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2004 Voices Articles (nonfiction) Nothing Less Than Feelings by Harley Peterson /  December 17, 2004 Do animals feel emotions like love? Are they lonely, jealous, disappointed, curious? Do they mourn and worry and feel hate? If they are God's creatures, I think they do... That's Not Much by Kristen D'Arpa / December 3, 2004 More often than not, God chooses to work with little in order to do a lot. He prefers "not much" over "plenty" so he is glofified, not us. So never overlook the "not much" moments in your own life! After all, God doesn't need...well, much. The Plains of Moab by Kristen D'Arpa /  October 15, 2004 Moses wasn't the only one with a promise land to look forward to. Be inspired by this narrative to consider what God has promised you. Daddy's Girl by Erica Hunt /  October 1, 2004 The author of this piece relates how the relationship she has with her earthly father has significantly influenced her perception of her heavenly father. Are We Christians or CHRISTians? by Gina Norman /  September 10, 2004 If we as Christians act the same as those without Christ, how are we doing what God calls us to do? Jesus said that the world will know us because we act like Christ towards others. Peace Like Fresh, Cut Grass by Kristen D'Arpa /  September 10, 2004 Though God said he’d give us peace like a river, this kind of peace isn’t comfortable to most people. Instead, many think they would prefer peace like...well, a safer landscape. A New Perspective by Becky Pfeiffer /  August 13, 2004 Recalling her favorite movie for a survey prompted the author of this piece to re-examine racial stereotypes previously unnoticed in the fim. The result was a new perspective that has shaped her worldview ever since. Getting What You Ask For by Gail Wolff  /  August 13, 2004 Why does God positively answer our prayers knowing (and even warning us about) the negative effects? The Israelites lived with the consequences of their prayers for years, according to I Samuel. But You're a Part of This World by Rob Dannenberg /  July 30, 2004 This op-ed piece discusses the role of Christians in politics by drawing from scripture, Tolkien, and the author's own experiences. Loving by Learning  by Sheri Rozencrantz/  July 9, 2004 Learning about another culture is one way we can start to love others. Read about one woman's experience. In the Springtime of Life by Kristen D'Arpa/  July 2, 2004 "In the springtime, everything is new." This can be both exciting and frightening. Read about this dichotomy in a short, reflective piece. Sometimes Not Complaining Works Better by Rob Dannenberg /  June 25, 2004 Don't like something on TV? Instead of letting the world make programming decisions for us, try not complaining instead to encourage broadcasters' choices. The Devil Is in the Politics by Rob Dannenberg /  June 11, 2004 Though followers of Christ may differ politically, they have the most important thing in common: a call to be Christ-like to everyone. However, this similarity can easily be overlooked, especially when political passions rise to the surface. What Is a Lord, Anway? by Anne Schoolcraft /  June 11, 2004 Declaring Jesus as Lord may initially seem like voluntary bondage, since it requires admitting we need him to lead us. However, allowing Christ to be the ruler of your life actually results in freedom!   Leaving the 99 by Kristen D'Arpa / May 28, 2004 How can God bring healing if I won’t admit I’m hurt?  How will I rejoice that something missing in my life has been filled if I am too proud to admit it was empty to begin with? Movements of Faith by Gail Wolff /  May 21, 2004 If you think philosophy isn't applicable to your daily life, think again. Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling is full of good, challenging stuff! Read about the importance of living your faith in this brief discussion of one aspect of this text. A Little Dab Won't Do Ya' by Gina Norman /  May 14, 2004 There's a difference between reading your Bible and referencing it. If you want to soak it up and develop a full understanding of God's Word, A Little Dab Won't Do Ya! Rest at the Cross by Kristen D'Arpa /  May 14, 2004 Climbing to the summit of one of the most dangerous volcanos in Central America is physically challenging but well worth it - not because of the view or the threat of erruption, but because you are forced to look to the cross.   Life, Interrupted by Erica Hunt / April 30, 2004 Interruptions in our daily lives are far from unusual. Interruptions that change who we are, on the other hand, are rare. Read about how taking the Basic Training: WHC Reconciliation in Action course has affected one of its participants for life. What I Know, Vol. 2 by Cindy Sandsness /  April 23, 2004 We usually focus on the good news in the Bible, not the bad. However, both types of news are there, and both must be embrace. Why? Read What I Know, Vol. 2 to find out. What Is Grace, Anyway? by Anne Schoolcraft /  April 16, 2004 Christian lingo can sound pretty strange to the rest of the world. Read What Is Grace, Anyway to clarify the meaning of one word that gets used a lot. Safe and Sound by Gail Wolff /  April 16, 2004 In 2002, almost one million children did not know what it was like to be safe and sound in their own homes. Raise your own awareness of child maltreatment and what you can do to prevent it. One Group's Story by Kristen D'Arpa /  April 9, 2004 Covenant Groups are integral to Woodland Hills becoming more spiritually empowered, but if you've never been in a small group, you may be wondering what they're all about. Read about One Group's Story. Not Your Typical Spring Break by Kristen D'Arpa /  April 2, 2004 Many students chose to party in South Padre over spring break; others chose to serve the partiers instead. Read about how someone from Woodland Hills did just that. A Look at Hospice Care by Sheri Rosencrantz /  April 2, 2004 Hospice care isn't just for those dying of cancer. It's meant to minister to people suffering from any terminal illness...and their families, too. Read about the many benefits of hospice care. Is God to Blame? by Rachael Rydbeck  /  March 19, 2004 While Boyd's book Is God to Blame? will be very encouraging for someone struggling through a painful time, its relevancy is in no way limited to those with painful unanswered questions. It explains why bad things happen and how we affect and are affected by these changes. Boyd believes that it isn’t God’s will for tragic events to happen...He grieves with us, He changes with us, He loves us. Greener Grass by Gina Norman  /  March 12, 2004 It’s so easy to wish for other people’s lives when our own lives are tough. Before I became a Christian, I was always checking out what others had compared to me – housing, clothing, friends, or significant others.  Especially if I was having a dry spell, my claws would just cling to their lives. Life & Taxes: Give to God the Things That Are God's by Cindy Sandsness /  March 12, 2004 Spring brings warmer weather, new life, and taxes. Luke recorded an incident where Jesus' enemies tried to trap him by asking whether they should have to pay taxes or not. Jesus wasn't trapped, and he taught them (and us) a lesson in how much we should give to God: everything! Peace Starts With a Smile, Not a Sign by Gina Norman  /  February 20, 2004 “Peace isn’t the absence of war.” That’s an old saying and a wise one. 2003 was quite a year for peace protests. I can’t tell you how many people I saw on street corners trying to achieve peace by waving signs. If you ask me, peace is so much deeper and more difficult than that. Back to Captivity & Feeling Free by Erica Hunt  /  January 30, 2004 The confrontations occurred almost daily and would typically result in me feeling insecure, bitter, and humiliated. “What did you do this week? How many kids showed up? How do you explain the low numbers?” My boss demanded answers... answers I felt were never good enough.