Pastor’s Blog

Daily Devotion June 29, 2023

Posted on Jun 29, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27, CEB)

Orcas have been in the news of late. News outlets report that several boats have been rammed by pods of orcas near the Iberian Peninsula. Three boats have been sunk as a result of the orca uprising.

Scientists believe the marine mammals are following the lead of an orca named White Gladis. Some speculate that Gladis initiated this new behavior because she was protecting her newborn calf. Others think she is just having fun. Whatever the reason, White Gladis has established a trend as other orcas jump onto the bandwagon.

Daily Devotion June 28, 2023

Posted on Jun 28, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:41, NIV)

The world-renowned gymnastics coach, Liang Chow, claims that “A champion isn’t made of muscle; a champion is made of heart.”

Daily Devotion June 27, 2023

Posted on Jun 27, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“When Moses’s; arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. 13 In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites” (Exodus 17:12-14, GNT).

I do not live far from the former Voice of America park located in Butler County, Ohio. During World War II, the station broadcasted its messages in fifty-three different languages to nations across the globe. The hope was to counteract the propaganda spread by America’s enemies.
The project eventually was shut down in 1994.

Daily Devotion June 23, 2023

Posted on Jun 23, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

Now pick twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one per tribe. The soles of the priests’ feet, who are carrying the chest of the Lord, ruler of the whole earth, will come to rest in the water of the Jordan. At that moment, the water of the Jordan will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand still in a single heap” (Joshua 3:12-13, CEB).

The book of Joshua sounds a bit like the story of “How the West Was Won.” There are epic battles between the Tribes of Israel and her enemies. Following the time of war, Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses, apportioned regions of the country to each of the twelve tribes.

Daily Devotion June 22, 2023

Posted on Jun 22, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard” (1 Kings 21:15-16, NIV).

I dislike bullies. As long as I can remember I have championed the underdog. When I see an individual being bullied by another, my blood boils.

Daily Devotion June 21, 2023

Posted on Jun 21, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6, NIV)

My wedding gift to Cathy was Annabelle. Annabelle was a timid but loving Lhasa Apso. Annabelle also had a need of frequent grooming. Being a young, poor seminary family, I offered to trim Annabelle’s mane. Cathy was hesitant. I reassured my wife that cutting a dog’s hair is just like trimming bushes. Sadly, I recognized too late that unlike bushes, dogs tend to wiggle when running a pair of shears over their skin. Poor Annabelle came away from the experience looking like she’d been in a fight with Edward Scissorhands.