Brief Bio

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Quezon City, Metro-Manila, Philippines
I am a runner, pastor, sociologist, teacher, and missionary. After living in Chicago for 6 years, I discerned a call to go to Manila, Philippines to live and work among the urban poor, and combine my passions for ministry, running, and the oppressed. After serving in the Philippines in 2012 and 2013, I returned to the United States for two years to finish my dissertation, get ordained, spend time with my family, and work at a neighborhood center in Kansas City. Since then, I have been working in the Philippines with Companion With the Poor as a missionary. Each day I look forward to how God will direct my steps as I live into His work of restoring a broken world.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Living Letters: Called to be 'letters' of Christ

Amidst being 'over my head' in my dissertation, I wanted to share this as an encouragement to everyone who may not have the gift or time to write a book, let alone a simple article or paper. Remember that our actions and thoughts and words form a story and that 'every day is a blank page waiting to be written.'

This comes from a devotional in Daily Bread by Dennis Fisher, was read by dad at our last family Thanksgiving celebration, and marks my 101st blog post here at Exchanging Hope!

Be encouraged this day!

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Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-11

“Clearly you are an epistle of Christ…written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God.” – 2 Corinthians 3:3

In November 1963, the same day that President John F. Kennedy was shot, another leader died – Clive Staples Lewis. This Oxford scholar, who had converted from atheism to Christianity, was a prolific writer. Intellectual books, science fiction, children’s fantasies, and other works flowed from his pen with a strong Christian message. His books have been used by God in the conversion of many, including a politician and a Nobel Prize-winning scientist.

Some are called to tell others about Christ through their writing, but all believers are called to be “epistles,” or letters of Christ, in the way we live. The apostle Paul tells us, “Clearly you are an epistle of Christ…written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God.” (2 Cor. 3:3)

Certainly Paul does not mean we are actually pieces of paper upon which God’s message has been written. But as living “letters” we can illustrate how Jesus Christ makes a difference in how we treat others and strive to live with integrity.

Few will have the influence that C.S. Lewis did, but we are all called to bring glory to the One who loves us and has redeemed us!

Dear Lord, You have called me to be a witness for You wherever You have placed me. Every day my life is on display. Help me to live in such a way that others will want to know You and the abundant life You offer.

We are Christ’s “letters of recommendation” to all who read our lives.

"Living Letters"
By Dennis Fisher
From Our Daily Bread
23 Nov 2013


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Encouraged. Thanks Paul.