Habits
Lisa Schnedler
They Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes

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.

They Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes
Lisa Schnedler
What Passover Means to Christians

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,

What Passover Means to Christians
New/Renew
Lisa Schnedler
The Days After Easter...

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?

The Days After Easter...
Lisa Schnedler
Holy Week

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?

Holy Week
New/Renew
Lisa Schnedler
An Irish Blessing

My mother is Irish—which makes me Irish as well!

One of my favorite blessings is The Irish Blessing, which is a favorite benediction of my forefathers—and so appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day!

It is a great blessing for everyone—even if you aren’t Irish!

An Irish Blessing

Church

We are the Strength of our Communities! Show them Him through You!

We are the Strength of our Communities! Show them Him through You!

So often these days, I hear how sad, lonely, tired, and depressed my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith have become with the chaos of these days and the restrictions brought on by the pandemic.

I get it!
In addition to this ministry, I work at a hospital. I have worked in hospitals now for 30+ years. Never has it been so tough. At least not in my lifetime.

But, we are called upon as the Church to be a pillar of strength in such times.

Brothers and sisters, this does not mean we ignore our feelings. You have every reason to feel discouraged, tired, and sad. Yes - every reason.

But you also have every reason to feel filled with hope, renewed energy, joy, and love.

What the Church Can Do to Come Back Bigger and Better After the Pandemic.

What the Church Can Do to Come Back Bigger and Better After the Pandemic.

Many churches have been impacted negatively by this pandemic. I have read a few conversations in blogs and on social media in which pastors and attendees wonder if the congregants will return to the pews.

Will members decide they like not having to get dressed on Sunday mornings and simply stay home, read the Bible, perhaps podcast their church service into their living room?

Or, will they return having missed what only in-person worship can provide: fellowship, those much needed hugs, in-person music, feeling the presence of God?

I think a lot rests on what the churches are doing now—

Church

Church

My husband and I love older homes. Over the course of our marriage, we have restored four historic homes.

One of the highlights of my evening reading is to review the email of Historic Homes for sale. I love to imagine fixing them up, living in their beauty.

But, something disturbing is starting to emerge on this list of beauties—historic churches for sale. Three churches hit the list today.