Author Archives: Mark

A Christmas Crisis

Posted on November 30, 2021 by Mark

It was a personal crisis he could never have imagined. Joseph is taken completely by surprise when he learns that Mary, his future wife, is pregnant. Joseph knew he was not the father. Mary had told him of the angel … Continue reading →

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Back to Work

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Mark

It is no secret that businesses in our communities and across the United States are on a desperate search to hire workers. Incentives to go back to work continue to increase, with sign-on bonuses and even pet insurance being offered … Continue reading →

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Staying True in Persecution

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Mark

What is at stake for Christians facing persecution today is the same as what is at stake for every believer who wants to follow Christ. Continue reading →

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It May Sting but It Doesn’t Have to Stick

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Mark

I read the lines a few times to make sure I understood what I was being accused of. Even though I didn’t believe it was true, the accusation still stung. Words can do that whether or not they are true, … Continue reading →

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Caught in the Storm

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Mark

Darkness was setting in as Jesus’ disciples launched their boat onto the open waters of the Sea of Galilee. After miraculously feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people, Jesus had instructed the disciples to cross the sea and return … Continue reading →

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Living by Faith in Uncertain Times

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Mark

We are living in the midst of a host of uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.  People are isolating and hoarding.  Schools and establishments are being closed and events cancelled.  How serious is this?  Well, they’ve cancelled school, college, and … Continue reading →

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“We Will Not Quit!”

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Mark

The parable of Jesus in Luke 18:1-8 has been titled “The Unjust Judge” and “The Persistent Widow. Which is it? Is the parable about an unjust judge or is it about a persistent widow? It’s about both and if we … Continue reading →

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“Nothing in My Hands I Bring”

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Mark

Martin Luther died a public death.  His death was not public in the same way as his hero John Huss’ death was 131 years earlier.  Huss was condemned a heretic by the Council of Constance, handed over to the civil authorities, and publicly burned … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Church Attendance

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Mark

It is no secret that Americans do not attend church as much as they once did.  Whether Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, or Evangelical, attendance patterns overall are down.  Just over a year ago, The Pew Research Center published a report titled … Continue reading →

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The Anger and Anguish of God

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Mark

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because he ministered during times that triggered painful emotions.  But Jeremiah was only reflecting the emotions of the God he represented.  Jeremiah’s anger reflected God’s anger.  Jeremiah’s anguish was God’s anguish.  God’s people, Israel and … Continue reading →

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