“Who dares despise the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10) The room buzzed with the nervous energy of sixth graders. Snack crumbs littered the table, school backpacks strewn on the floor. We’d been there almost an hour, and my planning agenda sat in ruins. I was way out of my league, trying to wrangle a group of boys who seemed more interested in cracking jokes than planning anything. It was the fall of 2007, and we were sitting at my kitchen…
Written by a Bethany family member… As I sat last night and viewed the devastating Los Angeles fire destruction, I sat in absolute shock. I felt my heart loading up with ache and feeling pain for those living through a living hell. I saw footage of a woman, tears dripping down her face, saying she awoke to an everyday routine on Wednesday and by evening had lost absolutely everything. Everything. That could be me tomorrow. I think the whole country…
“You say, ‘I choose the appointed time.’” Psalm 75:2 Timing is everything, whether it’s planting a garden or catching a flight. And success often hinges on doing the right thing at the right time. Yet, when it comes to God’s plans, we often find ourselves impatient. It almost never happens on our timetable. We yearn for resolutions, breakthroughs, or justice—and we want it now. But Christmas teaches us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels excruciatingly slow. For…
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1 It’s Thanksgiving week. Pam and I have been anticipating this week all year long. And the Benedict house is FULL. The house is full. Every bed is claimed—and then some—with Josh and Alaina home from Germany, Amanda and Patrick up from Richmond, and Justin back from university at IUP. Little Chloe (our beagle) skitters in between a sea of legs…
I’ve always loved horses. As kids growing up on 18 acres in rural PA, my sister and I had ponies. My dad who was raised on a farm taught us how to put on a bridle and saddle and manage and care for a horse. Years later, we boarded a beautiful chestnut mare for a friend. And as a teen, I would ride “Princess” bareback for hours roaming the countryside. As an adult, I’ve kind of lost touch with the…
(a devotional from Miki Clouser) This past Sunday morning I found myself tearing up a little bit unexpectedly. I was already excited about the last song in our worship set, “Blessed Be Your Name”, because it’s one of my favorites. But the sermon on Elijah at Mount Sinai desperately needing an encounter with God brought back some memories that really brought it home for me. When I was in my early teens my life was at a place where I…
The election season has finally ended, but has left many Christians feeling worn, weary, and battle-scarred. It was an ugly, contentious, and disheartening campaign. And whether you woke up this morning feeling immense relief, profound disappointment, or something in between, I think, we’re all keenly aware that something is still profoundly wrong. The very fabric of our nation, communities, churches and relationships has been torn and we’re left wondering if mending is even possible. For most believers, this election came…
“We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done” Psalm 78:4 It was a Tuesday morning, ten years ago, and I was sitting in my study down in Virginia, when in through the door came Pat Beamer fresh from the women’s weekly Bible study. Pat was a force of nature, known around the church for her down-home style, helping hands, wicked…
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” – Psalm 40:2 Monday, Pam and I took a walk at Memorial Lake State Park. It was my day off, and we wanted to enjoy the beautiful autumn weather and take in some scenery. The park is nestled in Indiantown Gap and boasts a 54-acre lake with the Appalachian Mountains in…
Every once in a while, something comes along that shakes my world. You ever have that happen to you? Now, I’m not talking about superficial things, like the day I discovered chocolate-covered Nutella Oreos at Sunnyside Bakery—although, let’s be honest, that was pretty epic. No, I’m talking about those moments when something hits you so deep it changes the way you think or view the world. That happened to me about a month ago while I was listening to a podcast….