• Retreat Center

    The BOOK is Almost Done

    I’m thrilled that my first full-length book is nearly done — “nearly” as in “waiting for the final proof copy.” I wrote it as part of my D.Min. program, and it’s the next-to-last ministry project before finalizing the dissertation. Yea! The book is a true story called “Escape from the Green Mansion: The Extraordinary True Story of Ordinary Church Women Freeing San Francisco’s Brothel Slaves.” From the back matter: In the late 1800s thousands of Chinese women sailed to America’s West Coast. Many of them were enslaved as soon as they stepped off the freighters and were forced into prostitution — the “green mansion.” American prejudice against the immigrant Chinese…

  • Prayer

    Keep a Prayer Journal

    I haven’t successfully kept a prayer journal for a long time. Mind you, I pray and I see miraculous answers to prayer. But I’m not good at recording these answers in any sort of methodical way. And I want to. I ran across an excellent article by Christian writer and speaker Crystal McDowell that talks about prayer journaling and growing closer to God. Below I’ve listed her 7 points; there is much more in the article. Check it out. 1. Begin with prayer for God’s guidance 2. Find a quiet place for reflection and meditation 3. Search for a scripture(s) that correspond with your prayer request and write it out…

  • Retreat Center

    A Brilliant Take on Revelation

    “The Man Comes Around” By Johnny Cash And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder: One of the four beasts saying: “Come and see.” And I saw. And behold, a white horse. There’s a man goin’ ’round takin’ names. An’ he decides who to free and who to blame. Everybody won’t be treated all the same. There’ll be a golden ladder reaching down. When the man comes around. The hairs on your arm will stand up. At the terror in each sip and in each sup. For you partake of that last offered cup, Or disappear into the potter’s ground. When the man comes around. Hear the trumpets,…