William “Bill” Dougherty, of Burnham, holds the whale he carved during a “Jonah Sermon Series” at Parkview Church of the Brethren during the Lenten season. When Pastor Teresa Fink asked Bill how he might use his wood-carving talents for the church, he didn’t try to “run away” ...
But every woman shall ask of her neighbor — so shall you plunder the Egyptians. Exodus 3:22 Last week, we saw how Jacob served Laban for seven years to obtain his first wife, and another seven to get the second (Genesis 31:41). He worked for Laban a total of twenty. The time Jacob served Laban was in increments of seven years while trying to obtain his wives. When Moses received the law from God, the seven-year period was included. “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts (Deuteronomy 15:1).” But keep in mind, the law that God gave to Moses at Mount ...
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Have you ever been criticized? How did it make you feel? Some people can say very unfair, negative things at times. Paul knew what it was like to be criticized. In the New Testament church there was a group of people known as the Judaizers who wanted to keep Christianity as a Jewish sect. Since Paul was determined to take the faith to the Gentiles, these Judaizers looked for every opportunity to find fault with him. They accused him of being in the ministry just for the money. The truth was Paul supported himself as a tent maker after he began his ministry so he ...
And when you send him away from you you shall not let him go empty-handed Deuteronomy 15:11 A lady applied for a job at a local bank. There was an opening, and it was a teller's job. As a teller, she had to deal with all kinds of people, but she tried to do a good job. Her goal was to represent the bank in a professional way, while also being kind and understanding toward the customers. Her work ethic paid off, and she began to climb the ladder of success. She was given an office job and also helped some of the workers who couldn’t seem to get their work done. After 33 years of ...
There is one message that has never lost its power, never grown outdated, and never failed to reach the human heart. It is the message the apostle Paul declared plainly: “We preach Christ crucified.” That message still stands today. Jesus Christ was crucified, He was buried, and He rose again from the dead. This is not merely a story remembered at Easter. It is the foundation of salvation and the only hope for mankind. The cross was not symbolic. It was brutal. Crucifixion was one of the most horrific deaths known in the Roman world. It was slow, agonizing, and certain. And Jesus ...
You may have heard by now that Theil Kauffman, longtime owner of the Friendship Bookstore, passed away. Theil was widely known and loved in the community. He will be greatly missed. I only knew Theil for a few years, but I am grateful for our friendship and the impact he had on me. For a time, I was privileged to be his pastor. In so many ways, Theil was special. Here are just a few of the ways I will remember him. A Bible man The first time I visited Friendship Bookstore, I was impressed by the large selection of Bible’s it contained. As I chatted with Theil that day, it was ...
