Blog: November 2018

What would you say are the gains and losses that come with reading a digital Bible—that is, reading Scripture online or with an app on your phone?  “Gains and losses” is good way to put it; it’s a complex issue. Book lovers should remember that God’s Word is not paper and ink, but rather the words in their context as revealed by God through the human authors of the biblical writings.  So there’s nothing inherently sacred about printed pages over against electronic screens.  Plus, the power of digital tools to help us find resources and ...

Jacob found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. After stealing his older brother’s blessing, he fled his home to escape Esau’s anger. He spent time with his uncle Laban, got married, and fathered many children. Overall, Jacob prospered. God blessed him, but Jacob’s time with his uncle Laban did not end well. Laban’s sons accused Jacob of taking their father’s wealth. God was with Jacob and when He told Jacob to leave, Jacob did not hesitate. He gathered his family and all of his possessions and headed home to Canaan with Laban in ...

Friends, here's an overview of December events at our church: December 1, Women’s Christmas Tea, 11:00 a.m., with guest speaker Cara Blondo December 2, 1st Sunday of Advent, Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. December 2, The Hope of Christmas, all ages combined in FLC during Sunday School for Advent Celebration, 10:00-10:45 a.m. December 8, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. December 9, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m., Sunday School for all ages at 10:00 December 11, Young Adult Christmas Party, Nichols ...

This Thanksgiving weekend, let me affirm the practice of expressing horizontal gratitude—that is, to each other.  It’s fitting to convey appreciation to one another, whether for large or small kindnesses. Speaking of which:  I am so thankful to you, my Goshen family, for all the ways you encourage and support and challenge me and partner with me in this wonderful venture of being the church! Plus, there are many reasons to be grateful to our families and close friends for their loving presence in our lives.  Also, I’m thankful to ...

When Isaac and Rebekah sent Jacob away from his home in the promised land of Canaan to escape the wrath of his brother Esau, Rebekah expected him to be gone for a few days—just until Esau calmed down. (Gen. 27:44) But days and then weeks and then months passed; Jacob was with Laban for twenty years. (Gen. 31:38) Before Jacob left home, Isaac blessed him and instructed him to find a wife among his relatives. And that’s what Jacob did. On his way to Laban’s house, God appeared to Jacob at Bethel in a dream and gave Jacob the same covenant He ...

What does it mean that God is with us?  If we say, “God be with you,” or we pray that the Lord would “be with” a loved one, what are we really getting at? God’s presence with his people is a glorious fact:  he will “never leave you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5); in fact, you can’t escape his presence (Psalm 139).  Although Jesus departed bodily, through the Spirit he remains with us “to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20).  Knowing that the Almighty is with us gives us reason not to fear but be at peace:  “Fear not, I am with you…” (Isa 41:10).  ...

Jacob and Esau were rivals before birth. They struggled in the womb, and Jacob was born grabbing onto Esau’s heel. Even though he was younger, Jacob convinced Esau to sell him his birthright for some stew. When Isaac was old and blind, the time came for Isaac to bless Esau. With the blessing came the privilege afforded to the firstborn—leadership over the family. With Rebekah’s guidance, Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s blessing. In his anger, Esau planned to kill Jacob. Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Laban until ...

The last couple weeks we’ve been refocusing on God’s mission for his church—for us—here and now.  You see, we’re on assignment; we’ve been commissioned to testify about Jesus Christ, Lord of the nations:  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).  Witnesses take an oath to tell the truth, and testifying of Jesus means speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15). We testify that eternal hope in Christ is relevant ...

Hebrews 2:1 says, Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. And just what does “therefore” recall from ch. 1?  In short:  Christ supreme!  The Son of God is heir of all things, creator of the world, radiance of God’s glory, exact imprint of God’s nature, sustainer of the universe, infinitely superior to the angels, and the one who achieved cleansing for our sin—our only hope of forgiveness!—and sat down on the throne of God. And since Jesus is so magnificent, it would be insane for us to ...