We’re heading into Fourth of July weekend in my city of Philadelphia. As the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, we go all out to celebrate freedom. This year we are apparently pulling out all the stops to wow the world with a virtual freedom festival. I’m not sure the fireworks will feel the same, but it’s 2020, so let’s just roll with it. In 2020, the concept of freedom is especially...
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the reality of social distancing, a lot of ministry is moving from physically present to online. Biblical counseling is no exception. But can we really offer effective biblical counseling via video platform? Can video conferencing systems really bridge the distance created by the pandemic? When you talk about counseling via video, you hear a lot of opinions. Some...
Are you looking for ways to help your children grow in understanding those who experience very different lives and challenges? If yes, check out this series of magical realism tales set in Africa. Fueled by a growing desire to share her experiences in Africa to foster compassion and empathy, JA Myhre, a missionary doctor serving with Serge in East Africa, wrote The Rwendigo Tales, an...
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, imagine how they are feeling, to be concerned for them, and then to be stirred to action.(See The Empathy Effect by Dr. Helen Riess, MD) This is an essential skill for the Christian who seeks to live out the second great commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.” The easy way for empathy to grow is to experience the same...
And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11 NIV) Father’s Day is such a great day. It is a difficult day for me, but it is a great day. I love my dad Phil; he brings me so much joy. I long to be like him. I know he sins, and struggles, but he is an amazing dad. I just lost my father-in-law, George. I recently sat on my patio on a Zoom call...
