By Emi Iwanaga
By Emi Iwanaga
Poised and still, they whisper an invitation.
As they colorfully and aromatically proclaim their Maker
Time, soil, sun and water yielding to His work in silence.
Unseen, unnoticed until their beauty blossomed. Magnificent. Continue Reading »
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Photo by Michael Kanstrup
By Sharon Lee Song
In their book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons found, based on their poll results, that non-Christians think that Christians are judgmental, hypocritical, homophobic, too political, insensitive, and boring. Continue Reading »
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Photo by Glen Bledsoe
For mom, it must not have felt like she was giving enough until it hurt a little.
She would dip into the storehouse and always come up with a heaping scoop, leaving me to wonder what sort of glaring hollow was left behind its closed doors. But no matter – that seemed to be her measuring stick for good giving. Continue Reading »
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Photo by Marco Verch Professional Photographer
By Jerrica KF Ching
Within the definition of liberality, the key point that stood out to me is the giving of something for the benefit of others, in appropriate amounts so that we are not hoarding, but also so that we are emptying ourselves. For many of us here at AAWOL, as well as our readers, we find fulfillment in serving others. But what happens when we give so much of ourselves, that we soon burn out and begin running on fumes? Continue Reading »
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Photo by Marco Verch
By Emi Iwanaga
(Poem based on Luke 23:1-7)
He stands before Pilate, hands bound, body covered with wounds.
Surrounded by a crowd, agitated, one by one speaking out against my Teacher.
I observe His eyes search the faces of his accusers. Some seemingly intent on their mission with stony hearts, their eyes never meet His. And there are others, when their eyes meet His, stumble over their words, falter for just a bit or in that moment their voices lower, and yet they continue stating their
accusations.
Continue Reading »
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By April Yamasaki
When I completed my pastoral ministry last fall, our Vietnamese church-within-a-church planned a special farewell service on Thanksgiving Sunday. I had been part of the ministry support team when the church was first planted, part of the visioning for the church to develop in the context of the main congregation where I served as lead pastor. Continue Reading »
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By Diana Gee
Of all of Aristole’s 12 virtues, liberality was one I had to look up to understand. It’s not a word that is used anymore, at least not in the way it originally meant. Perhaps a more familiar term would be generosity, which is practiced faithfully by many followers of Jesus. However there is a component of wisdom in liberality that is not captured by the use of “generosity.” Continue Reading »
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Photo by Milan Čarňanský
By Ajung Sojwal
The word “temperance” for me, connects most strongly to The Temperance Movement in history against alcohol consumption. Being in a place to hear life stories of many parishioners, I am deeply aware of the destruction alcoholism brings into the lives of individuals, families and communities. Continue Reading »
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Photo by Matthias Ripp
By Angela Ryo
Growing up, my mom used to always say, “Everything in moderation!” She became Presbyterian because she loved doing everything “decently and in order.” Although I was raised in a Presbyterian church, our youth group worshiped like Pentecostals. We cared about the movement of the Holy Spirit and sometimes that movement seemed to defy order. Continue Reading »
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By Sarah D. Park
When I meet someone for the first time, I find that I am struck by their collective narrative first before giving their individual narrative a chance. I’ll take in what they’re wearing, how they’re standing, the color of their skin, the range of vocabulary, you name it, and by default, my brain will come to certain categorical conclusions that will help me better navigate how to know this person standing before me. Continue Reading »
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