Author Archives: pastorsteverichards

Last week, we (Amanda and me) spent a day hiking in Bandelier National Monument. We spent our day in one valley, and at one point hiked a mile to the top of the ridge. The ancestral Pueblo people arrived in … Continue reading →

It was 30 years ago this month that Bruce Springsteen released his song, Born in the USA. At that time, I was living in Duluth, serving two struggling churches in two struggling neighborhoods. This was before Duluth had discovered the … Continue reading →

This morning (Wednesday), I gave a Bible to a young man and together we read from Philippians 4. I don’t know when I’ve seen such a big smile on someone’s face or heard such gratitude. On July 1-2, Amanda and … Continue reading →

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3:10) Before I made my first trip to Kenya in 2009, someone who had already made the trip recommended that I spend part of each day listening. Just take time apart from … Continue reading →

Today (Friday, June 27) a prayer was answered. Each time that we have been at Light of Hope, we have had the privilege of participating in the rescue of girls from a place of hopelessness and bringing them to Light … Continue reading →

It is important to have a dream. In fact, I think God-sized dreams are best – the kind of dream that on our own we could never fully accomplish, the kind of dream that can only be fulfilled when we … Continue reading →

I don’t know its source, but there is a saying: Live simply so that others may simply live. It is a catchy turn of words, but with all respect to the sentiment intended, it is not as simple as that, … Continue reading →

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of every human life. (Job 12:10) These words follow a declaration by Job that even the animals know that God is the Creator and never lets go of … Continue reading →

On Monday, we visited a project that Messiah funded through our 2012 Christmas offering. I will admit that I take water for granted. I assume there is more than enough water and every bit of it clean enough to drink. … Continue reading →

It’s complicated. Step back and contemplate the religious scene in America, and it is not uncomplicated. But here in Kenya, it is different. Part of what I was hoping as a result of an extended time in this country was … Continue reading →