Mark Howard was a youth pastor for five years before joining Elam Ministries, an organization that seeks to strengthen and expand the church in Iran and surrounding areas. Through Elam, he’s had the opportunity to work with Iranian youth as well as talk with American churches about God’s work in Iran. Mark has his M.A. in Theological Studies from Wheaton College Graduate School and serves on Rooted’s steering committee.
We don’t normally experience God as a pillar of fire, a cloud overshadowing a mountain, a voice from the heavens like thunder, or anything so spectacular as that. Most of the time, the faithfulness of God is more like oatmeal – easily forgettable, but utterly essential for life.
The more I think about it, the more my Christian experience seems out of touch with the biblical narrative of hardship.
There’s a poem that I regularly come back to when I’m anxious, worried, overwhelmed, and feeling particularly powerless (something that happens to me more than I’d like to admit). It’s called “X” by Wendell Berry: Whatever is foreseen…
How can a good God allow evil and suffering? It’s definitely a top question people ask. Outside of the philosophy classroom or debate stage, however, the question gets phrased in far more personal terms. Particularly in the teenage…
Confession: I’m a dork. I’m pushing 40, and I still love young adult fiction. I have an entire bookcase in my house devoted solely to young adult books (which isn’t so weird now that my daughter is also…
We are thrilled to share that our Christmas Devotional for Teenagers is now available for preorder! Purchase your copy of Longing for Christmas today at New Growth Press or wherever you buy books. Don’t miss the opportunity to…
