Salt is referred to several times in the New Testament. Though it is quite common today, it was considered a valuable commodity in ancient times and was even a form of payment in some cases (this is where we get the phrase, “worth his/her salt”). Salt was certainly used to add flavor, but its most important use was as a preservative—making sure food did not spoil before it could be prepared.

Jesus says we are to be “salt and light” (Matt. 5:13-16): those whose presence in the world prevents spoilage while reflecting the light of God’s love to all.

The big fish in Jonah’s story often gets treated unfairly. He (or she) is often made out to be the villain or an instrument of punishment. Perhaps we mistake the story of Jonah for that of Gepetto, the father of Pinocchio, who gets trapped inside an evil whale while searching for his wooden boy.

It is difficult to be both prophetic and diplomatic at the same time. Nathan’s prophetic statement in 2 Samuel—which, in this case, proclaims God’s truth with clarity rather than predicting the future—is the kind of statement that is hard to speak and even harder to hear. The nature of most prophetic proclamations is directness, so how do we speak God’s truth diplomatically as Nathan did?

Diplomacy, at its best, describes a way of communicating that seeks to truly connect all of those involved.

True diplomacy does not avoid difficult truths.

Raquel Pereira is administrator of the Portugal Learning Center and coordinates outcomes assessment at European Nazarene College (EuNC) in Büsingen, Switzerland. She also works as an accountant for a construction company. Pereira lives in Lisbon, Portugal, with her husband, João Pedro Pereira, who is superintendent of the Portugal District. Their daughter, Priscila, is a university student.

Pereira was raised in a Christian home in Lisbon. When the Church of the Nazarene entered Portugal, with missionaries Earl and Gladys Mosteller, the family became Nazarene.

Jennifer Gillett is a professional woman from Lord's Bank, a community just outside Belize City, Belize. Her father, Archie Gillett, served as pastor of Zion Church of the Nazarene in Belize City. One of four siblings, Jennifer is an elementary school teacher. She received her education at the University of Belize.

At the time of this interview, Jennifer was engaged to Nicholas Newman. They were married in December 2009.

HT: List the areas where you serve the church locally and on your district.

I am the son of a great storyteller. Like most people, I can't remember much about my early childhood. But I could tell you about it in great detail. Instead of memories, my childhood is constructed predominately by the stories of my father.

I think that's pretty cool.

I have been listening to my dad tell stories from the pulpit all my life. I used to wonder why they made people laugh and then cry all within half an hour, but now I don't wonder anymore. They make me laugh and cry as well.

In each issue, a forum of pastors, laity, theologians, and church leaders respond to your questions on subjects such as doctrine, theology, Christian living, and the church. Send your questions to Holiness Today, Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220| E-mail: holinesstoday@nazarene.org. The editor regrets that all questions cannot be printed, acknowledged, or answered.

I am a lifelong baseball fan. My family and I have been to all 30 major league baseball stadiums in the U.S. and Canada, and I have been involved in baseball—either as a player or a coach—since I was 6 years old. For those who are not baseball fans, I will share with you one of the key theological truths we can learn from this game: It is not how you start, but how you finish!

God has blessed my family with a variety of gifts and passions. While my wife is passionate about cooking, my mother is passionate about setting a beautiful table, and I am passionate about eating and cleaning the dishes.  My daughter and my mother now work together to set a beautiful table. Depending on the season and occasion, a variety of dishes, napkins, silverware, and other unique touches are used.  For special occasions, everyone receives a placeholder with his or her name on it.