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The reports about Andrew Brunson’s release are just another example of how little the media know about evangelical churches.
Time teaches us to recognise that what seemed so terrible then wasn't as bad as it seemed.
Harrison Dillard in the hurdles Olympic Games London. / Wikimedia.
It's not the norm. It happens sometimes, but only to special people: those who never give up. HARRISON DILLARD was one of these.
During the 1948 London Olympics he was the favourite to win the gold medal in the 110m hurdles race, but in the semi-finals he knocked down a hurdle and didn't make it to the final.
Harrison didn't want to go home with nothing to show for his efforts, so he entered the 100 metres - and won the gold medal!
I started by saying that few people react this way, because most people complain about their problems.
You could call complaining the world's biggest sport. If you go out any day and talk to a number of "normal" people, most of them will complain about something.
Complaining is dangerous. In the first place, you can't get ahead. In the second place, you get discouraged. In the third place, complaining makes the future look grim. In the fourth place, complaining leads to anger at yourself and others.
In the fifth place, complaining makes you blame God for your situation. In the sixth place, complaining crowds out gratitude; and in the seventh place, complaining makes you miss opportunities. Do you still feel like complaining?
On the other hand, never forget that complaining is contagious. If you start complaining, you'll soon find yourself surrounded by complainers! We must learn to put up with unpleasant things. If we can't learn this lesson, we'll never get anywhere.
Can you remember your complaints of a year ago? They seem silly now, don't they? Time teaches us to recognise that what seemed so terrible then wasn't as bad as it seemed.
Sometimes a problem even turns out to be a blessing! So please, stop complaining. It underlines our sin. Trust God and don't give up; start over!
If God is calling you to a responsible job, don't be afraid. He himself will fit you for it by his Spirit, and you'll do well.
Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Kathy Bryan: Online sex trafficking in the USA
“Prostitution is nobody’s dream, it’s a very traumatic lifestyle”, says Kathy Bryan, director of the Elevate Academy. She mentors former victims.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Photos: #WalkForFreedom
Abolitionists marched through 400 cities in 51 countries. Pictures from Valencia (Spain), October 20.
Photos: Reaching people with disabilities
Seminars, an arts exhibition, discussion and testimonies. The European Disability Network met in Tallinn.
Photos: Hope for Europe
Unity in Diversity is the theme of the conference. Representatives of Evangelical Alliances and many other church leaders gathered in Tallinn (Estonia).
Sharing Jesus with World Cup fans in Moscow
A team of Steiger mission is starting conversations about the gospel in the middst of the football celebration in Russia.
Biotechnology: “There is a difference between restoration and enhancement”
“We have to understand the times in which we live, and have discernment”, says Doctor Peter J. Saunders.
The Manzanas case
A short documentary about how retired pastors and widows of an evangelical denomination in Spain fight a legal battle for their pensions after the favourable ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.
How does romantic love change over time?
Psychatrist Pablo Martínez uses a metaphor to explain how romantic love evolves.
‘Mediterráneo’
“Something will change if you have hunger and thirst for justice”, sings Spanish artist Eva Betoret in a song about the refugee crisis.
How the loss of universal values led to a loss of civility
Author Bruce Little: “We have moved from a sense of responsibility to ‘my personal rights’”.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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