Scottish pioneer missionary John G. Paton reflecting on the influence of his father’s life of earnest, secret prayer: The “closet” was a very small apartment betwixt the other two [rooms of the house], having room only for a bed, a little table, and a chair, with a diminutive window shedding diminutive light on the scene.  … More The Influence of a Father’s Prayer Life

As I’ve studied and preached on the radical words of Jesus in the Gospels, I’ve found myself unable to escape one striking observation: Jesus does not give disclaimers. We hear “Take up your cross daily,” “Hate your father and mother,” “Gouge out your eye and hack off your hand,” and “Eat my flesh and drink my … More Jesus and Disclaimers

Here’s a hodge-podge of thoughts on holiness and mission as a follow-up and expansion of the last post and a response to several of the comments.  If I had time to organize these into a cohesive, flowing argument, I would try.  But late-July is not the time for a TMC Student-Lifer to be writing treatises.  I … More Holiness and Mission

The pendulum of evangelicalism is swinging again (not a news flash).  It has been for some time now.  Everyone is talking about the nature and degree of the church’s responsibility to engage with culture.  Some of the buzzwords are “culture,” “relevance,” and “contextualization.”  Some of the hot button verses are Acts 17 and 1 Corinthians 9.  … More When the Pendulum Swings

After traveling together in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Uganda, and the States, Cindi and I have realized that our best vacations (the ones where we are most personally and maritally refreshed) are when we take short trips to new places and spend full days exploring.  We find cheap hotels, patch together transportation, see the major sights and attractions, … More St. Louis, Missouri

We bought Judah his first bike several weeks ago.  For the first week or two he tried and tried but couldn’t quite get the hang of the pedal cycle.  He knew to push one pedal forward and down, but once he pushed it all the way to the bottom, he didn’t know how to turn the other pedal … More Judah and His New Bike

From Steven Curtis Chapman’s official website: NASHVILLE, TN – 5/21/08 – At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN.  Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens’ … More Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman’s Family

Some of you may know that we have spent this past year seeking the Lord’s leading for our next season of life.  We are deeply grateful to those of you who have prayed for wisdom and direction.  It has been a difficult process, but earlier this week we made a decision.  I have accepted TMC’s … More What We’re Doing Next

I attended the annual Shepherds’ Conference this week at Grace Community Church (Pastor John MacArthur).  One of the more famous traditions among perennial attendees is the free book binge at lunchtime on Thursday.  Fifteen or twenty Christian publishing companies are invited to the conference with the requirement that they hand out at least one free … More Shepherds’ Conference Books

A few days ago I mentioned the big news that our Ugandan judge has written a positive ruling for our adoption.  If the wording on the ruling is precise and accurate enough to be accepted by the U.S. embassy, Judah should be able to come home sometime in the first half of July. There are … More Adoption News: Almost Home

Great news:  This morning our Ugandan judge gave a positive ruling to two families that are adopting from Amani — the Anderson’s and the Pari’s.  We know the Pari’s personally because they live ten minutes away from us, and I got to spend a lot of time with their boy Jay when I was at the … More Positive Ruling for Two Amani Families!

Here’s a short video of Judah walking towards Cindi during the orphanage’s daily family time on the lawn.  This was on Wednesday, April 4.  We think he looks like a baby gorilla walking — stable enough to move well but unstable enough to be cute and wobbly.  Kids are great.