Category: Features

In 1200-1500 words, tell us about your spiritual hero (besides Jesus) and why that person is so important
to you. What first drew you to your hero? Why do you admire him or her? What have you learned from
your hero? You can write about a Bible character, well-known ministry leader, pastor, family member or
personal friend.

As a staff writer and page composer for special sections at the daily newspaper, I knew we had problems with declining ad revenue.

As I walked through life, I fell off an edge, bounced off a ledge, and as I fell, someone threw me a shovel, and when I hit bottom, I dug a deeper pit.

Living with a disability can present some unique challenges. But as a Christian, I can face them with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

My mother taught me to love the Lord, especially through nature. She taught me to appreciate birds singing in the morning and to be aware of little hummingbirds outside our window.

Once upon a time things were different. People seemed more sensible, yet fashionable. These were levelheaded individuals with good taste.

Who knew that a simple canoe trip to the Boundary Waters would have such a profound impact on my faith for the remainder of my life?

As a teenager, I was confused about my identity. I suffered the intense pain of severe depression. Sometimes I cut myself with a razor blade to alleviate the feelings.

I have always been driven to be the best. In high school, I was an all-star runner and a top student. I craved the approval I got from teachers, coaches, and fellow students.

David was born with special needs and has suffered with epilepsy since he was born. He had his first seizure as an infant in my mother’s arms, just after she’d brought him home from the hospital. During his childhood, David sometimes fell when a seizure came on unexpectedly. Once he fell from a tree into the road. My father ran with all his might and scooped him up before an oncoming car could approach.

We all face losses and sorrows throughout our earthly journey. A loved one dies. A marriage ends. A life-threatening diagnosis is pronounced. A respected spiritual leader fails us. In John 16:33, Jesus promises, “In this world you will have tribulations.”

Death comes to us all, at least the physical death of our sin-cursed bodies. It’s unavoidable. The Bible makes it clear “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27).