By Zina Saunders, The WSJ

A few days ago, The Wall Street Journal published a jaw dropping interview with Mosab Hamas Yousef, the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef – a founder and leader of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

Mosab is debuting his book “Son of Hamas” this week.  He is stepping onto the world stage — by professing he became a Christian, while spying for Israel’s counter intelligence agency, Shin Bet.

Mosab was

- born into a Muslim, terrorist family,
- converted to Christianinty,
- spied on the Palestinians,
- for the Jewish nation…

How’s that for a big reveal?

When God Is Silent

When I first started working out of college, my first boss was an Israeli.  This was back in the day, when I was seriously clueless read more…

Although God isn’t the source of trouble, following after Christ requires we walk through some troubled times.

Does God intentionally throw trouble on us to make us stronger — or does God work in our lives in spite of them?

I apparently touched on a controversial question when I wrote “Anyone Seen My Blueprints?“.  It triggered some pretty awesome conversation in the comments.

One blogger’s response especially caught my eye.

“While I agree completely with the thought that God would not bring affliction to us, I think he does ask us to make difficult choices and to pass through hard times as a result of them. read more…

A lot of people are getting psyched about the weekend — it’s time for the annual Oscars Awards Ceremony !

Tinseltown’s buzzing with their Who’s Who List, hoping to get some applause and credit.  It’s guaranteed, many will be down in the dumps by the end of the night.

I’m not just talking about the people who’ll be driving home without a golden statue.

Since the 1990’s, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences started a tradition of airing a montage of actors who’ve passed away the previous year — as a “Memoriam” to their life and contribution to the art of film.

“It is the single most troubling element of the Oscar show every year,” says Bruce Davis, executive director of the Academy. “Because more people die each year than can possibly be included in that segment.”  read more…

Is it possible to see God’s blueprints for us?  How does trouble fit into those plans?

Years ago, I had a chance to manage a project to build a computer lab for the engineers at our company.

I was an engineering program manager and knew zilch about building a standing structure – I still need reminding whether to turn left or right to loosen a screw — but, the higher ups thought I could get a team from point A to B decently.

So, one day, I walked out of my boss’ office, with marching orders to meet with the lead architect and contractor to talk shop.  I returned to my desk, struck with fear, and took my quarters to the vending machine for some chocolate relief.  read more…

Becoming real is something we can experience… if we dare.

“Why are there dots?” TJ asked, with his nose scrunched and voice pitched whiny.

“What are you talking about?” I  walked over, gulping my bite of banana.  “All food has dots.  Dots are normal.  Just eat it.”

By afternoon, my four year old son has splattered Legos and thrown books on their backs to construct a pain-inducing, slippery land mine.  That’s when I plop on the floor and wave the white flag.  Snack time.

Instead of eating, I meet resistance. read more…

A few weeks have passed since the New Orlean Saints won the 2010 Super Bowl championship title, but I’m still thinking about Drew Brees.

No, I’m not daydreaming about a married man.  I’m just mulling over what Drew Brees said about his faith in Christ, in an interview he gave to online Christian website, Tangle.

I’m an annual football fan, which means I tune in every year to watch the Super Bowl game. In fast-forward motion.  On Tivo.

When I see the scoreboard change, I stop the recording, to back it up and watch how the points got scored.

I was crunching on my microwave popcorn during a slow-mo replay, when something the sports announcer said caught my attention.  read more…

“Many things I have tried to grasp, and have lost.  That which I have placed in God’s hands, I still have.”
~ Martin Luther

The idea of fasting has often appealed to the part of my Type B personality that leans a little towards Type A.

Fasting sounds like a sure fire way to get God’s attention, doesn’t it?

I figure if I deprive myself of food or chocolate (oh, no!), God will really know I’m serious about something.

The thing is, fasting something the body craves to eat pales in comparison to fasting a dream or a desire.

Yes, sometimes, that is exactly what God has called us to do — fast a dream.  read more…

“It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates” — Amy Carmichael

Do you remember the last time you felt butterflies in your stomach?

With all this talk about romance, love, and passion this month, one word stands behind it all:  desire.

Desire as a mysterious hunger is often depicted between two people who want to be with each other.  That is only part of the equation.

By the time desire shows up, it’s already a petal on a bloom.

Desire is the seed, that is planted and grows — before things get physical.

Desire is a heart longing.

The seeds of desire are found inside each of us.  If we are to experience passion in life with others, we have to begin with ourselves. read more…

Chinese New Year "Lai See". A red envelope given for good fortune.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

If you are Chinese, you have probably heard this the umpteenth time this week.  While couples were injesting chocolate candy on Valentine’s Day, Chinese families were wearing red for a different reason.  The lunar calendar turned a new page on February 14 — Happy Chinese New Year!

Actually, the words — Gung Hay Fat Choy! — literally means, “Wish you mega wealth!”

As I kid, I loved getting money in “Lai See” (translated “fortune favor”).  Chinese tradition claims that grown-ups who give away red packets of money will trigger a movement of moola in the new year for themselves and family members.

Eureka! We’d scream and holler with visions of cavity-creating candy, dancing in our heads.  read more…

“Love is of all the passions the strongest…”
~ Voltaire, French philosopher

Were we destined to simply be friends or could there be more?

I couldn’t help it, but first impressions in dating were hard to shake. For better or worse, God knew how important this first date was to me.

I first met him at a church gathering.  He sent me an email.  What started as a trickle began a steady current of daily emails for a month, with each delivery growing longer, delving deeper.

Never has someone written me so many letters. Never had I felt so enamored.

Still, there was the question of chemistry…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To read the rest of the story — head on over to Dayspring’s (in)Courage website, where today’s post is published.

Keep me company at (In)Courage and drop me a comment there! Comments have been turned off here, so we can meet up there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~