I learned how to play the piano listening to Elton John, Billy Joel and Michael W. Smith. I’d sit for hours fumbling through the chords, straining to hit the right notes, practicing my yeah-yeahs and whoah-whoas… I didn’t fully appreciate what Michael had accomplished with his writing until I tried… Read More
Continuing our series on Compassion Bloggers, today I’ll answer the skeptics’ number one question about these trips. View Post
In a sanctuary turned classroom and gymnasium, over a bowl of chicken and rice, I leaned across the table and shouted over the music of children playing. “A poll a few years back found that 80% of American pastors have never spoken on the subject of poverty. With their help,”… Read More
I beg you, look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. -Glenn Beck When people of faith get to the public square they shouldn’t say “my religious view is this.” They should speak in… Read More
Does this ever happen to you? Reading the bible, your eyes run across the same idea again and again? In silence, that idea bubbles to the surface of your thoughts over and over? It comes up in conversation repeatedly? Maybe God’s trying to tell us something? Well, the idea that… Read More
My sister-in-law Amy (my wife’s sister) has been diagnosed with a rare form of ocular cancer. It’s a small patch of light brown tumor in her baby blue iris, tugging slightly at her pupil. View Post
We joined the caravan of hundreds of mini vans heading north on 65 like ants after dropped nachos at the county fair. Close enough to the truth really. Our destination? Holiday World: A theme park in Santa Claus, Indiana where Christmas and Halloween, Thanksgiving and the 4th of July live… Read More
Weeks ago, I told you my son’s sponsored child Achile needed a life-saving operation. I asked you (and over 800 Compassion Bloggers) to pitch in, to post, tweet, and give. And pray to God who heals the brokenhearted…literally! God answered our prayers! You spread the word and you gave! Generously.… Read More
I’ve disconnected for the last few days from phones and computers. I’ve learned the hard way what it feels like to near empty and what happens when I ignore the gauge, go on running on fumes and self-determination. I know how important it is, before reaching empty, to be with… Read More
I’m substitute teaching Genesis 15 this Sunday at my home church. When I study to teach I use quite a few sources and never know which ones God will use to get through my busy head and slow heart. This week a sermon by John Piper, a commentary by Walter… Read More
Boys and girls, today our story comes from the book of Judges, chapter 19.
Once there was a man who paid a woman to be his wife. One day the wife ran away from her husband. Her husband chased after her and found her hiding out at her dad’s house far far away. View Post
When helping people in the third world I always get the inescapable feeling that I’m helping Jesus. But here? yesterday I got the sobering sense that I was helping myself. View Post
This is Nashville after 20 inches of rain.
30 dead. Tragic.
A few dozen families lost their homes entirely. Sheetrock and carpet need replacing in dozens, even hundreds more. Treasured photographs are lost. Tables, couches, beds, and cabinets are destroyed. Roofs leak. View Post
I spoke to a group of bright Christian business students at Texas A&M University on Saturday. I explained the core message of Jesus in the first session. And in the second session we talked about how the teaching of Jesus would affect their lives in business: I showed them pictures… Read More
Ben and I came across the border at Niagra Falls today. The border patrol officer took our passports, thumbed through them and asked us what we’d been doing in Canada. Ben told him I’d been speaking at a conference, chuckled, and then told the officer he’d only come along to… Read More
Sosy and her friend Audrey were talking family yesterday. View Post
Who’s fault is it that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere? Who’s fault is it that an earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince? Who’s fault is it that almost 20,000 kids in Compassion’s care lost homes, clothes, parents, food, or water on January 12th? Who’s fault is it? I’ve been… Read More
You know the story. A young ruler asked Jesus, “What do I have to do to live forever?” Jesus asked, “You know the laws right?” And the guy said, “Know ’em? I’ve kept them all. Since I was a kid.” Jesus said, “Then there’s only one thing left to do:… Read More
I’m attempting what seems to be impossible. And it is impossible without a series of small miracles. Please pray. View Post
Yesterday, I got off the tour bus and hurried to my four year-old’s ballet class. It was parent observation day. Incredibly cute. I watched her stretch to the left and then to the right and then down the middle to smell her toes, pretending they were flowers. I watched in… Read More
In the first year of our relationship Yanci asked me in a letter to pray for her Dad because he needed help. What kind of help? I thought. Is he OK? Is there something more I can do than pray? On the bus last week I asked Yanci’s mom what… Read More
What happens when a hurricane hits the U.S.? Telethons. Thousands donated. FEMA. Thousands housed. Hospitals. Thousands healed. Insurance. Thousands rebuild. What happens when a hurricane hits a house made of mud? When earth by the ton gives way and slides through a neighborhood? When beds, clothes, and families are swallowed… Read More
The number of obese people on the planet right now is pretty close to the number of people who went hungry today.
Coincidence? View Post
This post is a discussion of Chapter 9: Who Really Loves That Way? from Francis Chan‘s Crazy Love. I wrote it to play my part in an on-line book club started by Jess and Angie. To keep up with all the book club happenings check out the Bloom book club… Read More
I stole from Brian this morning. I spoke to Canadian artists on behalf of Compassion International at this country’s version of Gospel Music Week. It’s pretty much the same as ours but with fewer people and a lot less metrosexuality and self-promotion. It’s not so much an industry/media event as… Read More
Shaun Groves