Author: John Smith

By Anthony Gammage “How could such a good and loving God allow my Mom to die such a horrific death?” a student asked me from across the table in the student union at James Madison University. I sat dumbfounded, totally unable to respond to his question. Given that I too had experienced death and suffering...

By Debbie Leonard Long ago God had a plan To rescue me, and all of man. He would send Jesus, His only Son To die for sins, He’d be the one. An angel came to Mary told A baby soon your arms will hold. This baby God’s own Son will be The answer to man’s...

By Corey Pierce I had only attended New Life for a few weeks before the annual fall Men’s Retreat approached. Shannon and I were engaged to be married, and I felt oddly drawn to this gathering of men. Usually I would have avoided such a thing because I didn’t like standing alongside other men who...

By Susan Geiger Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 This is a hard word for some us: “give thanks in all circumstances.” There are many in our body who are enduring tremendous suffering and trial. I...

In celebration of Advent and Christmas Day We invite you to participate in an activity that may Result in a line or two about Jesus’ birth Or bring about a chuckle of holiday mirth. No one is too young or to too old to take part In this exercise of poetic art. The lines may...

By Julie Lowe This week, we asked to borrow from Julie’s professional blog published by CCEF. Look at the bottom for more information about CCEF. As a parent, I want to create opportunities to have meaningful and fruitful conversations with my children. I often use role-playing as a means to accomplish that goal. Role-playing is...

By Ward Shope This month, the Session received a question from a member of the congregation. The question revealed personal pain this person has experienced and, on some level, continues to experience due to a broken past. Some of the elders were familiar with background events, and two were appointed to meet with this person...

By Holly Tuttle This month marks the one-year anniversary from when I was able to bring my adopted daughter, Ilona, home to the U.S. from Latvia. As I look back on this past year, I am truly amazed at all God has done to make this a reality for both of us. She needed a...

By Chrissy Kind Many of you may know that our next Red Cross Blood Drive is this Friday, November 7, from 1:30 pm-6:30 pm. Of course, I’m hoping that anyone reading this will donate. There’s a link at the bottom to make it even easier. So why is this “blood” thing such a passion of...

By Jon Eide, Christian Worker assigned to Ukraine There are as many reasons people give to persecute Christians as there are countries where they are persecuted. In the conflicted region in eastern Ukraine, the current reason of choice for persecution is that Christianity is a Western religion. It should be kicked out along with the...

By Jacob Lee What happens when you take away the junior high students’ favorite retreat place and replace it with a completely new one? What happens when you take away the big, shaggy dog that everyone loves to pet on their way to the familiar chapel? What happens when you break the news to your...

By Laurel Kehl 200 million. That’s the number of believers presently facing persecution. 60% of those are children. There are stories coming out of Iraq of children who are refusing to give up their faith in Jesus when asked to do so by their ISIS captors. When they refuse…they are killed in front of their...