Pakistan’s continued access to a lucrative European Union trade preference could be jeopardized if Islamabad fails to demonstrate meaningful progress in protecting human rights, including the rights of religious minorities, the EU ambassador to Pakistan warned.
For a followers of folk religion in Taiwan, who understand religion as transactional with individual spirits, forgiveness of sins may not immediately sound like an answer to the practical fears that emerge during Taiwan's Ghost Month. Yet the gospel can reframe the human problem without ignoring the fear that brought the person to the conversation. Our deepest problem is not that we have failed to satisfy every unseen power. It is that we are sinners before a holy God.
Disciples are made to need one another, and in their interdependence they reveal God's glory. Collaboration with those who follow Christ from other backgrounds is a powerful witness in this regard. By living and ministering well together the lives of those who don't know Jesus will be impacted by a community of spiritually transformed, self-giving people who demonstrate a love that is not of this world.
After a grueling travel journey we can get to our destination and not actually feel welcome. So it can be with arriving at a church. A sign can welcome people to a building but only people can welcome people into a community. Jesus was extraordinary at making people feel welcome.
The controlled use of fire helped develop our humanity. Gathering around fires for warmth and storytelling, singing, teaching, and spiritual rituals became a metaphor for inspiration, spirit, and knowledge. Fire extended human activity into the night with profound implications for learning, productivity and culture. It is worthy of awe.
