By Joel A. Hess - You’re preaching to the choir! We say this when someone says something we’ve already heard and know, when we think it’s a waste of time. Sadly, I have thought this many times, maybe even said it. This phrase enters my dumb head when I’m writing a sermon every week or … Continue reading The choir needs preaching too
By Cindy Koch - We live in a place and time where an ancient story of truth is hushed and ridiculed. The characters have been hidden; the vocabulary has been censored. The world attacks this story by shaming and confusing us with shadows of freedom. Our society mangles this simple story that breathes in the … Continue reading Women’s Freedom or Submission?
By Paul Koch - Before us today is one of the most enduring and well-known parables of our Lord. The famous story of the prodigal son is one that most Christians are already fairly comfortable with. You’ve probably heard a sermon or two on this text, so you’ve most likely already drawn a few conclusions … Continue reading What Wondrous Love is This
By Tim Winterstein - One thing you notice about Hirokazu Kore-eda's debut as a director of a feature film (he made three documentaries) is his patience. Maborosi (1995; I watched it with a free trial of Fandor on Amazon Prime) shows that patience from the very beginning. I didn't count, but I'd guess that the … Continue reading Walking Toward Life
By Paul Koch – It was an Easter Day brunch at the church. Everyone was all smiles and dressed up and having a good time. There was ample food, and the kids were excited to do the traditional egg hunt. It was fun. It was a celebration and rightly so. For this is the day … Continue reading Forgiving the Forgivers
By Joel A. Hess - “Why would God allow that?” she mumbled through tears as she sat bent over with her head in her hands. It was too awful for me to offer some shallow divine plan. What answer would really matter? Even if God Himself told her every detail of why her child drowned, … Continue reading Why do good things happen to bad people?
By Cindy Koch - Wherever you look you will find me there In the heart of a rose, In the heart of a prayer On butterflies’ wings, on wings of my own, To you I’m gone, but I’m never alone – I am home.” Death is a terrifying enemy. We all know that. Most of … Continue reading Embezzled Comfort
