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”
Tag Archives: Prayer
Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Did you know that there is flowing movement of encouragement? At the end of 1 Thessalonians verse 10, Paul describes a flowing movement of encouragement. The movements starts with the Christians heContinue reading “Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2”
Two words that transform our hopelessness – Advent Hope, Part 5
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. Are you feeling any hopelessness about something in your life? Maybe you feel you’re losing hope within. If so, even if just a little bit, you might resonate with theContinue reading “Two words that transform our hopelessness – Advent Hope, Part 5”
What to do when life feels hopeless – Advent Hope, Part 4
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 30 years who now works in international fair trade. My favorite Old Testament minor prophet is Habakkuk. Habakkuk had a message of hope from God for people, but Habakkuk’s message doesn’t start out very hopeful. Here’s how Habakkuk begins,Continue reading “What to do when life feels hopeless – Advent Hope, Part 4”
Why Catholics pray to Mary, but Protestants don’t (and is it a sin to pray to Mary?) – Q & A Oct 2024, Part 2
Catholics deeply respect Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a helpful way that many Protestants and evangelicals do not, and that is to our detriment. Mary is a wonderful example of a heart for God. But should we pray to her, and does she pray for us? How do Catholics come to that conclusion? ItContinue reading “Why Catholics pray to Mary, but Protestants don’t (and is it a sin to pray to Mary?) – Q & A Oct 2024, Part 2”
When it comes to Mary, Protestants and Catholics agree on a lot – Q & A Oct 2024, Part 1
What does the Bible teach about Mary as intercessor? Let me give me you a one word answer: nothing. The Bible teaches nothing about Mary as intercessor. So why do Catholics believe that people can pray to Mary and Mary will intercede for them? Have you ever heard the phrase “Hail Mary?” In our cultureContinue reading “When it comes to Mary, Protestants and Catholics agree on a lot – Q & A Oct 2024, Part 1”
Praying to Mary, Separation of church and state – Q & A Oct 2024, Preview
This coming week on the blog is another Q & A week. The way it works is that I receive questions from my congregation, Faith Church in Lancaster, PA, and then I not only attempt to answer those questions in my sermon, but I also blog them here. First, we’re going to talk about whyContinue reading “Praying to Mary, Separation of church and state – Q & A Oct 2024, Preview”
When you have been waiting, cry out to God – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 5
What have you been waiting for? A difficult relationship being healed? A debt paid off? A sickness healed? We can wait, and wait, and it can seem like radio silence from God. That’s what David felt, and I’m so glad he put it into words and someone selected it for inclusion in the psalms. ForContinue reading “When you have been waiting, cry out to God – 2 Samuel 4—5, Part 5”
Three steps for avoiding spiritual panic – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 5
As a pastor for many years, I’ve had the opportunity to interacted with people in spiritual panics, some funny, some sad, some tragic. People come to me as their pastor, or I’ve found out about their situation, and they just don’t know what to do. They feel that God’s not answering them. They’re praying. They’reContinue reading “Three steps for avoiding spiritual panic – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 5”
How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5
After the first three chapters of 1st Samuel focusing on Samuel’s birth and childhood, we’ve now read through more chapters, 4 through 6, with no mention of Samuel. Where is Samuel through all the craziness of the Ark of the Covenant’s capture? The narrative doesn’t tell us, so we can safely guess that during thoseContinue reading “How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 