By Mary Generally, I make it a practice not to engage in the game of “What if . . .?” You know the one. What If I had done this instead of that? What if I had said this and not that? It’s closely related to the game of “I wish I had . . … Continue reading
By Jessica Hearne I learned the term “forest bathing” recently, and I find it very intriguing. The idea comes from Japan, where people started practicing it in the 1980s to fight burn-out in a society that was increasingly technology- and achievement-oriented. The term describes a practice of immersing oneself in a forest, connecting with creation … Continue reading
By Karen Earlier this month, my colleague and I made a site visit to one of our most remote ministry teams, serving our church congregation in our southernmost city. We were excited to visit because we know this team is doing meaningful, hands-on work every day to bring hope and relief to the most vulnerable … Continue reading
By CBF field personnel Carson Foushee Carson Foushee has been serving with his wife Laura in partnership with the Japan Baptist Convention since 2013. Carson served the summer of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He served in China as a Mandarin language student and assisted with English classes led by CBF affiliate field personnel Don … Continue reading
By Eddy Ruble CBF field personnel in Penang, Malaysia Psalm 8:3-4, NRSV When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? I have always connected with nature … Continue reading
By Dianne and Shane McNary CBF field personnel “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy…” Matthew 6:9 In a Slovak Baptist context, anything which hints of Catholicism seems dubious. The fear of the straw man of liturgy, sadly, robs the church of countless historical riches. We … Continue reading
By Jessica Hearne, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel Who knew it would be so difficult to grow watermelons? Isaiah certainly didn’t know when he started planting them on the Urban Farm five years ago. We can grow cucumbers just fine, and watermelons are kind of like cucumbers, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right? Maybe … Continue reading
By Rev. Rick Sample “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am,” John 14:3, NIV. Heavenly Father, the events during the summer of 2021 in Afghanistan were devastating for the Afghan people just as … Continue reading
By Cindy Ruble, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel Recently, thanks to a generous donor, I had the privilege of facilitating a Self-Care Retreat for 25 trauma social workers, staff,and volunteers. The pandemic brought many things with it, including an increase in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse as life moved more … Continue reading
There’s #BlackFriday #SmallBusinessSaturday and #CyberMonday…and then there’s #GivingTuesday, an international day of giving! Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving back. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people around the world come together to celebrate and support meaningful causes. This year, our goal was to raise $10,000 by the end of Giving Tuesday to participate … Continue reading