Hospitality: A Relationship of Giving and Receiving

Just what is hospitality? When we think about hospitality and the bible, we generally think about Martha and Mary hosting Jesus. And, we generally believe that Mary got it right. The truth is, neither one of them got it quite right! Why you might ask? It is helpful to remember the origin and definition of biblical hospitality.… Continue reading Hospitality: A Relationship of Giving and Receiving

Pork Tenderloin Dinner To Benefit Mercy Children’s Home in Nepal is This Friday, April 29

This Friday, April 29, Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren will be hosting a Pork Tenderloin Dinner from 4:00pm-8:00pm in the Church Multi-Purpose Area.  Proceeds from the meal will benefit the Mercy Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal.  Members of First Church visited Mercy Children’s Home during a mission trip to Nepal in 2012.   The… Continue reading Pork Tenderloin Dinner To Benefit Mercy Children’s Home in Nepal is This Friday, April 29

Pork Tenderloin Dinner to Benefit Mercy Children’s Home in Nepal is This Friday, April 29

This Friday, April 29, Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren will be hosting a Pork Tenderloin Dinner from 4:00pm-8:00pm in the Church Multi-Purpose Area.  Proceeds from the meal will benefit the Mercy Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal.  Members of First Church visited Mercy Children’s Home during a mission trip to Nepal in 2012.   The… Continue reading Pork Tenderloin Dinner to Benefit Mercy Children’s Home in Nepal is This Friday, April 29

Pork Tenderloin Dinner to Benefit Mercy Children’s Home in Nepal is this Friday, April 29

This Friday, April 29, Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren will be hosting a Pork Tenderloin Dinner from 4:00pm-8:00pm in the Church Multi-Purpose Area.  Proceeds from the meal will benefit the Mercy Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal.  Members of First Church visited Mercy Children’s Home during a mission trip to Nepal in 2012.   The… Continue reading Pork Tenderloin Dinner to Benefit Mercy Children’s Home in Nepal is this Friday, April 29

It’s. All. About. Love.

Who doesn’t love to hear the parable of the prodigal son? Or the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin? We love hearing these stories about God’s immense love for us and being reminded of our value as children of God. But there’s the rub. These stories are not necessarily about us. They… Continue reading It’s. All. About. Love.

sacrifices and offerings and tithes…oh my!

When  our church began a sermon series a few Sundays ago, I shared about the significant correlation between a church’s spiritual health and the health of a church’s giving by using the example of giving as a spiritual thermometer. Our giving says something about our faith and our relationship with God. The story of the widow’s… Continue reading sacrifices and offerings and tithes…oh my!

the grace of giving

In May of 2000, I lost someone very dear to me… my stepfather, Daddy Bill. He died about three weeks before we returned from Italy. Daddy Bill was in a very real sense my father… he provided security, stability and love for me as a teenager desperately needing a father. One thing I loved about… Continue reading the grace of giving

So you want to be missional?

For some time now, I have reflected deeply on what it means to encourage the church to become more missional. I am reminded of a parable that Jesus shared in Luke 14, “”Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if… Continue reading So you want to be missional?

the inspiration of others

There are moments in our lives when God uses people to inspire us and till up some of the hard soil in order to prepare us for the new growth that he is bringing about. I will never forget attending a recent homecoming event at Eastern Mennonite University and hearing the recipient of the Distinguished… Continue reading the inspiration of others