ODJ: like new
When our washing machine malfunctioned it spewed water through a heating vent and into our basement—drenching wallboard and carpeting. To prevent mould, we had to hire a company that set up special fans inside our house. The company’s motto read: “We will make it like new.”David wanted his spiritual life to become “like new” after committing adultery with Bathsh
ODB: Where Can We Lean?
“What a wonderful funeral!” Cindy remarked as we walked out. Helen, our friend, had died. And friend after friend celebrated her by sharing stories of her all-around fun behavior. But Helen’s life wasn’t all jokes and laughter. Her nephew spoke of her faith in Jesus and her care for others. She had taken him into her home when he was young and struggling. Now in his twenties, he said of hi
ODJ: reaching the margins
In Mumbai, India, a boy named Lakhan lives with his elderly grandmother, Sakubai. Lakhan has cerebral palsy and is deaf. With no home or family to help care for him and Sakubai, they slept on the pavement behind a small bus stop. A published photo shows 9 year old Lakhan tied to a pole—the only way his grandmother could ensure his safety when she went out to search for work. Sakubai explaine
ODB: Tell Your Story
Michael Dinsmore, a former prisoner and relatively new Christian, was asked to give his testimony in a prison. After he spoke, some inmates came to him and said, “This is the most exciting meeting we’ve ever been to!” Michael was amazed that God could use his simple story.In 1 Timothy, after Paul had charged Timothy to stay the course preaching the gospel (1:1-11), he shared his personal tes
ODJ: speaking well
In May 2014, 8 year old Abby Porter was in a car being driven by her mother when her mum suffered a medical emergency. Abby immediately grabbed the wheel and was able to control the vehicle until a police officer helped stop the car safely. After the event, the officer related how he told Abby to put the automatic car in PARK, to which she responded, “I don’t know how!”Wha
ODB: No Need Is Too Trivial
Several mothers of small children were sharing encouraging answers to prayer. Yet one woman said she felt selfish about troubling God with her personal needs. “Compared with the huge global needs God faces,” she explained, “my circumstances must seem trivial to Him.”Moments later, her little son pinched his fingers in a door and ran screaming to his mother. She didn’t say, “How selfish
ODJ: if our hearts . . .
As I stood deep in the bush of rural Uganda watching a rig I’d contracted to drill a well for 700 impoverished villagers, an elderly man approached me. He grasped my hands and in broken English said, “If you could open my heart and view inside, you would see happiness on top of happiness on top of happiness for this water God has provided.”Though I couldn’t see within the
ODB: Remind The People
In a typical week, many of us receive a number of emails reminding us of appointments or upcoming events or requests to pray for someone. All of them are needed reminders.When Paul wrote his “papyrus mail” to Titus, he ended his note by saying, “Remind the believers . . .” (3:1 nlt). We can assume from Paul’s word choice that he had already written about these
ODJ: divine adoption
Adopting two boys from Russia opened Russell Moore’s eyes to the privilege of being a child of God. People would ask, “Are they really brothers?” “Have you met their real mum?” Moore simply replied, “Of course they’re brothers. They’re both in our family. And their real mum is my wife.”Moore’s experience with his sons mirrors h