by Mike Costanzo | May 15, 2011 | Disaster, Faith, Missions, Reflections
What is God doing in Japan? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at...
by Mike Costanzo | Jun 18, 2010 | Faith, Reflections
When I was growing up, I was told a lie—by my family, by my peers, by the society in which I lived. I was told that the true value of a man is measured in how “studly” you are. I was told that manly men were those who were so charming, handsome, and strong that they...
by Mike Costanzo | Jun 11, 2010 | Faith, Reflections
Doubting has a bad rep in the modern American Evangelical church. This must be due at least in part to Biblical imperatives that condemn certain kinds of doubting as sin: “Ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven...
by Jen Costanzo | Jan 5, 2008 | Faith, Holidays/Special Events, Reflections, Travel
Over the course of our visits to the different temples in Kyoto, we had the opportunity to see a lot of people both worshiping at the temples as well as monks and nuns who work full-time at these sites. I kept thinking, “I’m so sorry for you!”...
by Mike Costanzo | Dec 24, 2007 | Faith, Music, Video
Back in November, I discovered a poem in my daily devotional by William Jay (published in 1828) called “Though Dwelling With Strangers Around” . The words were so powerful, I decided to see if anyone had ever put it to music. To my surprise, I found...
by Jen Costanzo | Oct 7, 2007 | Faith, Jen, Reflections
This is such a controversial issue among Christians today. I don’t want to get embroiled in the controversy, but I can’t help but talk about some of the areas of contemplation my brain has stumbled across after living in Japan for a year. I think...
