The headline reads, “Bill that would end Sunday ban on football and baseball passes Pa. House.” Take a guess at what year that headline was published. Believe it or not, 2022. The article goes on to report, “The state House passed a bill Monday [September 19, 2022] that would repeal a…law that makes it illegalContinue reading “Playing sports on Sundays, and hunting, is now legal in PA – Rest & Sabbath, Part 1”
Tag Archives: history
Let’s admit it, sometimes the Bible is weird – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 1
This week we welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk retired from a long career in pastoral ministry, denominational leadership and theological education. He now works in global fair trade. Weird is one of those words of which it could be said, “We know it when we see it.” But describing or defining what makes somethingContinue reading “Let’s admit it, sometimes the Bible is weird – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 1”
Space Race, Moonshot and SkyLab – A Theology of Space Exploration, Part 1
Trivia question: What major lunar event happened on December 14, 1972? On December 14, 1972, US astronaut Eugene Cernan stepped off the surface moon, climbed up the ladder back into the lunar module Challenger, closed the hatched, blasted off, returned to earth, and humans have never again set foot on the moon. That was 52Continue reading “Space Race, Moonshot and SkyLab – A Theology of Space Exploration, Part 1”
I just can’t wait to be king – 1st Samuel 8-10, Preview
It was one year ago, May 6, 2023, that Prince Charles III of England was crowned King Charles (though he had acceded to the throne the previous September 22, when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, passed). Charles had been waiting for that moment for a long time. When his mother became queen, Charles was 4 yearsContinue reading “I just can’t wait to be king – 1st Samuel 8-10, Preview”
What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview
One of most discouraging books I ever read is The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins. I found the book discouraging because it tells the sad story of the Christian church in places where the church started and thrived. The book’s subtitle says it all, “The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in theContinue reading “What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview”
With God, the end of your story has not been written – Ezekiel 20, Part 2
Editor’s Note: Thanks to guest blogger David Hundert for continuing the Ezekiel series this week. Have you ever felt like things are so bad, there’s no hope? The “story” is ending at the moment of failure, and there is no way things could possibly turn around. Life can seem like that. But with God, there’sContinue reading “With God, the end of your story has not been written – Ezekiel 20, Part 2”
God’s surprising history lesson – Ezekiel 20, Part 1
Editor’s Note: Thanks to guest blogger David Hundert for continuing the Ezekiel series this week. I want to talk with you about “teachable moments.” What are teachable moments? Teachable moments are an event or experience which gives a good opportunity to learn something about life. Now, at the this time, because Joel isn’t blogging, I’mContinue reading “God’s surprising history lesson – Ezekiel 20, Part 1”
Do you know these historical quotes? – Ezekiel 11, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome David Hundert as guest blogger! Thanks David! Can you finish the following sentences? Let’s start with one that might be familiar: “Those who fail to learn from history,___________________________” Did you get it right? “Those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” Do you know whoContinue reading “Do you know these historical quotes? – Ezekiel 11, Part 1”
Your life matters – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 2
Have you ever wondered if you life matters? Have you wrestled with dark, sad thoughts, thinking that you are not important? If so, you’re not alone. Just about everyone has battled those kinds of thoughts at least some time in their lives. What can be confusing is that there is a book of the BibleContinue reading “Your life matters – Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Part 2”
How you are vital to the mission of Jesus in our world today – Acts 9:1-31, Part 5
So often history follows the leaders, but we also need a People’s History of the Church, where we learn from the stories of the common people. There are thousands and millions of supporting actors whose faithfulness and sacrifice in small ways provides a foundation for the advancement of the Kingdom. Many people like you andContinue reading “How you are vital to the mission of Jesus in our world today – Acts 9:1-31, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 