“…to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” — Luke 1:79 It’s a strange place to be—experiencing grief during the holidays. Christmas is supposed to feel light. Warm. Joyful. But sometimes it doesn’t. I have to confess, this is my first personal brush with grief at Christmas. Two years ago, we did a sermon series on The Colors of Christmas, and on the first Sunday of Advent we observed a “Blue Christmas,” acknowledging that for…
This year my thankfulness has much greater dimension than it sometimes does. I’m counting my blessings against the ongoing recovery efforts down in Jamaica as a result of Hurricane Melissa. Pam and I have dear ministry friends down there who have suffered deeply. Back on October 28, the full brunt of a category 5 hurricane smashed into western Jamaica. Westmoreland, St. James Parish, and Montego Bay—where Bethany has served for several years through Jamaica Link—got absolutely hammered. The mountainous regions…
I live too busy of a life. I imagine you do too. The tyranny of the urgent is real. All my life, I’ve felt the constant tug between busyness and mindfulness… between doing and being, inward and outward… between serving others and tending my own soul. Maybe you feel that too? You start the day with a quick cup of coffee, and then it’s off to the races—carpools, work deadlines, school events, appointments, errands, dinner, cleanup, homework, emails. Like a…
I’m not happy with my physical condition. I’ve thought about it, talked it to death—it’s time to do something… again. I’ve griped about my lack of stamina, complained about my back pain, bemoaned my posture and the occasional shirt that’s tight in all the wrong places. I don’t like having to “suck it up” for photos. The “algorithm” clearly knows what I’m up to. My social media feed is full of 60-year-old men with 30-year-old bodies. Programs flood my feed…
This morning, I had a 9 AM Zoom meeting of the Policy Committee for CrossNet Ministries. This past year I was invited to serve on the CrossNet Board and then assigned to the Policy Committee. We meet periodically to review and update documents—things like bylaws, policies, and procedures. Exciting stuff. Because of this unmovable appointment, everything in my morning was carefully timed. I had an early morning breakfast with Don Reynard at Zig’s Café in Lititz. Google Maps said it…
Last week I took my parents to Sequoia National Park in California. My mom and dad have had a lifelong dream of seeing the giant sequoias. I remember my mother talking about them when I was a boy, when we’d dream about where to go on family vacation. To my young imagination, it sounded like some faraway enchanted land—like Narnia—where you might stumble upon talking animals or wood dwarves. As kids, we had an old View-Master with a reel of…
I think I may be the slowest hiker in the world. Last Saturday, I took our little beagle, Chloe, out for a walk on a two-mile loop up on Welsh Mountain. She’s built low to the ground with stubby little legs, and takes maybe five inches per stride. Yet even she turned back on her leash to give me a disapproving look. Truth is, I’m not getting any faster the older I get. That little hike reminded me of one…
We live in challenging times. Every headline seems to shout fear, division, and despair. It’s easy to get swept along and forget who we really are in Christ. More than ever, the world needs Christians who know who they are — not just in their head, but in their bones. This past Sunday we began our fall series, What If It’s True? — Life-Changing Truths We Believe but Don’t Always Live Out. The first message asked, “What if it’s true…
This past Sunday my friend Pastor Dave Falconer from Jamaica Link Ministries spoke at Bethany. His message, The Rescue Mission, focused on the four men who carried their paralyzed friend and lowered him through the roof to Jesus. Dave highlighted their faith, determination, and the way the healing hinged on friends who wouldn’t quit. Then yesterday morning I was enjoying a rare quiet minute in my office when my door flew open and in burst Miki Clouser. Miki and I…
This Sunday at Bethany, we celebrate Communion together. I’m especially excited because, with the holiday weekend, we’ll gather in one worship service (10 AM—just a reminder!). And the kids will be with us, too. So as families and as one big family we’ll join in a celebration the church has shared for 2,000 years. In the ancient world, sharing a meal carried deep meaning. To eat with someone was to open your life to them. A meal meant trust, intimacy,…