It's not enough to recognize that a certain habit or practice or accomplishment would be good to do. In order for you to find the motivation to change, you have to recognize not why it would be good for someone to do, but why it's important for you to do.
Read MoreHaving hope and being optimistic and believing for the best are great -- but they'll only take you so far. They'll take you to the edge of imagination and intention, but they won't lead to positive transformation until you choose to take action.
Read MoreTemporary change is interesting, but it's not transformative. We need to take consistent, constructive steps every day in order to experience true change. This month, I'm going to be exploring how to take meaningful, sustainable steps toward transformation. Want to join me?
Read MoreAs followers of Jesus, we aren't called to sit fuming, name-calling, blame assigning, in our pews, waiting for other people to take responsibility for the problems we see. We aren't called the curse the darkness. We're called to become the light.
Read More“Many people do not want to come to a war zone,” the young man said. But you did -- you ran in for us.” I smiled, and blinked back tears. “You are love,” he said. “Because love runs in.”
Read MoreLast night I ate my first meal in South Sudan, sitting across from a young priest. “Father, in the midst of war and famine, what do you tell the people about God?” He said, “I tell them God is hope."
Read MoreSouth Sudan has the highest rates of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, and the highest child mortality rate in the developing world. It's the most fragile country in the world, and 2.5 million S. Sudanese have lost their lives in the current civil war. Please pray for them. Pray for me.
Read MoreWe can live our lives consumed by seeking standing ovations that bring crowds to their feet. But our ultimate purpose is to bring a crippled, suffering world to its feet, one pair of healed, dancing feet at a time.
Read MoreI think having courage is more meaningful than being brave because it means you honestly encounter fear...and choose to believe that something matters more.
Read MoreAs I remember the joy of today, 24 hours before leaving for the next leg of the journey to South Sudan, it occurs to me that soaking up the beautiful in our world isn’t optional; it’s essential. Because beauty gives us the vision, the energy and the reminder we need to keep pouring our lives into the brokenness.
Read MoreI'd appreciate you thinking of me as I learn to practice love that costs me something. As I learn to practice compassion until it hurts. As I learn to perfect the art of schlepping in the rain.
Read More“Okay,” I said. “If you show me where they are, I’ll buy you a FIFA ball.” The boy started giving me high-fives and hugging me. One of the older boys knelt down, took my hand, and kissed it. I asked who wanted to walk to the market with me.
They all did. As we started walking, the boys danced and skipped behind me as if I were the Pied Piper of futbol.
Read MoreWhen we set broken bones and carve out cancers and suture wounds and alleviate pain, we are playing God in the best possible way. We are agreeing with God that while disease may be the present state in which we find the world, it is not the way it’s supposed to be, and often it’s not the way it has to be, and we do whatever we can to make it right.
Read MoreIn December I'll be traveling to South Sudan to teach medicine. It's the most dangerous trip I've taken -- and it'll be my first time in a war zone. Please consider making a contribution to support the trip. By training 100 teachers, it'll impact the lives of 30,000 children!
Read MoreHappy Birthday, WELL!
Read MoreHaving malaria in Togo, and pneumonia this weekend, helps me remember that the power that raised Jesus from the dead on Sunday morning was the same power at work in his life on Friday night. On Sunday, the power gave him strength to rise. On Friday, the power gave him strength to surrender.
Read MoreHer inevitable death was infused with hope, because I knew that for the rest of eternity, she would be held in hands that were much stronger and gentler and more loving and knowing than mine could ever be.
Read MoreHere's an update on The Invisible Girls -- the five Somali refugee girls I met on a train in Portland in October 2010. Since then, I've kept my promise to them: "No matter where you go, I will always love you, and I will always find you."
Read MoreJesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” But instead, we let little children suffer, and often die, while we spend money on frivolous things.
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