“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature,...

Day Four: Wednesday We don’t know what Jesus did on what is traditionally called, Spy Wednesday. It is called Spy Wednesday because it is the day on which Judas Iscariot met with the Jewish priests and made plans for the betrayal, hence the name “spy.” Scholars speculate that after the...

Ever wonder what the days of Holy Week mean? Each day depicts something significant during the last week Christ walked on this earth. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday, Jesus began His death march to Jerusalem. (Mark 11:1-11) He knew where He was going and why. As...

Grow With Faith April: Faith Join us each month as we Grow with Faith. Use the prompts as conversation starters with your family and friends or for guided journaling. Hebrews 11:1 (The Voice) “Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities...

Jim, Vivvy, and I usually walk around the mall for exercise late Saturday afternoons. When we get home, we indulge in big, hot pretzels. Pretzels didn’t originate as an after-walk-snack. They were usually eaten once a year, during Lent. Pretzels first became popular as a Lenten food for Christians in...

I’ve been having a bit of exercise dysfunction this year, especially after my latest birthday. Used to be, I would get up very early and do a complete workout, including a vigorous exercise bike ride and weight lifting. I don’t know what happened, but somehow that means the bike is...

Theology of War Rev. Jaci McNeil Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine Wednesday, February 23rd (2022). If you’ve been following the news, you know the conflict that has been simmering since the 2014 annexation of Crimea has been kicked into overdrive. Russia and Ukraine have a complicated legacy, which dates back thousands...

As we continue our series “ A Lifestyle of Prayer”, Larry Phippin is sharing with us today When, Where, and Why We Pray. We asked Larry to write this article because of his ardent belief in prayer, which grew during his granddaughter’s bout with 4th stage Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Larry testifies...

Why Observe Lent? I was in my 30s when I first began to observe Lent. Previously, I held to the Reformation view of Lent. The Reformation of the 16th Century applied the principle, sola scriptura to everything, including the practice of Lent. Sola scriptura means, Scripture only. So, since Lent...

Join us each month as we Grow with Faith. Use the prompts as conversation starters with your family and friends or for guided journaling. March 2022:  Harmony “Live in harmony with each other.” Romans 12:16a What does the word “harmony” mean to you? “If it is possible, as far as...