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03 Feb

February 3, 2009 |

Jim Bolich, pastor of Prince Street Church (Shippensburg, Pa.), is preaching through Philemon. Paul wrote to Philemon, a wealthy man, about Onesiumus, a slave who stole something and then fled…and then became a Christian. Jim, on his blog, mentioned two principles. Here is the first one:

Principle 1: Don’t deny your problems; face them.

A lot of people go through life denying that their problems exist. It’s like holding a lit firecracker and telling yourself it isn’t going to blow up. But it will. And when it does, severe pain and destruction will happen.

So…what’s your problem? What’s the lit firecracker in your life? Onesimus took a handwritten letter back to the guy who had the authority to kill him, trusting God with the results. God intervened, and He can for us, too.

What’s your problem…the thing that threatens to overwhelm you? Whatever it is, give it a name. Quit denying the problem. Allow God to change your life. Face it, despite the potential consequences. And trust God with the outcome.

03 Feb

February 3, 2009 |

You might be interested in this. The South Mountain UB church of Dillsburg, Pa., withdrew from the denomination on October 8. A Pennsylvania website, Pennlive.com, reports that this congregation has merged with an Assembly of God congregation in Dillsburg.

The Assemblies congregation, called Celebration, had a pastor, but no building; they were renting a banquet room at a golf course. South Mountain had a large but underused facility, but had just lost its pastor.

They worked out their differences, and joined forces. The article says membership now stands at 300.

02 Feb

February 2, 2009 |

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The Huntington University women’s basketball program raised $2,007 for breast cancer research through a Pink Out event held Saturday.

The team presented a check to Heidi Floyd, development ambassador for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, following its game against Grace College. Funds were raised through donations in lieu of a game-day admission charge as well as through T-shirt and pink popcorn sales.

All of the funds donated to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer are directed toward breast cancer research.

Beth Goldsmith (top right), a breast cancer survivor and former assistant coach of the Huntington University women’s basketball team, spoke at halftime. Goldsmith’s sister passed away from the disease, and her mother is currently fighting it.

“I am grateful for this journey,” she told the crowd. “It hasn’t changed my life goals and purpose, but it has expanded them.” Goldsmith said she was pleased to come back and support “a coach, a program and an institution that I respect so much.”

Also at halftime, 35 breast cancer survivors were recognized and presented with a Pink Elephants Candle of Hope from the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.

The Huntington University Foresters are currently ranked 12th by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

02 Feb

February 2, 2009 |

I am reading through the Scriptures once again following a chronological plan. Several things struck me as I am reading through Exodus and the accounts of the plagues. For example, the interplay between God saying he sovereignly hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh hardening his own heart.

But the key thought that struck me most this time had to do with the Lord saying several times, “I make a distinction between my people and your people.” At least three times when he brings a plague on the Egyptians, he protects the Israelites and the land of Goshen from that plague. The people of Egypt see the distinction, and because of that, they are favorably disposed to Moses and the Israelites.

A distinction. To mark someone or something out as different. To make a comparison between. To use as an illustration that is apart from the norm. To separate out as something admirable.

What a great description of God’s people. We are illustrations. We are protected from the consequential disasters that fall on others because of our relationship with the Lord. We are shown by the Lord as different, holy. When the Lord uses our lives to reflect the difference, people will see and hear and give him glory.

Do you see the distinction? Do you acknowledge how the Lord protects? Do you find that people are drawn by what they see happening in your life?

We have a loving Father who keeps watch over us. His purpose is to show everyone himself through us. He distinguishes us from those around us. And the ultimate end is that people will be apt to revere him because of what they see in our lives.

I’m grateful for such a wondrous God.

29 Jan

January 29, 2009 |

Salem UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) is holding a missions conference March 25-29 (Wednesday through Saturday). Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, will speak three times:

  • Friday night (March 28), 7 p.m.
  • Saturday morning (March 29), 11 a.m.
  • Saturday night (March 29), 7 p.m.

You can call the church for further information: 263-4123.

29 Jan

January 29, 2009 |

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Every year, United Brethren youth workers meet in Daytona, Fla, for the UB Youth Workers Summit. You can now register online for this event.
The Summit is held at First UB church in Holly Hill, Fla. The registration fee is:

  • Before April 1: $90.
  • After April 1: $110.

The registration fee covers the cost of:

  • Materials
  • Speakers
  • Lodging (the church has lodging facilities, so there are no hotel costs).
  • All breakfasts and lunches (some dinners will be on your own).

Because of space limitations, this is designed for the “lead” youth worker at churches. Send the person who leads your youth ministry, whether fulltime, part-time, or volunteer. It’s a great chance to rub shoulders with other UB youth workers and gain insights to help you minister more effectively to your teens.

27 Jan

January 27, 2009 |

I remember a young man who had come to faith in one of the churches I pastored. His wife was already a believer. They just had their first child. Anyway, in a sermon I talked about how the man of the house is responsible for seeing that prayer takes place in the family.

Well this young man came to me and told me he didn’t know how to pray–not even to give thanks before a meal.

“What time do you eat your evening meal?” I asked him.

“About 5:30,” he said.

I told him, “I’ll be there tomorrow night and teach you how to return thanks for the meal.”

I did that several times before he told me he could do it. Then I asked him whether he prayed with his new baby when they put him down for the night. He said he didn’t know how. “When do you put your baby to bed?” I asked him. And for a couple nights, I showed up at their house, showing him how to pray over his new child until he told me he thought he could do it.

The point is–don’t assume that people know how to pray.

26 Jan

January 26, 2009 |

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Jessica Hollopeter has been approved as a missionary with Global Ministries. She will be working with OMS International.

Jessica is our first applicant approved to the “Sojourn” category. She will be an employee of Global Ministries working as a Missions Journalist for both OMS International and Global Ministries. She will be based in Greenwood, Ind., and make a number of trips per year throughout the world, bringing back stories of what God is doing.

Jessica is looking for prayer and financial partners and would love for you to contact her. Her email is jessica.hollopeter@gmail.com. Her annual budget will be approximately $50,000, and she will be raising outfitting funds for a new camera and notebook computer.

Jessica, a recent Huntington University graduate, is the youngest daughter of Jason and Donna Hollopeter.