Gwynne Johnson's blog

Last evening we enjoyed dinner with a group of former young marrieds from a class convened in the early 1980s. In those days one key aim for the class was the development among the couples of authentic and lasting friendships.  The evening provided a glimpse into God's blessing of that intention and the value of it. 

This week many of us  followed the story of the little boy and the runaway balloon.   A friend watching the news sent a email requesting prayer for his safety. Millions watched the homemade device in flght, held their breath, hoped and prayed for the six year old's safety.  We cheered when he was found safe and sound.  Then, all but diehard cynics became confused and disappointed as differing accounts of the adventure begin to point to a planned publicity stunt designed to secure national fame and fortune.

How often do we fully appreciate and utilize the “Imago Dei” of our fellow classmates in what used to be universally called Sunday School but now operates under a number of new attritions.  So often that hour passes and places the entire learning burden on the teacher.  Individual members assume little responsibility and the class misses insights from each person’s unique story.

The day was clear, crisp and sunny, the sky brilliant blue and the cog train slow and steady as we climbed to over14, 000 feet, passing the tree line, and alighted on the Pikes Peak summit.  Several others who make the trip frequently commented on the unusual visibility that day.

Do you ever feel helpless when considering the extreme poverty present in our global community?  Do the eyes of hungry children from devastated regions haunt you as you tuck your healthy little ones into bed?  This past week I was challenged to think more deeply about the extreme poverty experienced by children and families in many distressed parts of the world.

Over a Starbucks last week a friend and I were lamenting American politics today, how it consumes more and more of our national attention and media. Sadly these discussions divide not only the country but believers as well.  No matter your personal bent or your personal loyalties, I think you would agree with me that we too often end up with more far more “heat than light.

This past weekend my husband and I joined two other couples for a weekend away.  We live in different cities now,  but became friends a number of years ago when we all lived in Wheaton, Illinois.  Our assignment for the weekend was to read Unchristian by David Kinnaman and be prepared to discuss the book during the weekend.

Kinnaman’s conclusions based on extensive research reveal how younger generations tend to perceive christians as judgmental, unloving and too involved in politics.  These younger generations believe christians are hypocritical and inauthentic.

Most of us learned of Governor Sanford’s personal failure this week with a deep sense of sorrow, both for his family and for once again seeing the cause of Christ ridiculed as one of our own succumbed to temptation.  Yet, I trust that we were also warned in our spirit of similar temptation and dangers that confront us as well.

In April I had the privilege of hearing veteran missionary, Dr. Helen Roseveare, speak at a staff conference for field missionaries of Entrust, International, in Hungary. Today I finished her book, He Gave Us a Valley.  In it, Helen describes her twenty years of ministry in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.