Last night as the sun set, Jerusalem silenced herself in the same way she does each Friday night. It is Shavuot (Pentecost), a day set apart to thank God for giving the Law to his pilgrim people at Mt. Sinai after he freed them from slavery in Egypt. Jesus’ disciples headed to Jerusalem as he told them…

I was introduced to Peggy White by a dear friend at a retreat a couple of years ago. Not long ago, I heard that Peggy retired from her special education teaching position, after earlier stints teaching home economics and working as computer-aided draftsperson. She’d returned to school in order to get her master’s degree in…

My husband and I are in Jerusalem for this week’s board meeting for the Caspari Center. This is our 6th trip to Israel. We arrived last Thursday, and spend a lovely weekend in Ashdod, grateful to be on the receiving end of some amazing hospitality in a perfect location on the Mediterranean Sea. The weekend was…

Three weeks ago, I posted a brief survey querying those over 40 about their experience with the local church. I’ve been sharing results of this survey (here,here and here), and am still collecting responses here if you’re interested in sharing your thoughts. It may not be a very scientific instrument, but the results most definitely call further study and…

I’ve heard some believers say that mental illness can be reduced to a mind-over-matter issue. “If that depressed person would just apply a little Christian elbow grease by memorizing and applying the Word of God, they’d get over it.” I’ve heard other believers insist that mental illness is always a spiritual issue. “It’s demons. End…

I first “met” Tim Fall when I noticed he was a regular commenter at the Christianity Today Her.meneutics blog. I’m honored to be a contributor at the site. Some of the topics covered by the blog writers have sparked some intense reaction in the comments section. Tim’s words have been consistently encouraging and thoughtful. On occasion, when…