Word Made Flesh is a contemplative community. One of the ways that we contemplate what God is doing in the world and in our lives is through the reflection articles that we write. We invite you to read, learn, and celebrate with us.
Serving in Romania: Learning the Heart of God Among Vulnerable Children by Timothy Fehn
Serving in Sierra Leone: Lessons on Faith, Poverty, and Generosity by Kristin Bacher
Fifteen years ago, I was preparing to leave for Sierra Leone for a four-month internship with Word Made Flesh. Many different experiences and interests brought me to that point, but looking back now, I can honestly say it was one of the most impactful and life-altering decisions I have ever made. That decision to go…
Created for Good Works: A Story of Calling, Sacrifice, and Following Jesus
Created for Good Works: A Story of Calling, Sacrifice, and Following Jesus by Jennifer Ney What ideas come to mind when you think of good works? For much of my life, I assumed good works were simply good actions—tangible things we do to help others or to make the world a better place. And those…
Stepping Into Pain: What Sierra Leone Taught Me About the True Meaning of Compassion
Embodying Compassion When you hear the word compassion, what comes to mind? For me, it brings back memories of my first short-term medical mission to China. As a dental hygienist and new Christian, I joined a team that embodied compassion in every interaction. They didn’t just provide medical care—they entered into the lives of the…
Jesus Wept by Rachel Dyachenko
Jesus Wept By Rachel Dyachenko I have a friend and colleague who once pointed out to me the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35, “Jesus wept.”(KJV) The context is Jesus as he learns of his friend Lazarus’ death. A short, powerful statement that calls for a dramatic pause and a deep breath. Our…
The Cry for Submission: Letter from the Editor by Emily Fales
Submission is a word that provokes significant discomfort for me. When I first saw that this was one of our lifestyle celebrations, my first instinct was to reject it. I think that is because there is a problem with our definition of submission. My mind is filled with instances of justified injustice under the noble…
A Conversation with Howard Snyder about His New Book: Francis of Assisi – A Movement Maker
Francis of Assisi, Movement Maker: The Unconventional Leadership of a Simple Saint by Howard Snyder Dr. Howard Snyder is a missionary, author, and professor specializing in the history and theology of mission. He serves as an International Representative for the Manchester Wesley Research Centre and is a valued member of the Word Made Flesh Advisory…
What Do We Mean By Mission? by Ariel Alexander and David Chronic
Word Made Flesh “Position Papers” do not necessarily represent the opinions of the entire WMF community, but seek to articulate alternative positions on issues of mission and spirituality. The starting points for these papers are the WMF identity statements and WMF’s commitment to living out these principles in daily life and ministry. What Do We…
Called to be Submissive by Samuel Ibrahim Samura
Called to be Submissive by Samuel Ibrahim Samura I was born into a family where both my parents and other family members are Muslim, and our culture demands that you grow up following their footprints. My name was not Samuel Ibrahim Samura, but Ibrahim Sorie Samura. “Samuel” was a name given to me after baptism because…
Turning Pages A Journey of Submission in Arizona by Mario and Lori Ciotola
Turning Pages A Journey of Submission in Arizona by Mario and Lori Ciotola “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship!” (Rom. 12:1) As Lori and I embarked on a journey from…
The Submission to Give by Ken Dean
The Submission to Give by Ken Dean Generous giving of ourselves replicates the life of Jesus. On a recent trip to the Navajo Nation with a group of college students, we discussed the idea of giving ourselves. We identified the contrast between giving out of our excess, with giving when it hurts. At a high…