Thought For the Week

Dear Friends, Today (on this Christmas Eve) I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Here in Pennsylvania, it’s a “White Christmas” – answering the prayers, I am sure, of many! May the Lord Jesus be the focus of your celebration and may your heart be filled with joy during this annual observance of His birth. After all, the heavenly messengers assured the Shepherds, and through them assured us, that God’s intention was that joy would be part of the Christmas observance! And not just joy, but great joy! “I bring you good news of great joy” the angels said, “that will be for all the people. For today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.” Sometimes we can forget how good the Good News is! In addition to my own personal wish that your Christmas observance be a blessed one, I also send along this insightful Christmas reminder by Ken Shigematsu, entitled, ”An Invitation Written In the Stars.” Enjoy. “In the film ‘CONTACT,’ ...

Dear Friends, Today I came across a collection of Christian quotes focused on, ”Living the Christian Life.” There were far too many to include all, so I had to select those which I thought were the best - Thoughts for the Week. I trust you might find one or two that clarify an issue you’ve struggled with, encourage your heart, bring you to nod in agreement, or bring a smile to your face. Enjoy. “The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his own… All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching.” Charles Spurgeon “It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.” Martin Luther “Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist.” Oswald J. Smith “We talk of the Second Coming, yet half the world has never heard of ...

Dear Friends, This past Sunday marked the 1st Sunday of Advent. For some it is their favorite season of the year, culminating on Christmas Day (December 25th) in some Christian traditions, or Three Kings Day (January 6th) in other Christian traditions. Yet, because we have entered into Advent, I thought I would pass along an Advent Devotion I received from “The Lutheran Hour.” The author is Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier. It was taken from a sermon text he wrote, entitled: "God Prevails." Enjoy. "The Battle Cry of Faith" "You are stronger than I, and You have prevailed." Jeremiah 20:7 This confession, so modern and meaningful in its application, is 2,500 years old. It's an admission wrung from the lips of Jeremiah after a bitter conflict with God. Because the prophet's service to his Lord had brought opposition and gotten him beaten and locked up in the public stocks, Jeremiah would free himse...