Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:10 Years ago, C.S. Lewis wrote an essay entitled, “God in the Dock.”  Just to be clear, the essay didn’t have anything to do with boats.  The word “dock” (for our dear friends in the UK) is the place where an accused person sits during a trial. Lewis’s assertion was that there had been a fundamental shift in religious perspective.  For generations believers were concerned about the need for repentance, a pending moment of judgment, and their reliance upon God’s grace ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”  Proverbs 18:15 I recently read an interesting bit of wisdom, this is loosely quoted, but you’ll get the gist; “If you think you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” Quick quips like this often make me suspicious, but the more I thought about this particular sentiment the more I came to appreciate it.  And here’s why… One of the many joys that we share is the joy of discovery.  One might think “having all the answers” would be jus ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof…” -Luke 5:18-19 Jesus had been filled with “the power of the Lord.”  On this particular occasion that power afforded Jesus the ability to heal and Jesus was healing people in great numbers.  Word of this spread and eventually “some men” brought a “paralyzed man” to Jesus. But a crowd had gathered, there was seemingly no way through that crowd.  Did the men patiently wait their turn?  Did they return h ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “The heavens are telling the glory of God…” -Psalm 19:1 Just a few weeks ago NASA published images of our universe that just happened to be about 13 billion light years away.  Maybe you have seen those images and maybe you have not, but let me assure you… the Webb Space Telescope has generated pictures that will take your breath away. What we are seeing is a universe more vast than we might have ever imagined.  And alongside the grandeur there is a temptation. It may be the quintessential temptation, to assume that we are (individually, mind you) th ..read more

Dear Friends in Christ, One of the things I will often do in order to be inspired to write something for our monthly newsletter is look up the month’s holidays. The lists that pop up in an internet search may include a more widely known day, like Christmas in December, but most often almost every day of the month is marked with something that is probably less widely known and celebrated. For example in August, just one list included 83 holidays and celebrations with August 1 having the most special days with 10. Just one day with ten celebrations, ranging from Sisters’ Day to World Lung Cancer ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’”  -Luke 12:43-44 It would be easy to question the wisdom of the poor widow.  It might not have been the best decision.  Where would she get money to eat?  Wasn’t she worried about a pending emergency, an occasion when she would need those extra fund ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.  And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” -Jeremiah 31:33   There was a time when a “pocket protector” was a valuable tool.  Pocket protector?  Yes, typically a thin piece of stiff plastic that slipped into your shirt pocket.  It’s function was to prevent fraying and the occasional ink stains that result from carrying a pen in your pocket. Sadly, pocket protectors have fallen out of fashion.  Partly because they are not necessary anymore and partly ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” -Psalm 32:8 A couple weeks back I was chatting with a friend from my home town.  We were contemplating the areas of our hometown that were ripe for renewal.  Attempting to help describe a certain geographical area I said, “Yes, of course, down there by Winky’s.” Those folks present who grew up in Vandergrift nodded their heads knowingly.  Those who were slightly newer to the scene donned expressions of confusion.  “Winky’s?”  Yep, “Winky ..read more

                                                         “   …Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’                                                          And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers!’”             ..read more

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” -Matthew 5:41 From the earliest stages of our development we were warned, be very careful about the friends you “hang around with.” Naturally, I believe that to be tremendous advice.  I can certainly see why my parents would share that guidance with me.  What I am less clear about is this: why in the world would they take me to church at such a tender age?   Why thrust me into a social situation where I am surrounded by Christians?  Couldn’t they see that inevitably some of ..read more