“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” –John 15:1–2 (NASB) As I approach my final months in Wales…

One of the key words that keeps popping up throughout my time in Wales is DISCOVERY. As an author and avid writer, I pay attention to the consistent occurrence of specific words over a sustained period of time. This has happened through many different ways. …

During my missionary journey, one of the most difficult struggles has been the distance. I wouldn’t call it homesickness, because I have lived away from my hometown before. Whether I look at the distance of time (anywhere from five to eight hours behind my family and friends), the distance of…

INTRODUCTION: This spoken-word poem was originally written for some of the missionary work that I am doing in Wales. I hope that this simple testimony encourages you, and inspires you to transition from a “me” focused lifestyle to the community that resides within the “WE” of Christ-centered community. FROM ME…

As I write this, I am seated outside on a weathered bench; safely nestled in a picturesque meadow. I am surrounded by trees, a sweet song on the Summer breeze, and a resounding whisper from The One Who formed my soul. Even the gravel in the parking lot emanates the…

“A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment — how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23 (AMP) Recently, I experienced a first-hand reminder of the reality found within this passage. While attending a service at my church…

FIGHT OR FLIGHT? (FLY) I wrote this poem recently, as I was contemplating the many choices that lay ahead of me. There are lots of details related to leaving one sort of life behind to embark on a whole new existence as a full-time missionary. During the last week, I have dealt with a…

We live in tumultuous times. In this moment of history, it is increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction, love from justification, opinions from truth, and faith from fear. As each day passes, we experience a collective loss of innocence. We are no longer safe to casually roam our streets…

THE STOLEN YEARS: By Shane M. Oberlin INTRO — The Story Behind The Poem: This poem was born out of the last three years of my journey. In 2016, I had passed the point of no return, reaching a point where my faith had stopped; completely unable to bridge the…