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Truthfulness: An Invisible Shield

October 15, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by Cynthia I. Rogers

By Emi Iwanaga

“I myself am the road,” replied Jesus,
“and the truth and the life.
John 14:6 (Phillips)

I have no greater joy than to hear
that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 (NIV)

Truthfulness — An Invisible Shield

As if it were a bubble

A bubble in which I am living

A protection

An influence

The world seen through it

Interaction flavored by it

A privilege

A joy

God extends it to me

Envelops me with it

A strength

A shield

His character yesterday, today, and forever

His teaching permeating the soul

A rock

On which I stand

His truthfulness

Emi Iwanaga served thirteen years as a missionary in Amazon Valley in Brazil, over 20+ years as a children’s ministry director, women’s ministry director, and pastor’s wife, and is currently a spiritual director.

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Truthfulness: Learning to be Transparent to Myself

October 9, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by Sodanie Chea

By Ajung Sojwal

The phrase “truth decay” is being used a lot these days, especially on NPR. When I first heard the phrase, it stopped me in my tracks. How did we manage to come to this place where the word decay is used so frequently to qualify truth? Continue Reading »

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Truthfulness: In Regard to Emotions

October 1, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by Vinoth Chandar

By Angela Ryo

I’ve developed a wonderful habit in the last several months: when someone asks me how I’m doing, and I can feel the genuineness of the question, I pause and dig deep inside myself to give an honest reply. Often times I say, “Hmmm how AM I doing? Let me see. Can you hold on a sec?” I love these moments because it gives me an excuse to pause and check where I am and how I’m really feeling. Continue Reading »

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Friendliness: An Argument Against

September 24, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by
Gauthier DELECROIX – 郭天

By Sarah D. Park

On an unconscious level, I think that I’ve made it a personal challenge to never be described as friendly. The sound of the word bothers me. The connotation of the word bothers me. “Friendly” is the word I use to describe someone when I don’t have anything better to say. A generic pass that someone is easy to talk to, accessible, deferential. Continue Reading »

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Friendliness: Between Pastors and Congregants

September 17, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by Dave Linschied

By Diana Kim

When I was a school teacher, I developed a mantra that I carried over into my ministry when I served as a children’s pastor: You can be friendly to your students but you cannot be their friend. When you are a child’s friend, the child may not recognize you as an authority figure and will not listen to you when it is time to do so; this affects the teaching and potential discipline. Continue Reading »

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Friendliness: A Better and Truer Friend

September 10, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by Beckaroonie

By Wendy Choy-Chan

Dear friend,

I am sorry that we seem to have drifted apart lately. Maybe you are thinking that I have changed — I am no longer always agreeing, always approving, always complying. But it is only because I want to be your truer and better friend. Continue Reading »

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Friendliness: A Doorway to Grace

September 4, 2019 by aawolsisters

Photo by Adam Foster

By Tina Teng-Henson

Not gonna lie
Working and mothering
Make me a little less friendly
Than usual Continue Reading »

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