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This past September 22-28, I had the privilege of attending the Fourth Lausanne Congress in Incheon, South Korea, as a young leader of the new generation. I was also privileged to be able to serve in Chinese text translation, registration, coordination, and other aspects. Therefore, I had the opportunity to witness the behind-the-scenes preparations and operations of the Congress and learned many valuable lessons. The theme this year was “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together”.

Christians have a duty and they are responsible. Yes, we can make this world a better place---not by putting our trust in political action, but by acting politically from our trust in our God.

Young people are crying out for justice and equality - they are seeking hope - they are seeking their Jesus.

The world seems to be witnessing increasing levels of violence, fear and hatred that challenge us each day. There are ongoing debates about how or whether to welcome immigrants and refugees to the United States; news headlines remind us about the plight of Syria and about the horrors of the Islamic State.

The human condition-characterized by marvelous giftedness yet ugly sinfulness-has once again captured headlines. On Sunday, 29 January, a young man that some describe as bright, yet reserved, savagely cut down 6 Muslim men and injured 19 others as they worshiped at the Centre Cultural Islamique de Quebec. One cannot help but be reminded of Blaise Pascal's description of humanity as the "glory and shame of the universe."

It was years ago when I was speaking at an openly and avowedly atheistic institution that I was fascinated by a questioner who asked what on earth I meant by the term God. The city was Moscow; the setting was the Lenin Military Academy. The atmosphere was tense. Never had I been asked before to define the term in a public gathering. And because I was in a country so historically entrenched in atheism, I suspected the question was both hostile and intentional.

A new year is just another number on the page, but it stands for something much deeper: that we serve a God of fresh starts and new beginnings. I can still recall my first day as a student at Fuller Seminary, thinking about all the possibilities that lay before me-and it fills me with great delight now to remember that day, and the promise of that open door I faced. Now we stand on the threshold of a new year, 2017. What might it hold in store for us? What great opportunities and possibilities might God hold out before us?

Do any of these words describe you? Hurried. Scattered. Stuffed. Forgetful. Busy. Behind. Broke. If they do, you aren't alone. Christmas is our annual reminder of why Santa takes the sleigh rather than the interstate and how the mall got its name. Strange how a season of peace so often becomes a season of panic.

The seventeenth-century French philosopher Rene Descartes is best known for his dictum "I think, therefore, I am." A cynic may well quip that Descartes actually put des cart before des horse, because all he could have legitimately deduced was, "I think, therefore, thinking exists." I do not intend to defend or counter Cartesian philosophy; I only wish to underscore that thinking has much to do with life and certainty.

On a number of occasions I have had a student, staff member, or faculty member sit in my office with fists clinched or teeth gritting as they describe an issue they are concerned about. Occasionally I will stop, look in their eyes, and make the observation: "You seem to have a lot of anger . . . where do you think that is coming from?"

I recently attended the birthday party of a little girl who was too young to read the notes written on her presents. She did not know which gifts came from which guests. I watched as she conferred with the adult beside her to determine who had given her each package. She then searched for the giver to thank them before opening the present. She seemed to have an inherent trust in the givers, assuming that the gifts were good and worthy of gratitude before knowing the contents.

The man who got the world to sing, "This is my story, this is my song," is now face to face with the One whose story he sang around the world. Cliff Barrows, Billy Graham's song leader, died at the age of 93, having lived a life of preaching and music, the likes of which very few have lived.

We are really ready for this presidential election to be over. We're ready for an end to the rancor and tackiness. Voters on both sides feel frustrated, even embarrassed by it all. There is a visceral fear, an angst about the result. What if so and so wins? When we wake up to November 9, post-election, when the confetti is swept away and the election is finally over, what will we see?

It is a unique experience to see your life dramatized in a movie - as mine is in QUEEN OF KATWE. It is especially remarkable when the life being portrayed is not the one you thought you wanted. Choosing to step out for others and it turns out to be this amazing historic experience.

Tom Krattenmaker, communications director at Yale Divinity School and secular author of the forthcoming book "Confessions of a Secular Jesus Follower," said there is a Christian way to handle the "inveterate bad behavior" of GOP 2016 presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Evangelical crusader Billy Graham has advice for the mothers of the 15 million-plus American children being raised without a father: "Church is the best place for single parents." While Graham said he is convinced that being a single parent is one of the most difficult and demanding responsibilities anyone will ever face, he hopes single mothers will seek God's wisdom and help as they raise their children.

God has positioned us to respond to international crises like this, and we are calling on our brothers and sisters in the states to stand with us in agreement for revival and salvation as we minister to those shunned by the nations but precious to our Father in heaven. Will you stand with us?

The world is watching one of the most complex refugee situations unfold as nearly 10 million people have been displaced in Syria. The Syrian civil war has been going on since the "2011 Arab Spring" when a rebel army tried to overthrow Bashar Al Assad genocidal regime.

Sweden is supposed to be a country that respects freedom of religion. Freedom of religion is even written into their federal constitution. But this fact about the country's federal law doesn't seem to matter to at least three medical facilities and the Swedish court in connection to a Swedish midwife named Ellinor Grimmark.

The predicted coming crisis this fall is revealing the heart and shaking those things that can be shaken.

Christian television has reached a new low. Recently, Pastor (Dr.) Jamal Bryant hosted Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), on The Word Network.

You may be aware of the hell that broke lose just one week ago as Bishop T.D. Jakes stated in an interview with HuffPost Live's Marc Lamont Hill that "absolutely" the Black Church can coexist with the LGBQT community. Many of you also were aware of the clean up Bishop Jakes did in statements via Facebook and his blog upon being "shocked" at the alleged "manipulation" of his initial statement.

Conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer has written a column highlighting both Christian persecution and Christian righteousness. He also elaborated on his personal connection to Lord George Weidenfeld.

Thanks to changing demographics and various rulings from the Supreme Court, some Americans feel that the United States has entered a “post-Christian era.” Two columnists looked at the impact of this trend and how Christians in the United States can live within this new reality.

Liberal commentator and columnist Kirsten Powers has slammed Planned Parenthood after two viral videos posted online showed doctors in the nonprofit women’s health organization discussing with undercover actors posing as buyers about the use of aborted body parts for medical research.