Posts by Forrest McPhail
Limited in Strength? Learn from the Angels
The elderly prophet Daniel confessed to the angel before him that he was utterly spent. He had no strength to receive the vision the angel came to give him in answer to his prayers. He was in pain, overwhelmed, maybe very troubled in his spirit. And he was strengthened. We read of this account in Daniel…
Read MoreGlobe-trekkers and the Elusiveness of Peace and Contentment
One year off for vacation? Really? Yes. The young couple next to me on the van taxi from Cambodia’s capital to our provincial city was on a one-year vacation. They had already been all over South America and were now touring through Asia. We have met quite a few Europeans vacationing in Cambodia (Tourism continues…
Read MoreHow Dedicated to Jesus Christ Am I, Really?
What images come to your mind when you hear or see the word “dedication?” What people immediately come to mind? Athletes? Military special forces? Perhaps godly parents. Certain missionaries past or present might be in your mind’s eye. Why did these people come to mind? What is it about them that describes them as dedicated?…
Read MoreThe Powerful & Permanent Tool of Language
From Creation until the Tower of Babel incident recorded in Genesis 11 (around 2200 B.C.), mankind had one language and culture. When God confused mankind’s language, it meant that He created the beginnings of the major language families. Some studies list 14 major language families.1 Others identify between 75 and 150 language families as the…
Read MoreChristians Who Feel They Don’t Need Church Anymore
I have met Christians that conclude that they don’t need the local church anymore. They might watch services online, listen to sermon podcasts, or read Christian books, and/or worship alone or as a family, but when it comes to being a part of local church life, they avoid it. You might be one of these.…
Read MoreSending You Good Vibes
Social media can provide serious insight into people’s lives. Obviously, social media has a very selective approach to communication, as we post only what we want others to see, but even with all its limitations, social media still provides a window into the soul of its users. Those of us who post on social media…
Read MoreLove Me, Love My Food
As a cross-cultural missionary, I have travelled to a lot of churches. I am usually there to present our burden to take part in what God is doing in a place far less-reached with the Gospel, as well as reporting on past and present ministry there. Churches often ask us to stand in the foyer…
Read MoreServant Leadership: The Humble Reality of Genuine Christian Leadership
Christian leaders must lead in a Christian way, Christ’s way. That means humble servant leadership. Humility is essential to spiritual leadership that pleases Christ. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever…
Read MoreAdvice on Reading Choices
My family reads a lot. We try hard to limit time in front of the screen and take care about what we watch. We strive to find and keep books that are truly good books, those that are well-written, wholesome, encouraging Christlikeness, and reinforcing teaching from God’s Word. We love to read books that friends…
Read MoreI Love My Unbelieving Wife: How Can I Help Her Believe?
It is no easy thing to be the first believer in a household. Though less common, sometimes a man comes to Christ before his wife. When he does, he obviously will do all he can to encourage his wife to come to Christ as well. In this earnestness to see his wife follow Christ, he…
Read More