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Unplug to put things in perspective
I was recently in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho where I’d joined my brothers for their mule deer hunt. Being in the mountains and being disconnected from the news – family, church, community and the world alike, as we had no cell service – put things in...
Blog Archive
How March Madness and basketball remind me of the Christian life
With March madness in full swing, I’ve had basketball on the brain. But with me being me, I’ve come up with a comparison between basketball and the Christian life. Basketball requires knowledge, practice and a team, and so does the Christian life. You see, while you...
God helped him forgive his bullies and find a voice. Here’s how.
Scott Dove, one of First Pres' commissioned lay pastors and a deacon, recently shared his faith story on the podcast "What Are We Even Doing Here?" with Daryl Updike. "From being bullied as a quiet kid, to now preaching the Word of God in a few different churches, I...
How Journey Counseling is helping those with mental-health challenges in Harrisonburg
Mental-health awareness has taken on increased importance in our nation in recent years, including at universities, such as JMU. The pandemic has only increased the need, and local and university counseling centers are often overwhelmed. In Harrisonburg, Journey...
The Courtyard, a new green space on Court Square, now open
The Courtyard is open! While we are still awaiting stage lighting and lighted crosses on the sanctuary wall, this new outdoor space is ready for you to visit for lunch, Bible study or a relaxing moment. There are two tables available, and lots of green space. The...
Worshiping the Jesus that St. Patrick proclaimed
I love the story of St. Patrick and think we can learn a lot from it. Patrick came to faith through what he suffered as a slave for six years in what was then a very pagan Ireland. After escaping, Patrick was later led by the Lord to return to Ireland as a missionary...
Will my my spiritual disciplines make God love me more?
Coming out of Ash Wednesday I fielded a couple of questions about why some Christians observe Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent while others do not. So I thought I’d share my answer more broadly. Some Christians hold back from Ash Wednesday and Lent because they...
How love for Jesus lights us up
While at the ECO National Gathering earlier this month, I heard a fantastic talk by Danielle Strickland based on Mary’s anointing of Jesus (John 12:1-10) that I keep thinking about. By way of reminder, Mary took some perfume, worth about a year’s wages, poured it on...
Why study the Psalms?
by Mary Duryea Why select Psalms, with 150 chapters, when there are 66 books to choose from, for a brief six-week study? That question echoed in my head as I kept coming back to the decision. It made much more sense to select a short book and do the whole thing....
God invites us to love
I’ve been thinking about love from a biblical point of view. Now, the Bible has a lot to say about love, and I’m particularly struck by the assertion of 1 John 4:16 that “God is love.” I’m struck by it because while it reads like a statement of fact, it is actually an...
How serving in leadership knit me to the church
by Martha Graham A handful of years ago, I was asked to join Session. Initially, I said “no.” It wasn't the right time, but after two more invitations, I eventually relented and agreed to serve—even though I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into. Frankly, it felt...