The Proverbs 31 Woman Has a Facebook Page p. 34
Thanks to Kate Shellnutt and Hannah Anderson for a discerning article on Christian women and their rising involvement in multilevel marketing. It was an empathetic article on why women might get involved, as well as a wake-up call for those who assume they’d make money, and a warning on the danger of turning the church into a marketplace. I also was excited to hear about an exceptional company (Jessica Honegger’s Noonday Collection) that benefits not only those selling the jewelry, but also workers in countries that so need a marketplace. Now that’s the kind of party I would willingly attend.
But we need to warn Christian women about getting entrapped by those who may have less noble goals, twisting Scripture to woo them in, making false promises about earning potential, and deceiving them about what is truly meaningful in life. Thanks so much for a fair article on a sensitive and sticky subject.
Dee Brestin
Ephraim, Wisconsin
Thanks to the excellent work of @KateShellnutt I now understand what MLM is and why my wife gets so many invites.
@TrevinWax
The Poverty of Christmas p. 25
Beautiful article on the Incarnation. Reminds me of Oswald Chambers and the idea of God inviting us.
@CamdenMcAfee
Probably my favorite Christmas reading I’ve come across this season.
@PeteTegeler
Comet of Wonder p. 42
In response to Greg Cootsona’s article, “Comet of Wonder,” one of the best arguments that the star of Bethlehem wasn’t what we’d call a star or a comet today is that it came to “rest” (ESV) over the single house where the child Jesus was. That couldn’t be accomplished by a comet thousands of miles above the village, much less a single house within the village. To distinguish one house from all the others suggests something much closer to earth than our modern-day star or comet and points to the use of the word star as a synonym for an angel. The Old Testament occasionally uses the word star for an angel. And we know that angels have a significant role in Matthew, explaining the meaning of the first advent. So, it makes sense that the Magi would have described the angel as a star.
Tom Sorensen
Centennial, Colorado
The Resister p. 46
I especially enjoyed the article “The Resister” on Diet Eman, the Dutch woman who, like Corrie ten Boom, helped to hide Jewish refugees from the Nazis and paid a terrible price. I thought of our present refugee crisis in Europe. Arguments on both sides are cogent, and I can see both sides, but, as what happened as Christians gave refuge to Jews during World War II, many Muslim refugees are finding Jesus Christ in the hospitality shown to them in Germany, Austria, and elsewhere—a hospitality not always shown to them in the Middle East.
Dan LaRue
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
In February 1989, Diet Eman worked on a medical mission in Belize in which I was involved. I remember well how she kept us spellbound for two hours one evening, telling about her activities with the Dutch underground. She told of her bitterness when she heard of Hein’s death in the concentration camp, until she also heard how he brought the news of salvation to many in the camp. I still get chills when I think of her words: “Imagine the contrast, dying in the camp and waking up in heaven!”
Catherine Van Eck
Lansing, Illinois
This needs to be a movie.
@Ben_E_Thomas
When God Hits Below the Belt p. 54
I appreciated Mark Gignilliat’s article “When God Hits Below the Belt.” Few Old Testament passages have meant more to me over the years than the story of Jacob’s wrestling match with God at the Jabbok River. I have had a similar series of encounters spanning 46 years. These have left me limping badly and sometimes tempted to bitterness, but still holding on. I am so thankful for the grace of this one passage of Scripture. I don’t know what I would have done without it.
Paul Birmingham
Sandusky, Ohio
The most helpful lesson I have learned from the account of Jacob wrestling with God is that I am useless to the plan of God until I have been made to walk with a limp.
Roy Mayfield
Carnation, Washington
Growing Hope in Oaxaca p. 60
I found the article by Bruce Wydick an enjoyable analysis of methodology to extend Christian hope. His terminologies were similar to mine, although mine are from agricultural ministry. Many times Christians who desire to help in and through charity are conspicuous because of our wealth and generosity. Sadly, we seldom make the time to better understand what is missing in the lives and communities we feel so moved to serve. Walking alongside one another, sharing burdens, and working toward a defined goal are mutually beneficial. From such efforts, faith is encouraged and hope grows.
Mike Mueller
Hope Seeds, Inc.
Righteous Anger: Not Just for Jesus p. 72
Sarah Sumner quotes Isaiah 45:9 in defending her statement that anger against God is sin. On the other hand, the psalmist cries, “Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever” (Ps. 44:23), and Job 3 is replete with the question “Why?” To remove the edge of anger in these texts (and many others) addressed to God is to remove their power and poignancy, as well as to remove necessary passionate voices of worship and wisdom for the church.
David G. Barker
Cambridge, Ontario
The Waters of Their Exodus p. 80
As I read the story of Juliet Liu Waite’s family, I couldn’t help picturing thousands of refugees escaping dangerous homelands in search of a better life for their families. Would that our nation “believed that a merciful God was asking [us] to show mercy to those who needed it” instead of clinging tightly to fear and self-protection. As Scott Bader-Saye writes in Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear, we have replaced the virtue of hospitality with the shadow virtue of suspicion.
Rick Muthiah
Newberg, Oregon
Whatever your stance on refugees, I can’t recommend this testimony from @CTmagazine highly enough.
@bradgriffith33
