Kyria

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When Your Loved One Doesn't Come to Christ

My husband asked me recently if I've ever been angry with God. It only took me a few seconds to answer, "Yes—when my dad died." His question flooded my emotions with the same anger I felt years ago that I still have to work through occasionally.

When I became a Christian as a teenager, the person who led me to Christ told me to pray for my parents, since they didn't know God. I threw myself passionately ...

Swimming in the "Lost Pool"

God dumped me. Not that I didn't deserve it; I did. I hadn't kept my end of the deal: I made excuses, let others tackle the problem, and avoided the situation altogether. So God had no choice. He dumped me into the deep end of the "Lost Pool" and my life hasn't been the same since.

A good Christian Southern girl from birth, I lived in the Bible belt and in the church building. If there were lost souls ...

Once Upon a Time ...

When we're small, we see the world through story.

            Story fuels our childhood games of make-believe and let's pretend. Story fills our head and heart whenever clever adults spin imaginary tales at bedtime. After all, little ones don't say, "Tell me a fact." They say, "Tell me a story."

When I was eight, I discovered a story that shaped my young life—and has continued to do so for decades. ...

Related Topics: Evangelism, Sharing Faith, Sharing Your Story

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'My Name Is Snake'

"My name is Snake," the young man growled when I called him into my office. His appearance certainly did justice to the nickname. He had a mass of black hair hanging to his shoulders, metal studs in his eyebrows, and rattlesnake tattoos slithering up his forearms. He was wearing ripped jeans and chunky motorcycle boots, and on his black T-shirt was a grisly skull with rattlers poised to strike from ...

Related Topics: Acceptance, Judging others, unconditional love

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The Girl with the Naturally Curly Hair

"My name's Sally, and my hair is naturally curly," the little blond-haired girl told me, as she bounced her curls with the palm of her hand.

"Well, they certainly are pretty," I replied. "I'm your teacher, Mrs. Kirby, and I'm glad to meet you."

As I reached to shake Sally's hand, I marveled at the confidence this little fourth grader displayed on her first day at a new school. The two adults with her ...

Related Topics: Holy Spirit, leading, Prayer, Purpose

Surviving China

Monks hummed in perfect unison. Gongs echoed throughout the still air. Golden Buddha statues adorned the walls. Intoxicating incense mixed with thick humidity hung heavily in the air.

This was Leslie Nease's newfound reality. She was a contestant on season 15 of Survivor: China.

A fan since the show's beginning, Nease admits, "I felt called to be on the show, but, at first, it didn't make sense. Why ...

Related Topics: Choices, Example, God's Call, Good and Evil, Idolatry

A Purpose-Driving Life

Years ago someone asked me what I wanted on my tombstone. I replied, rather flippantly, "She drove girls."

At the time I had a 1989 red Ford Tempo with 189,000 miles on it, of which I was sure 188,000 of those miles had been used to drive girls—to the mall and volleyball practice. To softball games and the mall. To the mall and church youth group. To the beach. To Taco Bell. To school. To the ...

Related Topics: Evangelism, lifestyle, parenting, Teenagers

E-vangelism and a Guy Named Jim

I balked recently when someone said, "You've got quite a ministry online." I've never considered what I do a ministry. Ministries provide healthcare in developing countries and feed and shelter the homeless. Chatting on the internet hardly seems in the same league. And yet whenever I go online, I try to share the hope that's within me.

I've now been online for more than two decades—longer than ...

Related Topics: Evangelism, Internet, Witnessing Tools

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Open Circle

The sound of their laughter carried across the crowded lobby one Sunday morning after church, as one of the women in the group momentarily glanced in my direction. I read her glance and smile as an invitation to join them.

"How are you all this morn—"

Another wave of laughter rippled around the group, swallowing the rest of my greeting. I tried gently inject-ing myself into the conversation, but ...

Related Topics: Church involvement, Cliques, Friends, Friendship, Lessons Learned

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Finding God in Iraq

Four months ago, I arrived in the land of desert sheikhs, Aladdin's lamp, and Ali Baba. A land where the desert sands hold the history of its ancient people. The cradle of civilization. The birthplace of Abraham. The land where Nebuchadnezzar held Israel captive. I was in Iraq. My mission: to embed with U.S. military chaplains and tell their stories.

This was the type of assignment most journalists ...