Church Discipline March 23, 2009 As I am planning soon to begin a preaching series on the marks of the church, one of which is church discipline, I have reflected over our experiences here. Over the lifetime of
Small, Quick & Loving March 11, 2009 On Friday I will be travelling with several other pastors to attend an annual dinner hosted by the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The seminary will award a "[Faithful Servant Award](http://www.
Cuddle Up Like the Moon February 18, 2009 > Through the window we see the wintry sky, The curve of the waning moon Bright against its black cold; A silent reminder of the One That governs over the darkness. _ _ It casts
If Nothing Else, the Picture is Cool February 05, 2009 [http://www.firstrp.org/2008/08/21/first-rp-conference-on-mercy-ministries-announced/] This Saturday, February 7, the First Reformed Presbyterian Church is hosting their Conference on Practical Theology. Entitled The War for Poverty: Reclaiming and Restoring the
My Decision January 26, 2009 This blog has purposefully been quiet this past month.I have spent the time seeking the Lord's will about a call from the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church. Below is the letter
The Snake Hunter December 17, 2008 [http://gentlereformation.allegrodynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/python10.jpg] You have to admire the men pictured here. They are returning home from hunting an African Rock Python. Seeing how its jaws can
A Confession with My Tongue (in My Cheek) December 10, 2008 December 10, 2008 President Kenneth A. Smith Geneva College Beaver Falls, PA 15010 Dear Dr. Smith, Though I know you are a very busy man, I hope you can find just a few
Putting the Twig to the Nose December 05, 2008 When my daughter Lindsay, home for the Thanksgiving break, asked me a question the other day, at first I wondered what they were teaching her at college. "Dad, what does 'putting
Offering Thanks Like a Pilgrim November 24, 2008 [http://gentlereformation.allegrodynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/psalm100portion.jpg] Around 200 people gathered last night at Sycamore Reformed Presbyterian Church for a Thanksgiving Service. Brethren from the Elkhart, Lafayette, and West Lafayette
All A-Twitter November 19, 2008 Yet another technological wonderment has hit the internet. This will be old news for the young people, I'm sure, but hang in there for a moment while I explain it to
Forgiving Yourself? October 10, 2008 Imagine having witnessed the following: A man came running up to a police officer standing on a corner. "Sir," he shouted desperately, "someone just stole my wallet. You have to
Differing Weights & Scales September 30, 2008 [http://gentlereformation.allegrodynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mpj040926800005b15d.jpg] Though I missed it, I guess this past Sunday was "Pulpit Freedom Sunday," as some ministers decided to tell their congregations
Veiled Thoughts September 24, 2008 "Perhaps nothing is more mysterious than a veil or curtain." So began my last sermon on the mystery in Ephesians 3:1-7. And so begins this collage of "veiled thoughts&
Sicut Sagittae September 11, 2008 [http://www.sycamorerpc.org/SCA%20Website/index.html]Sycamore Covenant Academy (SCA), an academic and discipleship ministry of our congregation, opened its doors this week to start our seventh year. We are more
Beating the Jonah Syndrome September 03, 2008 [http://gentlereformation.allegrodynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/hurricane_gustav.jpg] As Hurricane Gustav churned in the Gulf of Mexico a few days ago, reports circulated that it could grow into a monster
I am the Lord's! August 27, 2008 This past Sunday, after a year of special preparation, five teen-aged young ladies professed their faith publicly at Sycamore Reformed Presbyterian Church. Centering my preaching on Isaiah 44:3-5, where God promises the
Rolling in the Light August 14, 2008 A blogger's inner musings: _What about reviewing some of the great books I've been reading - Rutherford's Letters, Keller's The Reason of God, Owen on
On Our Twenty-Third Anniversary August 03, 2008 _To my beloved wife, Miriam. For in you I see_.Our blissful union, What sweet communion! God’s fragrant rose of Sharon to me, My lily in life’s valleys, Your love is
Are You Taking Care of Business? July 27, 2008 On Saturday, July 26th, I participated in the funeral of George Todd [http://www.fisherfuneralchapel.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/5658], a family friend and the father of Angi Hindman, a former member
Forgiveness in Rwanda July 09, 2008 In the first months of our marriage, Miriam and I signed up to support a child through Compassion International [http://www.compassion.com/default.htm], a ministry that with a few dollars each
92 Years and Psalm 92 June 18, 2008 Paul Faris, a founding member of the Sycamore congregation, will celebrate his ninety-second birthday next week. As I reflected on Paul's influence on my own life, I wanted to share it
On Compassionate Conservatism June 10, 2008 In April I had the privilege of sitting in a meeting where Marvin Olasky, editor of WORLD [http://www.worldmag.com/]magazine and author of The Tragedy of American Compassion, met with a
Notable Quotables June 02, 2008 Along with around 300 others including our interns Bill and Jason, I attended the Banner of Truth Conference at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, last week. The Banner [http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/
Fish in a Bowl May 26, 2008 Goldie and Boldie were goldfish who lived in a fishbowl. They were happy there - for a while anyway - as their bowl was a nice little place for them to dwell. The
Biblical Education May 21, 2008 On Friday, May 16th, Sycamore Covenant Academy [http://www.sycamorerpc.org/linkedpages/congregation/sca.html] (SCA) held its annual Silent Auction & Fundraising Banquet. Over eighty students, parents, grandparents and friends gathered for
