I have attended half-day prayer retreats with Open Hands Ministries for the last six months or so. If you live in or near South-Central Pennsylvania, you might really appreciate an Open Hands prayer retreat. Each of the retreats has a different topic, and a couple months ago, the topic was The Dark Night of theContinue reading “My church building ripped my shirt (and what it taught me) – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 1”
Monthly Archives: April 2025
The bread that almost got me fired – 1 Thessalonians 5:5–11, Preview
In the nine months before October 2002, the date I began ministry at Faith Church, I worked at my denomination’s then seminary, Evangelical School of Theology, as the Director of the Annual Fund.* I had heard of the denomination, the Evangelical Congregational Church, and I had heard of the seminary, but this was the firstContinue reading “The bread that almost got me fired – 1 Thessalonians 5:5–11, Preview”
How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5
My friends remodeled their kitchen, and it turned out beautiful. A few months later they went on a mission trip. When they returned, they couldn’t stop talking about what they saw, experienced, and how it changed their life. They told me that if they had gone on the mission trip before they remodeled their kitchen,Continue reading “How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5”
Jesus’ return might be a very bad thing for Christians – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 4
Is it possible that when Jesus shows up, it might be a very sad moment for Christians? Can’t be, right? When Jesus returns, it will be glorious celebration. Except that’s not what the Bible says. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 1–4, Paul writes, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do notContinue reading “Jesus’ return might be a very bad thing for Christians – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 4”
Why I no longer emphasize the rapture (something else is far more important) – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 3
What will happen to people who are still alive when Jesus returns? Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 15, “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” Paul is talkingContinue reading “Why I no longer emphasize the rapture (something else is far more important) – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 3”
Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2
Death sucks. I have pastoral colleagues who say they like doing funerals, not because a person died, of course, but because of the opportunity to have spiritual conversations. I’m really iffy about that. When it comes to rituals of the faith, I’d much rather do a wedding, baptism, or lead the celebration of communion. BecauseContinue reading “Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 