Something More Valuable
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6:38 Dear Friends, Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow on PBS? For those that aren’t familiar, they travel the US, inviting people to bring in various items that they think might be valuable, and have them appraised by the show’s experts. What makes it to air is usually a collec
In Rough Seasons...
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” - Psalm 23:5 Dear Friends, Ever have a rough day? How about a week? A month? A year? It happens. Whether you deal with anxiety and depression all of your life or not, we all go through seasons where things just don’t seem… right. One of the worst things we can do in these times, is to keep things bottled up, as a secret we alone know about, believing we alone unders
As We Remember
“Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” - Deuteronomy 5:15 Dear Friends, Today marks the 18th anniversary of those tragic events that we will forever remember as 9/11. The images of the smoking towers in New York City, the Pentagon and a field in Central Pennsylvania do not go away. Brought up in casual conversation, virtually anyone alive at that time will recall with vivid de
Taking Risks
“…Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 15:25b-26 Dear Friends, Sitting in a meeting yesterday for the leadership of Washington Presbytery, one member addressed a proposal that was brought forward with a profound and simple statement: It’s worth the risk Have you ever been presented with a proposition, an opportunity, a chance to step outside of your comfort zone? Has God ever spoken to you through a trusted friend, a
A Mathematics Lesson
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Dear Friends, It’s so great to be back in the saddle after a week away of resting, playing and checking in with my 5 best friends from seminary. It was our 12th annual gathering and it’s one of the most valuable things I do each year. I always come away both challenged and encouraged! I hope and pray that you have a friend or two who does that for you. Today, I
What Charity REALLY Means
“Let all your things be done with charity.” - 1 Corinthians 16:14 (KJV) Dear Friends, This past Sunday as we neared the end of our “Give Up Something Bad for Lent” series, we talked about God’s Kingdom of Grace and God’s Economy of Mercy - a much different way of living than the pettiness that pervades our current world. There’s one thing I wanted to add to this that there just wasn’t enough time to explore on Sunday morning - charity. Now, charity has come to mean something
Give Up Something Bad for Lent
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love.” - Psalm 51:1:a Dear Friends, Tomorrow is the official beginning of Lent - making today Mardi Gras - the last day to indulge and revel in all of the things that you’re supposed to give up during Lent! So, eat a 20 ounce steak, a gallon of ice cream, and a pound of chocolate, washing it all down with a pitcher of your favorite adult beverage. Then go frolic down Pike Street in your craziest costume. Well, maybe not. T
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