By Joel A Hess - The wonderful story of Luke and Paul’s meeting with Lydia in Philippi (Acts 16:40-17:1) blows apart so many false notions of Christianity. Lydia is clearly a successful woman, likely a widow or divorced, who runs a company. Luke doesn’t mention a husband and clearly associates her with the sole proprietor … Continue reading Thank God for Lydias
By Cindy Koch - Blue or pink? That was the critical dilemma a few months before our third daughter was born. Choosing a wall color for the baby’s nursery should have been an easy enough thing, but it was weighted with more pressure than I thought. Choosing a color for her brand-new tiny eyes to … Continue reading Creating Their World
By Paul Koch - It may sound a bit sappy or over simplistic, but most people still have great hope for peace in their lives. World peace would be preferred, of course, but most people will simply settle for peace in their own lives, in their immediate surroundings. Peace in their family, peace at work, … Continue reading Peace
By Tim Winterstein - Maybe it begins as an attempt by a doctor to expunge her guilt over not allowing a girl in danger into the medical practice where she is filling in. But as Jenny (the impressive and understated Adèle Haenel) is pulled into the orbit of The Unknown Girl (La fille inconnue, the … Continue reading The Healing Arts
By Dennis Matyas - News reached me last week of the closing of a church. This church was a small congregation in a small city that held their fellowship with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The news reached me because I was acquainted with it (in an oblique manner) and a few of its members. It … Continue reading On This Rock I Will Build My Church
By Joel A. Hess - Gloriosissimam ciuitatem Dei siue in hoc temporum cursu - Augustine, City of God I love Chicago, but it’s not for everyone. Masses of people are walking, driving, running, yelling, pushing, and crying 24/7. It’s busy and cramped. A large city is humanity on steroids or under a microscope. Everything good and … Continue reading The City is the Future
By Paul Koch - I love gardening. I had never thought I would love it, even 15 years ago, but I do. I’m not saying that I’m all that good at it either. Though, let’s be honest, it’s somewhat difficult to be a bad gardener when you live in Ventura, California. But I do love … Continue reading The Promise of Something New
