Jonathan L. Shirk

Imagine that you’re doing some project around the house, and your neighbor comes by and asks, “Do you need a hand with that?” How kind. But you quickly respond, “No, I think

I’ve never seen a toddler run the 40. Toddlers don’t run; they toddle. Usain Bolt ran the 40! In 2019, during Super Bowl weekend, Usain Bolt ran the 40 in 4.

When God says, “You shall not murder,” how do Christians go about having a rational and civil conversation with a woman holding a sign saying, “Abortion saves lives!”? She will probably not feel

You look at your watch as you wait in line at the grocery store checkout counter. You’re in a hurry. You load your groceries onto the conveyer belt as the barcode scanner

How would you feel if you met someone who self-identified as a “Racist Christian,” or maybe an “Adulterous Christian,” or even a “Wife-Beating Christian”? As a Christian, you would be concerned,

The great United States of America has existed for 245 years, and during those years, four Presidents have been assassinated. Can you name them? Can you name them in order? Abraham Lincoln was

The boxes are unloaded from the moving truck. They’re in the house. It’s time to open the boxes and put everything where it belongs. Think of the Heidelberg Catechism (HC) as

Small Town Theologian is about gospel clarity and comfort for life (and death). The gospel should produce comfort and joy in our hearts every day as we strive by the Holy Spirit to

As I continue in pastoral ministry, the more I realize how important the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith really are, how vital it is for believers to know foundational Biblical truths well

It is evident in our culture today that many people are ready and willing to exchange the truth for absurdity. Relativism nicely illustrates the arrogance and egocentrism of human nature. None of us

Years ago, Christianity Today released an intriguing podcast titled The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. I found it to be insightful, compelling, and really well done. It’s also concerning, painful, and

What do you want your kids to see more than anything else? I hope you would say the beauty, majesty, and glory of God. Don’t you want your kids to be awestruck

Think about what you do every day, particularly the things you need to do, the things that benefit you. I sleep every day. Sleep is vital for good health. Sleep deprivation can lead

Years ago, I was driving one of my kids to piano lessons in Manheim, and I saw something interesting—an electric car parked on the street was plugged into a tree. Talk about

Imagine your son or daughter sitting at the lunch table with friends at school. The conversation moves from the weekend movie release to first-period health class to religion. One kid is an

As parents, we devote calendar space, gas, mileage, money, texts, camera clicks, social media posts, late nights, and much attention to what we value and prioritize for our kids. We sacrifice much for

My parents gave me some fantastic gifts through the years including stuffed animals, a mini basketball hoop, cold cans of soda after pitch and putt golf, and a Yamaha MX175 dirt bike. They

Every human life has value and meaning, from the fetus in the womb to the unresponsive senior citizen in hospice. Why? Because God is Creator of all human life. At least that’s

If you’ve ever been to a wedding or party with a champagne tower, it was probably an elegant and expensive affair. You were probably wearing a nice dress or suit. Maybe Versace.

Years ago, I took my oldest son, Jeremiah, to Baltimore for a father-son trip. It was a special and memorable time together that included sharks, black light mini golf, arcades, jogging, junk

Years ago, when I was working for Cintas Corporation in the Pittsburgh area, I had an interesting conversation with a coworker. We talked about spiritual things, and if my memory serves me right,

There are times in our lives when we feel we are hanging on by a thread. We don't feel confident. We don't feel assured. We don't feel

Bad theology undermines our comfort, assurance, peace, and joy in Christ. Bad theology leads to dark places. Wrong thinking and wrongdoing alike can destroy our lives or at least diminish our intimacy with

Mothers are a gift from God that we ought to receive and remember with much gratitude. Mothers sacrifice much for their children, and though everyone should be grateful for their mother, godly mothers

At the end of the appointment, the doctor said, “Well, Sophia, I recommend you go on isotretinoin. It’s potent, but it will clear up your severe acne.” Sophia was startled. She turned