faithfusion

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Tales of Love and Service

Tales of Love and Service

Today we’d like to share a podcast interview with one of Faith Fusions’ long time contributors, John W. Gehring. He has recently taken his writing to a new level with the release of his book, Tales of Love and Service: Stories from the heart. John has worked in service, education, and sports programs in more than 60 countries for 20 years. His stories explore the lives and challenges of people in…

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The World is Our Home

The World is Our Home

“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.”Thomas Paine Now more than ever, we need to recognise the interconnectedness of humanity and work toward sustainable solutions to our common problems. Beyond race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, philosophy or political beliefs, we are just people striving to live the best way we can. It is in our…

[faithfusion]

Global Crisis: Moving Forward or Backward is Your Choice

Global Crisis: Moving Forward or Backward is Your Choice

I had an interesting conversation with a friend today, over the phone because we can’t meet in person. She was a bit discouraged due to the COVID global crisis and current lockdown we are experiencing. We are unable to travel beyond our local area, unable to see friends or go shopping for anything beyond the basics, and her work has been severely reduced. Until recently we’ve been fairly safe and…

[faithfusion]

Earth Year 2018

Sunday April 22, 2018 – Earth Day, my favorite day of the year! People everywhere will be doing stuff to clean up the environment, conserve, recycle or just plant for new growth.  I love it!

Too Much Plastic

This year I’ve been thinking about Earth Day for awhile, or really I’ve been trying to make this year an Earth Year (at least at my house). I just got sick of all those plastic grocery bags.…

[faithfusion]

What Would You Do if it was Your Sister?

What Would You Do if it was Your Sister?

Imagine you’re a young boy, perhaps a preteen or teen. Your sister asks your parents if she can go to the mall with a friend. You think nothing of it, because that’s what girls do—all the time. You go back to your video game.

Your parent’s drop her off at her friend’s house with strict instructions about communicating and getting home safely. The usual parent routine. You and your sister know…

[faithfusion]

Anticipating Spring

“I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter’s tough, but spring’s coming. I believe that there’s a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better.” – Steve Southerland

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.” – Sarah…

[faithfusion]

St. Valentine’s Hope for Love

St. Valentine’s Hope for Love

This week, everyone’s thoughts turn to love. Whether it be a ten year old trading Sweethearts candy, a serious suitor, or a married couple reminding each other that love still burns brightly, we are all drawn to Valentine’s Day.

Lasting Love

But romantics aside, what can assure us of lasting love? After all, no-one wants to discover that love has left.

Creating lasting love starts with being…

[faithfusion]

Peace Club Creating Champions for Peace in the Middle East

⚽ In less than 15 days ⚽

Beginning February 21st, fourteen coaches will gather in Aqaba, Jordan for 5 days to immerse themselves in Peace Club’s Champions in Life educational program. It is a “train the trainer” workshop. These are carefully selected football coaches from 14 of the 22 Arab countries, representing Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,…

[faithfusion]

Love is Our True Destiny

“We are born of love; Love is our mother.” – Rumi

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

‘There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” – George Sand

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Love…

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The Best Day of the Year

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.'” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your…

[faithfusion]

Revisiting Bethlehem to Find God's Heart in History

Revisiting Bethlehem to Find God’s Heart in History

Fourteen years ago the “Holiday Season” took on a new meaning for me. I visited Bethlehem just before Christmas in 2003 to participate in a Global Peace rally called, “Heart to Heart for Peace in the Middle East”. Ever since then I’ve thought differently about Jesus’ birth, life and death.

The passing on of cultural traditions has a way of sugar coating reality, and I’m not placing judgment on…

[faithfusion]

Oh Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born Oh night divine Oh night divine

Led by the…

[faithfusion]

You Get Back What You Give

Today is “Giving Tuesday” and everyone is fundraising! It’s a day that makes some people feel uncomfortable, and inspires others to be generous. Kind of like the Salvation Army Santa’s standing in front of every store. I feel a little guilty if I don’t toss some change in the bucket, but sometimes I literally don’t have any spare change.

Giving is Like Gratitude

Being able to give, even a little,…

[faithfusion]

Grateful People Create God's Dwelling Place

Grateful People Create God’s Dwelling Place

Each year in November we are reminded to be grateful for the life and liberty we have through the celebration of Thanksgiving. We are reminded of the sacrifices of our ancestors, and of the noble history of our nation. Who isn’t grateful for a chance to get together with family and friends to share a big meal and good times?

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest…

[faithfusion]

Going Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Going Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Some people might ask, “Why would I want to go beyond my comfort zone?” Isn’t comfort the destination? Or at least it makes the journey better. Isn’t comfort part of happiness, and isn’t happiness the purpose of life?

It seems that we have a natural desire to seek comfort. No one wants to make themselves miserable. We don’t go out seeking scratchy ill-fitting clothes, or shoes that are too small.…

[faithfusion]

How Not to Grow Old

How Not to Grow Old

No-one wants to grow old. Sure, we long for wisdom, but none of the 20 or 30 somethings I work with ever say, “I wish I was 60 or 70!” Apart from physically ailing, I think the real threat of aging is the dread of becoming a kill-joy wrapped in misery!

It’s not that growing older is so terrible; It’s just that we allow a lifetime of problems and concepts to pile up and strangle us. I was…

[faithfusion]

Happy Diwali for New and Old Friends

Happy Diwali for New and Old Friends

Last week I was invited to celebrate Diwali with a friend. I’ve always had an interest in Indian culture and traditions so this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year, usually somewhere between mid-October to mid-November.

One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, it signifies the victory of good over evil, light over darkness,…