“Do you have an extra seat at your table?” This was the question TN Kids Belong asked, and the one that ultimately led us to become foster parents. I couldn’t unsee the two empty chairs at our table every time we sat down to have a meal.
Culture
Welcome Others: Lead with Love
I’m not going to lie, hospitality is not always easy, especially when you are trying to demonstrate it to people you might not get along with. I get it, but we are not called to only show love, generosity and hospitality to our closest friends. As believers, we are called to show these things to everyone we encounter.
A Closer Look at Human Trafficking
Today – July 30th, is The World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This day is meant to raise awareness about the situation of human trafficking victims and meant to promote and protect the rights of trafficking victims.
Welcome Others: Practicing Hospitality In The Digital Space
At its core, social media is an extension of the real world and has the ability to affect the real world in both good and vile ways. It’s a place where relationships are built and broken and where people are celebrated and canceled. Therefore, there is a need to practice biblical hospitality within the metaphorical walls of social media.
The Freedom of Focus
As a kid growing up, I was constantly being reminded that there was an invisible line that I had to “watch out” for in order to not get in trouble for something. The trick was to figure out where the line was, so that I wouldn’t be in danger of accidentally crossing it. This idea carried into my faith-walk as well. My life as a Christian became about lines not to cross.
Welcome Others: Pursuing The Heart of Those Closest to You
As a follower of Jesus it feels like I am constantly fighting for the heart of those who are closest to me, my family. With a world of distractions, temptations and everything else, it is easy for hearts to drift and before we know it, we are in the heat of the battle fighting for the ones we love.
Welcome Others: Loving Your Next Door Neighbor
One of the deepest needs we have as human beings is to feel known and loved. In God’s kindness He gives us a ‘how to’ in order to fulfill that soul need. Luke 10:27 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” Did you catch that word? Neighbor. It’s pretty specific.
The Power of a Heavenly Citizenship
This weekend, parties will be thrown, grills will be full, fireworks will be shot and fun will be had. It is good to celebrate July 4th. It is also good to do so sober mindedly, for the cultural and spiritual forces at work in our land right now are very strong, threatening to pull us apart at the very seams.
The Story of Two Refugee Crises that Break the Mold
For many of us, the modern refugee crisis hit our radar in September 2015 with a viral photo of a little Syrian boy named Alan Kurdi, laying facedown on a beach after trying to escape to Europe with his family. If someone asked me to describe the typical refugee, my mind would immediately go to stories like Alan’s – a Middle Eastern family fleeing violence in search of a better life. But, refugees don’t come in just one shape or size.
Noormah’s Refugee Story
By the name of our merciful God, who created all the human beings, I am very grateful for my kind, graceful, compassionate God. I am Noormah, I am 25 years old, and I am from Afghanistan.