Each year, I listen to a daily audio Bible podcast—and complete the Bible in one year. This year marks my sixth year through the Bible.
Why don’t I stop?
Every year, I learn new aspects of the Bible because each year, I am in a different place in my life, and the Holy Spirit speaks to me where I am.
The Bible is always fresh! It is always alive!
It is the only book that has a Living Spirit within it.
Each year, when I get to Judges in the Old Testament, I say, “Oh boy!” because I know what is ahead.
Passover begins this evening.
It is one of the most significant Jewish Holidays, commemorating when the angels of God “passed over” the Hebrews as the firstborn children and animals of the Egyptians were killed—all because Pharoah would not set the Hebrews free as God commanded.
With this final plague on Egypt, Pharoah agreed to free the Hebrews so they might begin their journey to the promised land.
God instructed the Jews to commemorate the first Passover, when they had marked their houses with blood, alerting the angels to “pass over” their homes.
Christians draw parallels in their faith,
This week, I was listening to a minister on the radio who noted that in the days after His resurrection, Jesus did not appear to Pilate to tell him that he had been wrong in ordering His crucifixion.
Jesus did not appear to the Jewish leaders and chastise them for not believing and demanding His death.
He did not appear to the Roman soldiers who nailed Him on the cross.
Why?
Today, I was drinking in the beautiful hymns of Psalm Sunday. They are majestic, powerful, and inspirational!
Among my very favorites is All Glory, Laud and Honor. When I close my eyes and listen to the lyrics, I can feel all the emotions I imagine those present at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The hope. The joy. The expectation.
As Christians, we carry the hope, joy, and expectation at our Lord’s second coming. Feel this excitement. Play this song and sing along. It is a wonderful way to enter into the spirit of Holy Week.
What are some of your favorite Holy Week Hymns/ song?
In looking at the Three Branches of Churches: Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant churches, last week we looked at the differences between the Orthodox churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
This week, we will consider the differences between the Roman Catholic church and the Protestant churches.
“People took it for granted,” said Ryan Burge, a pastor and researcher, that “the Golden Girls are not leaving. They’re going to be here no matter what.”
However, according to the article, Burge found that in the past few years, adults ages 55 to 64 report significantly reduced church attendance—down a full 10 percentage points. And, according to Burge’s research, “When people stop attending church these days, their pastors can’t expect them to return.”
The article also cites a Pew Research Center survey from December of 2017. According to this survey, just under half of Christians over age 40 who stop attending church feel they are still practicing their faith. This is true for only 25% of those age 18-29 who don’t go to church.
Less than a third of those over the age of 65 stopped because of a dislike for the Church.
There is a Place for the Small Church
My husband and I have a very long history of serving small churches. We served a small church in the suburbs of a large urban area. And we have served multiple churches in small rural areas. Some of these have been yoked. Some independent. But all small—under 100 members.
There are some difficulties in serving small churches. First, …
