“So you have a big week this week!” exclaimed Diane when she saw me Tuesday morning. Diane’s our excellent bookkeeper at the church and is only in on Tuesdays. “Sure do,” I replied. She was, of course, referring to Justin and Maria’s wedding this Saturday. And to say that we’re a bit preoccupied at the Benedict house right now would be an understatement. “When do Josh, Alaina, and Evan arrive?” she asked. “They fly into Newark tonight. Pam’s picking them…
One Tuesday morning earlier this spring, I went to the men’s breakfast. Every Tuesday, about a dozen Bethany men gather at the Olive Branch Restaurant in Bowmansville for coffee, breakfast, and conversation. I enjoy it, but my attendance is weak. Monday’s my day off, so Tuesday, my first day back in the office is crazy busy. Unfortunately, in recent months other responsibilities have occupied that time slot. Since forever, the breakfast started at 7:00 AM. I’m not particularly an early…
I’m not much of a journaler. I wish I was. I always admire people who can say things like, “I’ve been keeping a spiritual journal for the last 25 years and I’m just starting my 37th notebook.” Of course, if I could say that, I’d probably be spiritually proud about it, so maybe it’s just as well. My devotional life has always been a little more… unstructured. I’m not saying that’s ideal. I’m just describing reality. Over the years, I’ve…
Adapted from a devotional given to the Revival Prayer Group at Garden Spot Village, May 14, 2026. All my life, I’ve longed to witness revival. A true season of renewal and restoration… a sovereign work of God marked by a fresh outpouring of His Spirit. I’ve been more than blessed in ministry over these past 35 years, but I can’t honestly say I’ve seen what could truly be called a revival. Nothing like the Great Awakening of the 1700s or…
“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” — Mark 16:19 Thursday is Ascension Day… so if you live here in Lancaster County, get ready for a quieter than normal Thursday and a procession of horse and buggies crowding the roads. Much of the plain community — Amish and Mennonite alike — pauses to observe the day. Family-owned businesses close their doors with handwritten signs…
Monday was my day off, and I spent a good part of it power washing our house. I got about half of it done. And honestly, I couldn’t believe how dirty it had become by just… sitting there. When we bought the house in 2019, it was in showcase condition. The appliances had been recently replaced, the paint was touched up nicely, and the lawn and flowerbeds looked like they’d been professionally maintained. The house had likely had been power…
One of the great mysteries—and adventures—of my Christian life has been learning to discern the will or voice of God. I was raised in a church tradition in which one didn’t hear the voice of God. We didn’t need to—we had the completed Word of God in the Bible. But conversely, God did guide—revealing His will through things like circumstances, internal peace, godly counsel, and of course through reading the Bible. We didn’t believe in new revelation, but in the…
The Fourth Word: My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Second Mennonite Church, Philadelphia, April 3:2026 Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 At the sixth hour, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” So now we come to the center. Three words have already been spoken, and three more will follow. But…
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re moving an entire brick house on Rt. 625 next to Conestoga Wood Specialties. I’ve been watching with fascination over the last few weeks as they dug out around the foundation, cut through the concrete sections, and slid massive steel I-beams underneath. Then—somehow—they lifted the whole thing, inch by inch. When I drove by Sunday morning, there it was… an entire house sitting on a flatbed trailer. I can’t imagine the tension of…
You’ve probably heard the story—when Hernán Cortés landed in the New World, he burned his ships. No retreat. No backup plan. No “we’ll see how this goes.” The only way forward… was forward. It’s a little extreme—but also quite inspiring. Because if we’re honest, most of us live with more than a few “ships” docked in the background. Things we’d like to do. Tasks that need accomplishing. Issues that need addressing. The spirit is willing… but the flesh is weak…