The Conversion of Jamel Attar

Stories of how people come to faith in Christ can be moving and powerful. In the earliest days of the Church, for example, we read of the amazing conversion of the Apostle Paul (Acts chapters 9 and 22). Paul was a man deeply committed to a religion (first century Judaism) but came to believe in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Paul had misunderstood and opposed the Christian message, but one day he met Jesus personally and his life was changed forever. As a result, he became a great missionary for Christ. God still saves people like this, even out […]

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Essential Characteristics of a Leader

Leadership impacts all of us. One of the lessons of the Bible is that all of God’s people are to serve in one way or another as leaders. We are all to reflect to some extent the functions of prophets, priests and kings within the new people of God and before the world. Understanding Christian leadership not only makes us good followers, but it also helps us fulfill the leadership roles that God gives to each of us. So what are the necessary characteristics of the faith-minded leader? Let me suggest four of the most important qualities. While all of […]

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Ramadan, Fasting and the Good News

This year Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, takes places from May 27 to June 25. For Muslims it brings thirty days of rigorous fasting, along with prayer, reading of the Qur’an and giving to the poor. Christians disagree strongly with Muslims about their understanding of God. However, Ramadan can provide a unique opportunity for Christians to show love and compassion to Muslims. Prayer, fasting, the reading of Scripture, care for one another and the poor — these are all practices with which faithful Christians are familiar. But we practice these within the wonderful freedom that we have […]

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Who Will Rescue Us?

Refugees often experience fear, confusion and shame. Their plight is a picture of the broken human condition. We all live in a time of danger — none are immune. The life and death questions we face desperately need answers. Our brokenness, and the brokenness of our nation, can rob us of our dignity. We, too, can feel shame, like the world’s refugees. Who will rescue us? The question is risky. The wrong answer, in a time of fear, can lead to violence and tyranny, especially if trust we in human saviors. The right answer can finally bring us safely home. […]

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What’s So Great About Heaven? 3 Things To Consider

A few months after my older sister died, I found my mother crying uncontrollably. The tears where not only for my sister, but they were also about heaven and Dad. Mom blurted out, “Will your father still be my husband in heaven?” She could not imagine a life without him. Like Mom, most of us have heartfelt questions about heaven. While we do not have all the answers, we do know that it will be inexpressibly beautiful and joyous. It will be so great that the deepest and best longings of its residents will be wonderfully satisfied. Throughout church history, […]

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God’s Wisdom in Christ: The Way of the Cross

Without wisdom human flourishing is impossible. Today culture is bewitched by scientific knowledge and technical skill. This is seen, for example, in education’s emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). While these are amazingly productive disciplines, our world is left hungry for wisdom. There are problems that the hard sciences cannot solve. We have ATM cards and online banking, but our society struggles with an unprecedented debt problem. Quantum leaps forward in our knowledge of disease and new medical technologies have increased life expectancy, but where is the wisdom for heart-rending end of life decisions? The Internet and globalization […]

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Appreciating Other Church Traditions

Visitors are naturally amazed at the variety of Florida’s palm trees. There are over twenty five hundred palm species in the world and many are grown right here. They share a family resemblance, but they also exhibit an astonishing diversity. Similarly, while looking for a Christian community in South Florida, one will find a breathtaking array of traditions, denominations and styles of church life. There are family resemblances around Christ and the gospel, but the many differences are striking. Christianity’s long history has produced a range of church expressions including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant. A collage of churches […]

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Engaging Muslims with Wisdom and Love

The Lord calls Christians to relate wisely and virtuously with all people. This includes how followers of Jesus engage Muslims. Acts of terrorism done in the name of Islam, against both Muslims and non-Muslims, can tempt us to respond in ways that are neither wise nor virtuous. If people have never had Muslim friends, their only impressions come from news and social media, which tend to build a distorted picture. Even among Christians, heated debates break out about the very language we use on issues relating to Islam. In politics we debate whether or not terrorists should be called “radical Muslims.” […]

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To Vote or Not to Vote

American Christians have traditionally considered voting for a president a sacred duty. Every four years the question was not whether to vote, but for whom to vote – typically a Republican or a Democrat. Two election cycles ago, Ted Lewis edited a collection of essays, Electing not to Vote: Christian Reflections on Reasons for Not Voting. Few paid attention. But today, during a bitter and controversial primary, more Christians are wrestling with the option of not voting. At the same time, many continue to argue for one of the two main candidates, while others are opting to vote independent. Whatever […]

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The Virtue of Getting Along with Others

Disputed matters are tearing at the fabric of society: law enforcement and racism, national security and immigration, economics and poverty, marriage and sexual identity, international affairs, refugees and the sad list goes on. In his 2008 book entitled, The Case for Civility: And Why Our Future Depends on It, author Os Guinness called for a restoration of civility in America. But today the world looks on in disbelief at our public discourse and the lack of civility exhibited by so many politicians and citizens. Dr. Guinness’s passionate plea has largely gone unheeded. How can we as Christ followers engage our […]

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