Articles

Jihad. It's a Loaded word, full of negative connotations and—to most of us—pretty scary.

"OPEN HIS EYES" In regard to overcoming fear, I have thought a lot about the story of the prophet Elisha and how he faced the army that surrounded him in Dothan (see II Kings 6:8-23). One morning Elisha's servant woke up and saw that they were surrounded by a hostile Syrian army, come to capture Elisha.

How ironic that the very purpose of religion—to instill in humanity a bond with God and a way to practice in life this godliness—should so often be distorted, becoming a source for strife and warfare instead. History is replete with examples of conflict in the name of religion, for example, the Crusades, Wars of Religion in the late Middle Ages, or the more recent conflict in Northern Ireland.

Tensions among the followers of the three major monotheistic religions are front and center in the news headlines. But history shows that these tensions are nothing new—Christians, Jews, and Muslims have been battling one another for centuries.

Dear Professor Medlin, Thank you for your e-mail and also thanks for remembering our unforgettable trip during my sabbatical leave at the University of New Mexico. I had a great time traveling with you and listening to your words of wisdom.

EARLY ONE FALL DAY EIGHT YEARS AGO, Freidoon (an Iranian friend visiting us from Australia) and I left Albuquerque, New Mexico, headed for the Bay Area in Northern California where we both had plans to visit relatives and attend meetings. We took turns at the steering wheel every two to three hours as we drove westward across New Mexico and Arizona.

CHRIST JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES a succinct and powerful prayer, known universally as the Lord's Prayer. One line in this prayer says, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" ( Matt.

ASCENSION TOWARD HEAVEN is not a one-time happening. Each footstep on our spiritual journey moves us forward, Spiritward.

Contributing Editor Elaine Follis, Ph. D.

IT WAS LATE SEPTEMBER, the first day of autumn. The lush leaves on the maples had not yet begun to turn.