Chad Bonham
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When a Christian Man Meets the Killers of His Family
No one knows the exact number of Cambodians that were executed in the infamous killing fields between 1975 and 1979. Estimates range between 1.7 million and 2.5 million innocent men, women and children who were mercilessly slaughtered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime. But for Reaksa Himm, the only relevant number is 13. …
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Faith in the Games
These Olympic athletes are boldly proclaiming Jesus in London Dawn Harper – Track and Field (Hurdles) When Dawn Harper shocked the world with her gold medal performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, questions about race favorite Lolo Jones (who knocked down a hurdle and opened the door for Harper’s victory) and a reporter’s suggestion that she …
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The Gospel According to the Olympics
How athletes and evangelists are combining to make London’s Summer Olympics about more than just sports
Madeline Mims has served as an Olympic chaplain for 24 years. When she travels to London for the 2012 Games, it will be her seventh time to fill that role. But strangely, as experienced as the former gold medalist is, she has no idea what to expect.
“Each Olympiad has its own unique personality,” Mims says.
One thing is for certain. The Summer Olympics in London, being held July 27 through Aug. 12, will provide much more freedom for ministry and a wider variety of evangelism opportunities than its Beijing counterpart from four years ago.
“With England being an Anglican nation, that door has been opened to make sure the religious services are filled,” Mims says. “They’re making sure they cover all the bases.”
Mims is one of four American chaplains—two men and two women—who will minister to the entire U.S. contingency. They will join 15 international Protestant chaplains to facilitate daily chapel services, one-on-one counseling and team-specific ministry. She created the United States Council for Sports Chaplaincy (USCSC) to help support American sports chaplains as they travel to the Olympics, Track & Field World Championships, U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and other events.
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Speed Racer
NASCAR driver Michael McDowell is still behind the wheel after walking away unscathed from one of the worst wrecks in the sport’s history. His faith tells the story. The world of stock car racing can be summed up in one word: speed. Everything happens fast. From the shop to the garage to the pit to the track—time (measured in hundredths of seconds) is literally money for those aspiring to NASCAR greatness. So, for rising-star driver Michael McDowell it’s no surprise that his spiritual transformation has been as rapid as his rise to prominence in the sport he loves.
In 2003 McDowell was balancing his desire to drive full time and trying to make a living as a newlywed when he lost a close friend—Ron Huber—who was also his employer and mentor. Huber’s passing served as “a reality check,” McDowell says, for what he was doing with his life. He was suddenly reminded by his friend’s death of the impact that Huber, a devoted Christian with strong ties to motorsports ministry, had quietly made in his life. Then, another employer named Tom Barnett brought real life into focus for McDowell.
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A Generation in Revival
Jesus Culture aims to raise up young adults given wholeheartedly to ChristIn charismatic circles, the term revivalist often brings vivid memories of past and present evangelists such as Kathryn Kuhlman, Oral Roberts and Benny Hinn. But Banning Liebscher, founder of the Jesus Culture movement, hopes to bring that concept to today’s generation of teens and young adults.
“For us, a revivalist would be someone whose life is completely His,” Liebscher tells Charisma. “Our message is whole-hearted consecration unto the Lord. It’s not that we’re just Christians, but we’ve really given ourselves to see revival in the earth. We believe that God is looking for entire cities to be saved, and He’s looking for nations to turn to Him.”
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Beauty From Ashes
God is turning sorrow to joy in China through Maria’s Big House of Hope. When Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s 5-year-old daughter, Maria, died in a tragic accident two years ago, pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries was one of the first people to reach out to them. Laurie, whose adult son, Chris, died in …
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Surprised by Grief
Four years later, Steven Curtis Chapman can’t shake his daughter’s death. That’s not a bad thing. Biblical principles sometimes read more like clichés or fortune-cookie messages rather than life-affirming truths. Take Romans 8:28, for example: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called …
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Longer Life?
Will biotechnology stretch our legacies out longer, or are the ethical implications too damaging?
Although escaping mortality is out of the question, stretching its boundaries may not be, according to new discoveries in genetic research.
Geneticists discovered how to lengthen the life span of animals and insects by the alteration of a single gene. Though companies form to benefit from any future application to humans, some are raising questions about the ethical implications of such a process.
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Longer Life?
Will biotechnology stretch our legacies out longer, or are the ethical implications too damaging?
Although escaping mortality is out of the question, stretching its boundaries may not be, according to new discoveries in genetic research.
Geneticists discovered how to lengthen the life span of animals and insects by the alteration of a single gene. Though companies form to benefit from any future application to humans, some are raising questions about the ethical implications of such a process.
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Talking the Walk
After heart trouble nearly claimed his life, FOX News Radio host Todd Starnes.
From the time he was a kid, Todd Starnes wanted to be a journalist. At 13 he became the staff cartoonist for a small weekly paper outside New Orleans where his family lived.
His journalism career eventually led him to the West Coast, where he became a news anchor and senior reporter for KFBK in Sacramento, Calif.
The Rebirth of Hip-Hop
You can't tell by looking, but I'm a big fan of hip-hop.
Let me clarify.
I grew up listening to lots of music: southern gospel, rock, country, R&B, pop, black gospel and old school rap. That probably defies logic to most, but that's just the way it was around the Bonham household back in the late '70s through the late '80s. Actually, anything that wasn't Christian was usually smuggled into the house by my oldest sister Rhonda and then secretly enjoyed by me.
John Shelby: Salt & Light
Anyone out there heard of John Shelby? Anyone? Anyone?Perhaps a few folks in Baltimore or Los Angeles might be able to raise their hand, but truthfully, the average American has no idea who I'm talking about.
So here's a quick rundown: John Shelby has spent the past 32 years in Major League Baseball; first as a World Championship player with the Orioles (1983) and Dodgers (1988) and now as a bench coach for multiple teams (currently Baltimore).
The Battle for Downtown L.A.
When it comes to God’s blessings, there aren’t many that top having a job that you absolutely love. I’ve been fortunate to enjoy such a blessing this year as the producer of a feature-length documentary called Life Happens. Currently in production, this film tells the stories of people who almost weren’t. In other words, these …
Mourning For Michael
When Michael Jackson died last week, I have to admit that the news not only jarred me, but deeply saddened me as well. I grew up during the height of his staggering career and, as both a passionate music fan and an aspiring musician, was greatly influenced by him.Jackson's groundbreaking album Thriller released when I was 11 years old and over the next two years produced hit after hit after hit. Songs like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "Human Nature" and the title track were routinely played on my sister's record player.
Those same songs (and many more) have played in my head like a mental jukebox since the day he passed. He impacted the world with music like few others before him or since. Elvis, The Beatles, Sinatra and U2 join him in that rarefied air only occupied by the truest of icons.
The Listener
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to read other people's minds? I sure have. Never having to guess motives, attitudes or the depth of truthfulness could really come in handy. Of course, sometimes I think its best not to know what other people are thinking. The access to such brutal honesty probably wouldn't feel too good.
