In difficult and distressing times, Christians long to be freed from this body of death and translated to glory. In Psalm 6 David cries to God during a time of intense physical and emotional distress. David acknowledges suffering as discipline when he implores the Lord (Psalm 6:1, ESV): O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, … Continue reading Loving discipline, Psalm 6
Slavic Reformation Society reps visit U.S.
Eight Eurasian pastors associated with the Slavic Reformation Society (SRS) visited various locations in twelve states and met with the 2011 CREC General Council during the first week of October. The primary focus of the visit was the General Council of the CREC, formerly the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches, but now known as the … Continue reading Slavic Reformation Society reps visit U.S.
NaNoWriMo: The End
Yesterday afternoon, I reached "The End" in my NaNoWriMo novel. This very rough draft requires extensive revision, including incisive surgery. But yesterday I found out how it ends. And I validated my word count over at the NaNoWriMo website. I squeaked past the 50k word goal with 50,007 words. Tentatively titled Recipe for Disaster, the … Continue reading NaNoWriMo: The End
NaNo News: No Time To Lose!
News from the NaNo front is grim: 33,054 words at Day 25. At this rate, I'll reach the 50k word count goal on December 7. To finish on time, I'd have to write 2,825 words per day, but I have family commitments tomorrow and I don't write on Sunday. So I actually have only four … Continue reading NaNo News: No Time To Lose!
Vern Picknally installed at Fremont OPC
When Rev. Vern Picknally was installed at Fremont Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the man who charged him was the same man who challenged him to ministry. “Rev. Ken Klett, Covenant PCA in Holland, MI, gave the charge to me,” says Rev. Picknally. “He was my pastor (associate pastor, actually) in New Jersey from 1989 until … Continue reading Vern Picknally installed at Fremont OPC
Russian pastor’s faith journey
World wide communion Sunday takes on new meaning when hearing a Russian minister proclaim the gospel and testify to God’s transforming power in his life. On October 2, 2011, Rev. Ruslan Moroz spoke at the morning worship service of Christ the Redeemer Church (CREC) in Pella, IA, and at the evening service of Ebenezer Reformed … Continue reading Russian pastor’s faith journey
Compassion “above and beyond” Mt. Everest
Karen Parman and the other cancer survivors who trekked to Mt. Everest’s base camp forged an amazing bond of friendship (see her story on pages 10-14 of the August 24, 2011 Christian Renewal). Members of the group, known as the “Above and Beyond Cancer” team, made their historic trek in April of 2011, but have … Continue reading Compassion “above and beyond” Mt. Everest
God’s shield of favor, Psalm 5
Why does suffering surprise us? What makes us think we are entitled to a life free from pain or persecution? Why should life be any different for us than it was for David, a man God loved? The psalter overflow with emotional pleas for God's deliverance, and Psalm 5 begins similarly to many others: Give … Continue reading God’s shield of favor, Psalm 5
NaNo News
Those of you not on Facebook may be interested to know that I'm now over 10k words in this year's NaNoWriMo novel. Then again, you may not be interested at all, but NaNoWriMo will likely be the subject of Fiction Friday posts during November. Just to bring you up to date, I wrote 3,193 in … Continue reading NaNo News
Learning Curve
I dislike learning curves. Because my darling No. 4 Grandson loves cell phones and happened to suck on mine one day when I was being less than observant, the "OK" cover came off the middle button. No problem, I thought. I'll just super glue that little puppy back in place and I'll be good to … Continue reading Learning Curve
Glenda Faye Mathes 