When my kids were younger, especially in upper elementary or middle school, some of them tended to label multiple friends as “best friends” at the same time. When I first heard them declare that Friend B was their best friend, I was confused. I questioned them, “I thought Friend A was your best friend.” Continue reading “Are you a good friend? – 1st Samuel 20, Preview”
Tag Archives: friendship
What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2
Who is the most powerful or wealthy or famous person you know? I know a state senator, and he’s often in the news. We worked together for three years right after college, we were in a Bible study together, spent a lot of time together. But it’s been a while since we hung out orContinue reading “What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2”
My struggle with my basement – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 1
I don’t like the basement in my house. First of all, just getting into the basement is odd. The current placement of the basement steps is not original to the house. The previous owner did a near total rehab on the living areas of the house, and that necessitated moving the location of the basementContinue reading “My struggle with my basement – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 1”
College was not what I expected (…and how that relates to Palm Sunday) – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This week at Faith Church we welcomed one of my current students, Molly Stouffer, as guest preacher. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Here is the first in her series of posts guest blogging her Palm Sunday sermon! When I arrived at Lancaster Bible College, it wasContinue reading “College was not what I expected (…and how that relates to Palm Sunday) – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 1”
The power of “with” – Caring for one another, Part 5
I recently had lunch with a friend who has been going through a deeply difficult season of life for the past two years. It all started when his wife shocked him by separating from him, and likely turning his two teenaged sons against him. She cut off communication, and they eventually moved out. She refusedContinue reading “The power of “with” – Caring for one another, Part 5″
Is accountability disobedient to Jesus? – Holding others accountable, Part 1
I have an app on my laptop and phone called Ever Accountable. It’s there to monitor everything I do online. It is watching me. I can’t see it, of course, but I know it is there because I installed it. It’s not perfect. It doesn’t have God-like abilities to know everything. But it’s good enough. Continue reading “Is accountability disobedient to Jesus? – Holding others accountable, Part 1”
Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5
Over the years people in my church have expressed concern that there are cliques in our church family. The word “clique” reminds me of my high school cafeteria. You could look across the large space full of tables and see the cliques, the small groups of people, like the football players, the cheerleaders, the academics, the bandContinue reading “Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5”
When we behave badly and don’t want to admit it – John 21, Preview
We were in the mouth of the goal, and the guy next to me was yelling at me. He had a good reason. I had just thrown him to the ground. It was during a college soccer game with our rivals. We were vying for position on a corner kick, and the guy on theContinue reading “When we behave badly and don’t want to admit it – John 21, Preview”
Are you a quality friend? A good member of your community? – Relationships: In your community, Preview
Who are your neighbors? Do you know their names? Their story? Their beliefs? Evaluate your relationships with them. Are you close? Distant? Would they say you care about them? What about your co-workers? Your friends? Your classmates? What does it mean to have godly relationships with the various people in your life? Are we justContinue reading “Are you a quality friend? A good member of your community? – Relationships: In your community, Preview”
Is God a frustrated lover? – Ezekiel 7, Part 2
Have you ever experienced the frustration of loving someone who isn’t loving you back? It is a common human relational reality. Spouses that are scorned or betrayed. Kids neglecting their parents, and parents neglecting their kids. Friends that don’t care when you are struggling. Have you ever considered that God might feel like that? InContinue reading “Is God a frustrated lover? – Ezekiel 7, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 