by Marie | Sep 2, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
So many people couldn’t understand this. “But how can you forgive them?” “Why would you forgive them?” “How can you even return to this country that took your husband’s life?” Forgiveness seemed to be a very foreign concept to them. They were genuinely astonished and confused. Stephen’s death had a profound impact on these people—and our family’s display of forgiveness is still talked about to this day. We were surprised to discover that there was a rumor circulating that Stephen had recited the Muslim testimony of faith to become a Muslim just before he was shot. My first reaction was disdain, but then I realized that this was how many of Stephen’s dearest Muslim friends were coping with his death. They wanted to think that Stephen had accepted what they believed to be the truth before he died. They could not bear the thought of Stephen going to hell. I was deeply touched. And on many occasions I took the opportunity to set the story straight and explain that to follow Jesus Christ—the only way to God—meant that Stephen never had a doubt that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Preparing to leave after our two-week visit was surreal. It didn’t feel right that we were only visiting—it still felt
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by Marie | Sep 1, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
When God called Emily and Stephen Foreman to bring the hope of the gospel to a Muslim nation where Christianity was illegal, they knew they were being called to a life of sacrifice. “We died before we came here” was their common refrain. Emily was left with four children and an undying calling to reach the Muslim world—even after her husband’s murder. Stephen’s death was not the beginning, nor was it the end. He did not die in vain. Compelled by God’s love for Muslims and inspired by her late husband’s willing sacrifice, Emily and her family continue to work in North Africa and strive to mobilize Christians across North America to see Muslims through a lens of faith. One of the most profound aspects of our return was the deep need our friends had to see us, and to offer their condolences. They were also hurting. Their friend had been brutally murdered, and by men from their own country. Their friend’s children were now fatherless, and his wife had been left a widow. They were battling their own emotions and heartache and longed to be there for us, and I deeply longed to be with them as well. The next morning, I started returning phone calls. Our first stop would be to our dear friends Amir and Jameila. They
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by Marie | Aug 30, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
he’s only 4’11,” but she makes eye contact with everyone she passes. Heads nod politely and smiles are returned. She barely weighs 100 pounds, but she is noticed in a crowd. She is soft-spoken and has the tiniest handwriting I’ve ever seen, but she communicates a powerful message, making a difference to one person at a time. What if every family had an Auntie Alpha? Though never married, she loves more purely than some couples. Though never a mother, she nurtures from a deep well. Though she lives alone, she befriends strangers within minutes. Though in her 90s, she has the optimism of a 20-year old; her childlike excitement leaves no room for crotchety complaints from herself or anyone else. What if every family had an Auntie Alpha? Some years ago, Auntie Alpha visited us for a few weeks. Transplanted from metropolitan New York City to rural Illinois for a month, she won the hearts of our friends, the children in our church, and even the Walmart clerk. When the clerk greeted her with a broad smile exclaiming, “Oh hi! I remember you from last week! Are you still enjoying your visit?” I realized there was something unique about Auntie Alpha. Of all the hundreds of people through his lane, why did she stand out? What did she give the clerk that
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by Marie | Aug 29, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
He was the Richest Man in the Valley. There was no disputing it. Secure and confident, he was escorting his house guests to their expensive cars, when John, his gardener, cap in hand, approached him to give him a message. The man was poor and shabbily dressed and looked embarrassed to be talking to the Richest Man in the Valley. He shuffled from one foot to the other. “Well, out with it, man,” his employer snapped impatiently, his eyes on his departing guests. “Sir,” John stuttered. He was obviously very nervous. “Sir—I know this sounds mighty strange, but I had a dream last night that really upset me. I dreamt that the Richest Man in the Valley would die tonight at midnight! You all right, sir?” he finished lamely, feeling exceptionally stupid. His boss stared at him. John was all right as gardeners go. He worked hard and was honest and trustworthy, but the Richest Man in the Valley was aware that he attended the little evangelical church in the village and was one of those “born-again Christians.” He’d never had much time for religion himself, always felt too much church made you a little weird. John’s words confirmed his suspicions! “You don’t need to worry about me, John,” the Richest Man in the Valley said impatiently and cheerfully, turning on his
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by Marie | Aug 28, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
Greyfriars Kirk (Church) in central Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, dates back to 1602. It was in the pews directly in front of the old pulpit of this kirk that in 1638 the Scottish Covenanters signed a document – some of them in their own blood – that sent tremors throughout Scotland and England and, eventually, around the world. The Scots had no great love for the king, his bishops, and the Episcopal Church. They much preferred their own brand of government; elected elders, and Presbyterianism. The document they signed fired the first salvo in the struggle that degenerated into the Three Nations War – and the founding of the Presbyterian church. The beautiful old churchyard surrounding the old kirk was at one time a prison for more than 1,200 Covenanters held “at His Majesty’s pleasure” – but not at the Scots’! Given the history of church and churchyard, it is no surprise to see crowds of tourists thronging the area. What is surprising is the reason that most of them are there. It’s not ecclesiastical history for the most part! In the mid-nineteenth century the area around Greyfriars Church was patrolled by an Edinburgh policeman called John Gray. A well known and highly respected figure in the neighborhood, his constant companion was a wiry little Skye Terrier called
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