#missionary

Missionary, Explorer, Abolitionist

There are some historical figures whose every sin seems to get overlooked and whose every virtue seems to get amplified. Conversely, there are other historical figures whose every virtue seems to get overlooked and whose every sin seems to get amplified. I would place the modern understanding of David Livingstone squarely in the latter category. Though he was most certainly a flawed individual, it seems that today he is known only for those flaws rather than for his many strengths. …

What Amy Carmichael Hung on Her Wall

I spent a good portion of last year scouring the world for objects of historical importance. I read histories and biographies before I left so they could shape the direction of my travels. I read histories and biographies after I returned so they could interpret what I had seen and experienced. Here’s one case where it all came together just perfectly. Before I embarked on my journeys to Ireland and India I read biographies of Amy Carmichael, so I knew …

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Thank God for the IMB

As I continue my year of so much travel, and as 2018 begins to draw to a close, I find myself pondering themes. What are some of the themes I have seen or experienced as I’ve traveled 16 countries across 5 continents? What are some of the common elements I can identify? I’ll have much more to say about this in the future, but for today I want to tell about the one that continually that rises to the top: …

Why Medical Missions Is So Effective

Charles Woodrow is a doctor and missionary who has spent decades serving in Nampula, Mozambique. In a recent report he told of the value of medical missions and I asked his permission to share it with you. I hope you’ll be encouraged as you read it. You can learn more about Charles and his work here. In former days I loved to operate. I found it immensely satisfying to do a one-hour procedure that relieved someone of a problem that had …

Missionary to the Cannibals of the South Seas

There are some figures who tower over the history of the Christian faith. They are marked by their courage, their godliness, and their sheer faithfulness. There are many missionaries in this number and John Paton must rank high among them. Few have carried out a more difficult, costly, or perilous ministry. Few have suffered to the degree that he did. Few have seen so many won to Christ. His story is now told anew in Paul Schlehlein’s John G. Paton: …

If I Had Two Lives

I feel like I should have been familiar with the name Costas Macris, but confess it was unknown to me until a biography unexpectedly showed up in the mail. Written by Dan Vorm, If I Had Two Lives is a stirring tale of an amazing life. I don’t know how it got to me, but I’m glad it did. Born in Greece, Macris was raised in a Christian home, heard the gospel, believed it, and was saved. This made him …

An Army Without Supplies

I am an avid reader of books related to the Second World War. In my estimation, no conflict in history has been more interesting than this one. It has generated a wealth of fascinating stories and riveting accounts of unbelievable heroism. And even though countless thousands of books have already been written, new ones pour off the presses every day. Not nearly all the good stories have yet been told. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of these stories have recounted …

The Sweet Prattle

Over the weekend I have been reading Vance Christie’s account of the life of Hudson Taylor (Hudson Taylor: Gospel Pioneer to China). This is, to my recollection, the first biography of Taylor I have ever read. Missionary biographies always give me a lot to consider and this one has been no exception. As with so many missionaries, and perhaps especially missionaries of that era, Taylor suffered greatly, eventually burying his first wife and four of their young children in China. …

Ten Chapters Per Day (Follow-Up)

A few weeks ago I introduced you to Professor Horner’s Bible-Reading System in a post I titled Ten Chapters Per Day. As you remember Professor Horner’s system is simple but unique–“every day you read ten chapters of the Bible. That seems like a lot, so stick with me as I explain it. Each of the ten chapters will be from different books, which is to say that at any given time you’ll be reading ten books of the Bible concurrently, …

Ten Chapters Per Day

I’ve shared here before that I often find it difficult to find real joy and freedom in my personal devotions. At times things go very well, but then inevitably it seems that difficulties creep in and I find that I come to dread my time spent reading and praying. What is at some times delight is at other times the most difficult of duties. Over the years I have often tried programs, structures to keep me in some kind of …