Blog: September 2019

Jonah lived during the time Jeroboam II was king over Israel, mere decades before the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed. Jonah was a prophet—and while he is best known as the man who was swallowed by a big fish when he tried to run away from God, his story continues beyond chapter 2 to reveal what Jonah knew all along: God is “a gracious and compassionate God” (John 4:2b). Jonah’s account centers around the compassion of God, not only for the people of Israel but for people throughout the earth—even Israel’s worst enemies. Nineveh ...

At our September 15 congregation business meeting, the Elders intro­duced a pro­posal to remove the word “Baptist” from our church name.  And last Sunday during our worship gatherings, Elder Chair­man Russ Nixon shared this recommenda­tion with the church family.  (See the insert in this bulletin for a summary of the issues & process.) So what’s in a name?  And what do we communicate through our long-standing church name, “Goshen Baptist Church”? The answer is, “It depends on who’s being asked.”  For some, the name is neutral, almost ...

Goshen Baptist Church invites you to join us for our annual Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 20, 3:00-5:00 p.m.  This is a family-friendly, FREE event with food and fun for all ages.  Participants visit decorated car trunks and collect candy and prizes!  So put on your favorite costume, grab your friends and family, and meet us in the Family Life Center parking lot.  We look forward to seeing you at Trunk or Treat 2019!   Trunk or Treat 2016 Trunk or Treat 2017 Trunk or Treat 2018

After Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind, his successor Elisha continued Elijah’s work as a prophet to Israel. God used him, like Elijah, to perform miracles —multiplying the oil of a poor widow, raising a Shunammite woman’s son from the dead, purifying a poisoned pot of stew, and more. At this time, Israel was ruled by King Joram. The land of Aram to the northeast (located in present-day Syria) was ruled by King Ben-hadad. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman—the commander of the army for the king of Aram—sought out Elisha for healing of a skin ...

Every now and then you run into people who like Jesus but don’t like the church.  They tend to say something like, “Jesus was loving and forgiving, he cared for the poor and disadvantaged, and he was an advocate of social justice.  But the church has lost touch with him and has become shrill, judgmental, and mean-spirited.” Before I note the serious problem with this viewpoint, let me quickly agree that Jesus definitely was and is loving and forgiving, etc.—yes.  And let me concede that, sadly, professing Christians some­times have been ...

Never Forget, a phrase we all use to remember a time our nation lost so many dear ones. We won't forget what happened and what was done. How can we forget the emergency teams that came from multiple states to help serve and protect - to literally save lives that day! For many of our teens and pre-teens who weren't alive, weren't there, they can't possibly forget such a significant event because they heard the stories, have been taught the history, maybe even their family or youth director was directly affected. September 11, 2001 was a day ...

Following God’s great display of power at Mount Carmel, Elijah fled for his life and traveled to Mount Horeb where he encountered God in a soft whisper. God instructed Elijah to anoint a man named Elisha as his successor. Elijah found Elisha plowing a field. Elijah put his cloak over Elisha to show that Elisha would be a prophet like Elijah. Elisha followed Elijah and served him for many years. In time, King Ahab of Israel appointed his son Ahaziah as king. When Ahaziah died, his brother Joram became king. Elijah’s ministry came to an end, ...

Rebecca McLaughlin is the author of Confronting Christianity:  Twelve Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion (Crossway, 2019).  She has a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature from Cambridge University, and a theology degree from Oak Hill College in London. I just finished reading this book, and it’s terrific—get it, read it.  Read it with your group or family or friends, and discuss it together.  Read it with those grappling with doubts and asking big questions about the Bible and faith and morality and suffering and violence and gender ...

It’s no secret that the historic, Bible-based, Christian teaching on sex has fallen into disfavor in our 21st century Western world.  Sharp criticism is leveled against the belief which has been held consistently by believers in Jesus the world over for 2,000 years—the belief that sexual intimacy is intended by God to be experienced only within the rela­tion­ship of a man and a woman in marriage. And such criticism has come not only from outside the church.  Some who profess to believe in Christ advocate for a “progressive” and “affirming” ...