by Keith Jainga
During my college years in the Philippines, I was a member of a Christian vocal band. Our ministry was to use the medium of music as a means to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our primary gigs or engagements were in churches and student gatherings. Sometimes we would be part of a mission team …
An article in Christianity Today points out that “educators lament the ‘nature deficit’ among today’s children, who are more likely to watch the Discovery Channel than discover their own backyard.” And so there are those who have developed an “educational program that gets youth out in the woods and into experiential learning.” Reading about this …
I just learned that singer/songwriter Isagani Licerio passed away last May 20. He was my brother-in-Christ, a fellow-musician and minister of the gospel, and a good friend. Upon hearing the news, I took the time to listen again to his first recorded original song, “Agos.” And I couldn’t help but feel a tug of emotion …
Just two months after the wedding, the marriage was over. The wife filed for divorce. And even when the divorce court judge recommended six months counseling, the wife would have nothing of it. Even when the husband offered to correct his error, the wife flatly rejected the offer. She said she couldn’t trust him anymore. …
Memorial Day is supposed to be a day when Americans are to remember and honor those who have died in service to this nation. But just like many other holidays, religious or otherwise, Memorial Day has lost its significance in the hearts and minds of many Americans. It has become nothing more than another opportunity …
David had sinned yet again. And the Lord confronted David about his sin; he had to face the consequences of his offense. But as the angel of the Lord enforced his judgment, still once more the Lord showed his mercy. As an expression of repentance and gratitude, David wanted to build an altar and make …
Almost without fail, every Sunday, around 9:30 AM, as I drive up Admiral Callaghan Lane on my way to the church facility, I get to see the same elderly couple walking down the road. I have no idea where they are headed. Or maybe it’s just their regular exercise. Whatever their destination or purpose, I …
During a recent National High-School Journalism Conference, Dan Savage, the founder of the popular anti-bullying campaign “It Gets Better,” was tasked to give a speech on anti-bullying. However, in the middle of his speech some 100 high school students quietly walked out. Why? For some reason, the speech moved in the direction of “Christian-bashing” that …
Andrew Bowen embraced Christianity in high school. But the kind of Christianity of which he became a part made him intensely critical of those who did not share the religion he embraced. One time, he even chased away a couple of missionaries on bicycles who had visited his house. Years later, he and his wife …
Last week I reflected on how text messaging can become a hindrance to authentic personal connection. As I continue to ponder the matter, I am reminded of one church leader’s constructive criticism concerning a habit that I had when I entered the SMS world. My default perspective was that a text message was mainly just …
