rick, Careca, and Clenildo (2024) Careca lived in the bush and hated Christians. One day, Clenildo was passing through that remote region and noticed a man working in his field, making farinha, by himself. He stopped and asked if he could help, as it was a two-person job. Careca accepted and later invited Clenildo to …
Edna, Leão, Claudio, Clenildo, and Deanna Edna and Leão are the senior pastors in Gurupá and the supervisors of the Xingu River churches. Claudio is the national director of the Association of Vineyard Churches in Chile. Clenildo is the pastor of all the pastors in the Northern Region of Brazil. Deanna is awesome. Edna spoke …
Even in Chile, the North is considered rugged and difficult, and the South is wealthier and easier. The Chileans consider Santiago, where we are, the South, and they do mission trips from here to the North. The city of Santiago, 7 million people, stretches for 10 km in all directions from this hilltop. Most of …
Romans 1:11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. Paul thought writing letters was helpful, but a personal visit was way more powerful. This is why we came to Chile. It takes Clenildo 48 hours to travel by boat to Gurupá.It takes us 8 hours by car, then 16 …
The Chileans love barbecues! A pastor told us they consider the Christian life process like a barbecue. 1. People start out like frozen meat, rock hard. 2. As they experience God, and as people love them, they get soft and tender. 3. Then they start to give their lives for others. They become a living …
If you only learn stuff you already know, meetings are boring. Since you already knew what was taught, and you are doing your best, how are you going to change? By trying harder? Jesus understood this. He taught people different ways to behave and to think about things. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for …