In this Issue — Jan-Feb, 2012
Cover Art
The Magi - He Qi
From the almond-shaped eyes to the clothing style, the East, or Orient, is clearly visible in this month’s cover art. Bold colors, mixed perspectives, and the kneeling Magi’s bold gaze into the viewer’s eyes speak of modernity. Yet ancient traditions of the West are comfortable in He Qi’s painting as well. For example, the baby Jesus holds an apple. By the time of the Renaissance, the apple’s appearance in European painting was common, symbolizing Jesus’ coming to earth to save humanity from our sin. Using the apple is based on an even earlier tradition that it was the “fruit” spoken ...read more
From the Editor
A Global Circle of Prayer Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you. — Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV) In 2011 and 2012, we’ve been celebrating The Upper Room’s global community of prayer with a special focus on our international editions. The editors of six of these editions have introduced themselves on this page over the past year, and I hope you were moved, like me, by the joys and struggles of their important work. The millions of brothers and sisters in ...read more
Prayer Workshop
On the Road Again Several years ago I moved from the home where I had lived for 20-plus years to a place half its size. The move was part of a conscious decision to simplify my life in order to free more time to answer God’s call to write. But driving away was tough. So when I read the story of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-9, I consider how hard it must have been for him to leave his home in Haran after 75 years. And perhaps even more remarkable, Abraham left not knowing where he would end up. Can you imagine loading all you ...read more
