None Of Us Can Imagine. . . But We Need To Know. . .
With the permission of Spencer and Kristin, I’m writing today’s blog. It’s not an easy blog to write. Spencer and Kristin have spent the last few months living through the unimaginable. They are working through the grief of losing their…
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Parent Ministry and CPYU – 3 Freebies!
With the school year back in swing and youth group going full speed ahead, I trust you’re thinking about how to best connect with and equip parents as they fulfill their God-given role as those primarily responsible for the spiritual…
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Jasmyn Smith. . . 11-Year-Old Bullying Victim. . .
Jasmyn Smith Maybe it’s because stories like these are becoming more and more common that this one – as tragic as it is – has sort of fallen through the cracks. It happened here in Lancaster County where I live.…
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Sex Addicts, Nazis, Mormons, and Dysfunction. . . or, What I Read On My Summer Vacation.
You might think that a summer structured intentionally for rest would be filled with reading that would do nothing but allow you to escape. Yes, I did read a couple of those books this summer. But when a friend asked…
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Cecilia Gimenez And Her Good Intentions. . . .
You’ve heard it said that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I’m not sure that there’s a connect between that familiar saying and the good intentions shown by 80-year-old Cecilia Gimenez, but I’m guessing that there are…
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Sitting By The Grave. . . .
On Sunday afternoon I drove home from my son and daughter-in-law’s place after a short visit. I was enjoying listening to Robin Mark’s latest worship CD, Fly. While heading east on 581 just before crossing the Susquehanna River to the Harrisburg…
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What Voice Are You Listening To? . . .
Let me be a bit transparent here. While I’m a bit hesitant to open myself up, I know that my transparency will most likely reveal something that’s not only a personal struggle for me, but a personal struggle for anyone…
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Youth Pastor Indicted. . . Good Intentions and Poor Judgment. . .
I’m sure the campfire would burn long into the night if it was surrounded by youth workers sharing stories of the risky, dangerous, and downright stupid things they had done over the years. . . all in the name of…
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Age, Arthritis, and Making a Difference. . .
I’ve come to the conclusion that if we aren’t thinking theologically, we’re missing out on some valuable lessons, some much-needed perspective, and a deep sense of relief. Some people say that our calling is to view all of life through…
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Penn State, The NCAA, And Us. . . Some Thoughts. . .
Rewind one year. Put yourself back in that time and place. Now that you’re there, think about college sports, the NCAA, Penn State football, Joe Paterno, and the issue of child sexual abuse. Now, fast-forward 12 months to today. Who…
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Depth Needed: Responding to A Theater Shooting, Lady Gaga, and Everything Else Wrong With the World
“Satan Afflicting Job” by William Blake I don’t think there are easy answers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t answers. I’ve been thinking about that all week since our pastor, Michael Rogers, preached a challenging sermon on the first chapter…
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Bicycles, Tacks, a Crying 14-Year-Old, and Sportsmanship. . .
I often wonder if our culture’s most revered golden calf is sport. Of course, you can build a case that money, sex and power are the most seductive idols we face, but even that trio combines to tarnish what sport…
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