"During my training at the police academy, I was taught to aim for the heart or head when firing my weapon. No exceptions," says Carlos Amaza, choking back tears. "I just can't do that anymore."

For the past 22 years, First Sergeant Carlos Amaza has served as a police officer in the city of Neuquén, Argentina. He has avoided the thin line of corruption that snarls many in his profession. Emotional scars from daily images of brutality and murder led him to seek escape in a bottle and in the arms of numerous women. Amaza was at a point of destroying himself and his family.

On that last day, that great day of the feast of tabernacles, Jesus stood in the temple teaching. It was the autumnal feast, the feast of thanksgiving, and the high priest stood before the altar of sacrifice and poured out of a golden vessel water and wine, emblems of the blood and water soon to be poured forth from Jesus' side.

On that last day, that great day of the feast of tabernacles, Jesus stood in the temple teaching. It was the autumnal feast, the feast of thanksgiving, and the high priest stood before the altar of sacrifice and poured out of a golden vessel water and wine, emblems of the blood and water soon to be poured forth from Jesus' side.

There is no disharmony in the things of God. There may be seeming contradictions to the finite mind, and some things "hard to understand," and we may not be able to see how we can have joy in the midst of suffering or peace with the turmoil of war all around us. But God has so arranged it that there can be an unbroken peace and a deep joy in the midst of severe suffering.

Have you ever felt guilty but did not know why? A mother tells her daughter who lives in another state and works full time, "You don't visit me as often as you should." The daughter feels guilty but sees no way she can take additional time off from her daily responsibilities to see her mother more frequently. A church member tells a new Christian who is working two jobs and getting far too little sleep, "You need to spend more time praying and reading the Bible each day." Good advice, but it creates unnecessary guilt.

Q: If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?
A: Abraham Lincoln - to talk about faith in the face of adversity and priorities in the face of demands.

Q: What habit would you like to change?
A: Staying up late at night answering email!

Q: What do you do to relax?

Uncharacteristically blue eyes sparkle in a traditionally beautiful Bulgarian face. Charming femininity and an easy smile disguise the inner strength of this woman determined to plant seeds for the future in rocky terrain.

Media in the Church of the Nazarene took root during an era in the church when you could make movies, but you couldn't go to one. At the time, stained glass windows were okay in a sanctuary, but a projected image wasn't. Television was beginning to enter homes, and Marshall McLuhan, who some say was the most authoritative commentator of the century, was declaring, "The medium is the message." It was a time when the "devil" was in the projector, whether the image was of sin or salvation.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

In my first year of being a district licensed minister, I served as part-time youth pastor. Before one Wednesday night service, I was talking with parents while several children were running around playing hide and seek in the foyer of the church.

Eventually, I noticed a little boy in the corner. At first, I thought he was counting for hide and seek, but then I noticed he was crying. His name was Oscar, and he was six years old.

Act One of "Living Cross" neared its conclusion. The set was covered with period-costumed actors straining to touch "Jesus" as He passed their way. I noticed one of the outstretched hands belonged to a lone Asian cast member.

During intermission, I learned that "Berry" was a 16-year-old Chinese exchange student being hosted by a family at my church in Ohio. Originally, Berry had been hosted by another family. As she worked on assignments in her school's library, she was befriended by library assistant Wendy Godbey.