Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
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The Mt. Pleasant Church in Martinsburg is pleased to announce the appointment of Warren Tenley as their interim pastor. Pastor Tenley is ordained by the Christian Leaders Institute, having completed the required educational studies and endorsements of the Ordained Minister Program. He is also a licensed ministry and wedding officiant and holds a diploma of ministry from the Institute. Warren and his wife Deborah have been residents of Martinsburg for the past 16 years. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and is currently a patient advocate and patient...
I think we live in an angry society. Scripture has more than 200 references to anger or its action word “angry”. What is anger? I think we can safely say it is a feeling that arises within one because of a real or perceived hurt or wrong-done, often with a desire to hurt or punish the offender. This is perhaps perfectly natural. But, is it right? A classic verse on the subject is “When you are angry, do not sin, nor let the sun go down while you are still angry.” It would appear God understands...
Thanksgiving is one of those unusual holidays that we look forward to near the end of November. I mentioned that it is unusual because it’s about the only time we think about pilgrims. It is also when families get together mostly in the name of gorging themselves on food. Football games are often watched even if people are not interested in the teams playing. It’s tradition. While there is nothing wrong with some of our Thanksgiving Day traditions, a better tradition would be to make every day a day of giving thanks. Today, as I continue my...
During some of my schooling I worked for a small printing company. We took in more work on any given week than we could handle, and the pressure forged strong bonds and rewarding relationships. Regardless of differences, we all worked with great commitment out of loyalty to the owner whom we all admired. This bonded us tightly in solid relationships, and we spent time together outside of work. We all helped each other to get contracts fulfilled which we were assigned. And the store was successful during that time. On other jobs occasionally I...
Let’s take a look at the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ as focused in Galatians 5:22-23. The first three are love, joy and peace. They reflect personal attributes that benefit others because others rejoice in them. The next three, longsuffering, (patience) gentleness, and peace relate toward others as an individual who is demonstrating them relates to others. I once heard someone explain longsuffering and/or patience as some translations say, attribute longsuffering toward other humans who really test/...
The Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference will conduct its 104th year of ministry during the annual summer session at the Grand Pavilion at Lakemont Park in Altoona on the dates of July 28-August 2. The Bible Conference was established in 1920 and remains the longest continual existing conference of its kind in america. This year’s theme is “Maturing in Christ” studying the book of James. Speakers will include Dr. David Kistler with Hope Ministries International from Hickory, North Carolina and Dr. Wendell Calder with Local Church Evang...
During my elementary school years, I remember having challenges at Sunday School to memorize different parts of the Bible. It was a challenge I gladly accepted because I was fairly good at memorizing, and, for each task completed, we received a different colored star on a chart. That was a good motivation for me. One of the Biblical scriptures we had to memorize was the Ten Commandments. Back then, and now, I have always been struck with the attention given to the keeping of the Sabbath. Four verses are needed to complete this commandment, so I...
My wife and I have enjoyed a little grove of pansies in one of our flowerbeds. This spring they greeted everyone who came to the door with their very happy, colorful faces. They appeared to be intentionally facing the walkway into the house in a friendly way. Truth be told, I believe they were facing that direction because that’s where they got the most light. Without any light, plants eventually die. So it makes sense that our pansy grove was programmed to face the light. But that makes me think that sometimes pansies are more intelligent than...
“Awaken” Bedford County Tent Revival Awaken Bedford County Tent Revival is happening on August 9 and 10 at the Southern Cove Power Reunion Grounds. The address is 145 Cave Road, New Enterprise, PA. Gates will open at 9 a.m. and the first service begins at 10 a.m. They will break for lunch and resume at 6 p.m. for the evening service. People can come early and visit concessions such as the Coffee Coop, Hostetler’s and Snowball Dreams. Sit and eat and enjoy live music on Saturday evening by the band Righteous Now. Speakers for Friday are Pasto...
I’ll try to focus this ‘Thought’ on those of my peers who are say, sixty plus years of age. St. John 15, encourages us to bear fruit for God. There is no ‘statute of limitations’ on this. God still expects us to bear fruit even in old age. What do we need to do to accomplish this? Number 1: we need to be close to God, firmly attached to Him and allowing Him to live in us and rule our lives. I have illustrated this close connection by likening it to electricity. A loose or faulty connectio...
Newry Lutheran Church to distribute bags of food Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Ln., will distribute bags of food from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, in the church social hall. The “Meal in a Bag” will contain enough food to prepare dinner for a family. Bags will be distributed while supplies last at no charge; no income guidelines exist to receive the bag of nonperishable food items. Bags are distributed monthly on the last Saturday of each month. The Meal in a Bag program is a social ministry initiative of Newry Lutheran Chu...
Imagine having said something so profound or interesting that your quote could be found in a book or online. Imagine having pastors share your quote or people repeating it around the world. As I continue my series on quotes, I am grateful for ones who have had good insights on heaven. That will be my focus today. I’ve mentioned before that I have quoted Billy Graham in funerals. As a hospice chaplain I often point people towards heaven. It is easy to want to hold on to this life and enjoy the blessings of earth. But certainly, as I get o...
A woman named Amanda who had suffered a miscarriage wrote an article in which she described the dark time in her life that resulted from that loss. As the article unfolded, it became clear that it was not really about darkness, but about the light that she found as she dealt with the heavy grief that overtook her. Here are some of the things she shared. From Genesis 1 she was reminded that God creates, and that what He made on each day of creation was good. This basic truth seemed to serve as ballast for her as she was tossed about by powerful...
I think I would like to focus this ‘Thought’ on those of my peers who are say, sixty plus years of age. We may have aches, pains, recognize we can no longer do the things we once could, true. Still we should be and can be producing good fruit. Scriptures speak of fruit in several places. I think primarily of Galatians chapter five and St. John chapter fifteen. We might add a fruit not mentioned in either of these two Scriptural passages: That is the fruit of ‘thankfulness’. It is easy to focus on the things we see as “wrong” and not be than...
Romans 12:9-21 Throughout the last few months the Bible study group at my home church has been delving into the book of Romans, Paul’s letter to the people in Rome. Paul has a unique way of getting his words across to the people. He spent much of his time in prison but never let that circumstance be a deterrent to his spreading the good news of his savior. In reading these words we read today, Paul emphasizes the ways in which a faithful follower of Christ lives out and expresses the unmerited grace of God in his/her own life. Since studying th...
Albright Church of the Brethren at 1245 Bloomfield Rd, Roaring Spring will be having their vacation bible school from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, July 7, through Thursday, July 11, excluding Tuesday, July 9 because of the Ag Parade in Martinsburg. The theme will be The Great Jungle Journey. Every day, kids are bombarded with questions: Did God really create everything? Why do bad things happen? Was Noah’s ark real? Why do I need to be saved? Can I trust the Bible? At this VBS, kids will explore the biblical answers to these questions as they s...
Independence is a tricky concept. It conjures the idea of being free to do whatever you want to do. But if your imagination and desires are tainted in a way which keep you from pursuing what is truly good and beautiful and true – specifically what is good and beautiful and true and of a quality that can satisfy a person forever, then the freedom to do whatever you want, to chase whatever deep impulses well up inside of you, would actually be a form of slavery since you are not able to grasp what is good, beautiful and true when measured on a...
Perhaps you have heard someone say, "I'd like to go back to the 'Good Ol' Days". Maybe you have even said it yourself. Of course it really cannot be done and we have no idea how far they would like to go back. We could replicate some of the things from the past: i.e. going to the 'outhouse' on a ninety degree day and enduring the swelter and stench or on a 15 degree day and brushing a skiff of snow off the seat before occupying it. You could turn off heat in the winter and have no heat in your b...
I will keep this column on summer quotes brief because I am writing these words on the eve of my summer vacation, and I have not finished packing. I have often started writing and had the goal of writing a less verbose article as a treat for my readers. As you know, it seldom happens. I start thinking and typing and next thing I know, many words have flown by. Summer and life in general are the same way – fleeting. Years ago, there was a movie musical titled “In the Good Old Summertime.” You may know the tune to the title song. There is somethi...
Recently I was reading through the book of Judges and came across the story of Samson, one of the people God raised up to deliver His covenant people from oppressors in turbulent times. Samson was an unprincipled fellow. His parents were informed before his birth that he had a special calling and were given principles by which Samson was to live. Instead of reserving himself for God’s calling, he chased after what his eyes found attractive but did not fit within God’s principles, and he brought terrible ruin on himself. Have you ever heard of t...
Can you hear Jesus calling to you? He does, in St. Matthew 11:28-30. “Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus said that in the course of His regular teaching both His disciples and the crowds that followed Him. I would like to think He echoed it while He hung, dying on the cross. He certainly nev...
Have you ever sat in church and not noticed the beautiful windows or the doors? You haven’t seen the rich wood or the altar area? Have you felt you didn’t need a pew because your eyes are fixed on God, your knees on the floor? I remember a pastor from when I was a young woman who always removed her shoes before giving her sermon because she felt she stood on hallowed ground. We all do. This phrase is a request. Hallowed be your name—we are praying that God do whatever it takes to be holy in our loves. Exalt yourself, magnify yourself. You b...
Can you recall watching a toddler absolutely wreck a room while the parents laughed at how “cute” the behavior was? You might have been highly irritated, feeling sure you would not allow such wild behavior in your own child. The child could grow up to be an undisciplined, out-of-control monster! That scenario seems like a fitting analogy for what Satan was enticing Jesus to become in the second of the temptations recorded in Matthew 4. Satan wanted Jesus to pull off a wild stunt, jumping off the highest pinnacle of the temple in front of cro...
I don’t know if there is such a thing but having lived in farming county all my life I can understand there could be. If you have ever seen a young calf separated from its mother, you understand the calf will do a lot of bawling. It misses its mother and wants to be with her. So, it bawls (calls out in its own language) for her to come and rescue it from its distress and lonely condition. It is hard to distract a calf from doing this. Actually, I suppose many young animals experience the same t...
As a pastor and one who likes culture and history, I have always been somewhat of a quote guy. I have used quotes in my sermons and writings and think that wisdom can be found in things that others have said, even if we don’t always agree with them or they do not come from a Christian perspective. I have learned that online one can’t always count on the accuracy or reliability of quotes. Some famous quotes are actually “misquotes”. Unfortunately, it’s kind of difficult to know which is which. Today I begin a series where I will look at some q...
People have written some difficult and challenging prayers over the years. For example, a British fellow in the 1800’s named Thomas Arnold prayed – “Gracious Father, be pleased to touch our hearts in time with trouble, with sorrow, with sickness, with disappointment, with anything that may hinder them from being hard to the end, and leading us to eternal ruin.” And John Wesley from the 1700’s prayed “Lord God . . . let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you . . . .” Why do I classify these prayers...
You likely have seen a sign such as my title displayed at a doorway or gate. There is a purpose for this. Only certain people are allowed to pass through the entrance. All others are kept out. You must have a proof of who you are and that you are one of those allowed entrance before you can enter. To try to gain entrance without the proper I.D. means you will be barred from entry. When you display your identification, the guard checks it against his list. If your identification matches what is...
The moment we become conscious that we are no longer young, we become a valuable resource to others in our lives. We know that life is to be shaped, not merely endured. In our world where it seems that what a person produces is key to who they are, where function is central, there is a subtle but clear social stigma that comes with growing older. When physical strength declines in a society that prizes physical activity, the spiritual values that come with the passage of time are easily slighted as well. It can be a frantic time, maybe a little...
Months ago in Kenya our van driver told us there was a lion laying in the tall grass along the road. We couldn’t see it. It took help from the guide, but then its face became clear. Someone on foot would have walked right up on it. 1 Peter 5:8 warns Christians, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Satan is out to destroy the faith of God’s people and mar as much as possible the reflection of God’s glory in us who were made in His image, murdering souls. Matthew 4:...
Fidel Castro, Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin. What do these men have in common? Each was a leader. We may not have liked them or their leadership, but people followed them. Like it or not, people need leaders. Scripture talks about people being like sheep and needing a shepherd. You may already be tired of hearing political rhetoric. This ‘Thought’ won’t be that. Israel had some great leaders. Styles were different but to some degree, many leaders were successful. Moses may have been the great...
Recently after preaching in my church, someone I never met before approached me. She thanked me for the message and told me that she reads my columns faithfully and appreciates them. I thanked her heartily because our brief exchange was a real blessing to me. In a sense, she was bringing glory to my name even though I didn’t understand how she even knew my name or who I was. There are people in the world and godless nations who, at this point, may not know the name of Jesus. They do not acknowledge God the Father or the Holy Spirit, but one d...
When our family returned from a trip to Kenya and presented our report to our church family and friends, the part where we described the neediness of children caused an audible, collective groan. We spoke briefly of the lack of food and medicine and clothing, and those facts really grabbed some people, to the point they wanted to contribute to meeting at least the needs of one or two children. Driving through the Cove in the weeks immediately after our return I didn’t see women carrying sticks to take home in order to make a little fire and c...
Sharon and I have spent a couple of evenings looking at photo albums. She has made a lot of them and we decided it would be a great way to spend our “winding down time”. Some of them feature a member of our family and begin with baby pictures of that person. Some have a lot of empty pages at the back because they are still pretty young. Unfortunately, there are also some that have concluded for we will not see that person again until Heaven. This morning, in our devotional time, I thanked God...
The Sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3) Do you ever have days when you feel unimportant? Like no one cares? Bad news outpaces the good? It is easy to get lost in those kinds of thoughts when the ways of the world press in on us. The image of the Good Shepherd always helps me to banish those thoughts. God calls his sheep by name and leads them out. “He knows your name. In fact, your name is written on the hand of God.” (Isaiah 49:16) Your name is on God’s hand and on his l...
Our congregation supports a pastor in a country where being a Christian can prove dangerous. He was recently imprisoned because of hatred from enemies of Jesus. The reports were amazing to hear that even while in prison he was loving people and sharing the good news of forgiveness and new life through the Savior named Jesus. I can’t think of another religion where God gives what He commands. We are commanded by God to be holy, and He gives us Christ who was holy in our place and then died to make us holy. This is the message the pastor p...
I would like to begin this “Thought” with a poem. I want us to think about surrendering our lives to Christ. This is truly a daily requirement, although there must be a ”First Time”. Many people fear to do this, assuming God only wants to Judge but even His name is Love and He wants to love us but cannot because we resist or refuse His love. I hope the following: “My Surrender” by Nathan Wanner, will help you to carefully consider turning your life over to God (through Christ). Oh Jesus, now...
Potter Creek Lutheran Church. Memorial Day Services will be held Sunday May 26th, 11 a.m. Pastor Paul R. Snyder of Holsinger Church of the Brethren will be giving the message. His wife Janet will be the special music, accompanied by Lucille Dell. Come to hear the word of God, the beautiful singing, and uniqueness of the 182-year-old church. Everyone is welcomed by invitation from Steve Claycomb....
Mother’s Day has passed. The flower shops, card companies, and restaurants are still counting their profits. If you are a mom, I hope you felt appreciated and valued last Sunday. More importantly, I trust you get appreciation and gratitude on a regular basis. And if you are a lady who has lost a child or has a prodigal, I hope you find comfort in the fact that your significance is in Christ. I know you will never give up and will not stop praying. I have heard people say that every day should be Mother’s Day and I don’t disagree with that....
When our family was in Kenya, I counseled our teenager to forget whatever he may have learned about driving there. I could never have imagined my wife being calm if she were riding in a vehicle where there seems to be no rules. One day she looked at us with a calm smile and said with a tone of voice that exuded peace, “This is really amazing. It looks like we are going to hit those cars head on.” God gave her peace. From my vantage point the only explanation was that she was surrendered to God’s plans. Have you ever heard someone say somet...
Terry Leininger, an Alliance Chaplain, will be speaking at the 9:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service on May 26th at the Williamsburg Alliance Church located at 5270 Piney Creek Rd., Williamsburg, PA 16693. The Alliance Chaplains Ministries is growing, resulting in powerful ministry opportunities. Currently, there are 69 Alliance (Christian & Missionary Alliance) chaplains, 15 Chaplain Candidates, and 48 applicants representing the Alliance in all the military services and federal institutions like the Veterans Administration (VA), the Federal...
It happened a long time ago in a restaurant we enjoy as a family. Another family came in and was seated. It did not take very long for the littlest member of the family throw a ‘howling fit’; screaming, throwing things, banging on the tray of his high chair. Other diners drew back and lots of folks stared. The father rose and lifted the little guy out of his high chair and they marched out the door and across the parking lot. They were gone a little while, but when they came back, things wer...
One Monday at one of the jobs I worked during college, a supervisor showed up for work, and she looked awful. She looked like she had been in a terrible accident. She was limping and could hardly walk. Her face had terrible bruising and was swollen. She could barely move one of her arms. We crowded around her, wanting to know what happened over the weekend. Here’s the story that explains what we saw that Monday morning. She had a new little puppy. It was time to take the puppy outside. This w...
I like to be ‘in control’. Perhaps that is typical of men. A couple of weeks ago, we were going to a presentation at the Altoona Junior High building. It was rainy and a bit windy. I had an umbrella in one hand and a slippery hand rail under the other hand. My foot hooked on a step and I fell forward, face downward, on to the concrete. On the way down, a host of thoughts fled across my mind: “This is going to hurt.” “I can’t stop myself” “etc. etc.” Could I back up and do over the steps, I like...
By Pastor Lee Seese Correspondent Sometimes people who do not read the Bible or don’t read it very often claim that it is because it is too difficult to understand. It can certainly have its challenges for the average reader, especially if they are not using a translation that is easy to understand. But then there are times and places where it could not be more basic or simple. There are also people who don’t pray much because they say they don’t know how to pray. Perhaps those who are in one of these two groups have never read Psalm 86. Let’s...
Grunting, I suppose, is famous from caricatures of what “cave men” were like or from Tim the Toolman Taylor from the decades-old show “Home Improvement.” But grunting is actually a useful tool for men in 2024. It has proven useful for me when my wife is asking my opinion on something for which I can find no personal opinion no matter how deeply I look within myself. Sometimes, a grunt can serve to show that I am listening and give acknowledgment, but at the same time it is completely non-committal to any of the options in play in the convers...
Sadie had two nemesis, Joey and Butch. They just loved to get her into trouble and she, unfortunately did not do well when they were around. Butch just teased, taunted and tested her ceaselessly. Fortunately, she could handle him pretty well. She just resisted all his efforts and sent him packing whenever she could. He did not stop coming back, however. So she had to deal with him over and over. Joey, on the other hand, was much more subtle in his attempts to get Sadie into trouble. He was soft...
This year of 2024 holds some special excitement for my husband and me as we wait to welcome two new great granddaughters. We know what one of the babies will be named and are excited to learn the name of the other sweet girl. Naming a child is an awesome task. Probably we could all share a name story. Maybe the story is how your parents determined what to name you. Perhaps it’s a nickname that you hold dear for yourself or for a loved one. Or maybe it’s how your name changed or evolved over the years evoking a change in you. As people of God, I...
Our family recently returned from a trip to Africa with a stop in Dubai along the way. We are blessed in many ways, but one blessing that stands out to me is that of my wife and all the research she did. She researched things like what type of bug spray could help ward off the dangerous malaria-bearing mosquitoes but not harm us at the same time, where to obtain the metro pass in Dubai (as well as how to use it), what documents are necessary to enter Kenya these days, and the best neck pillow, etc. Maybe you’re a person who takes a relaxed a...
As we travel through life, it is a good thing to remember the "T" things that are involved. Hopefully they can help us to keep on the straight and narrow way and not to be greatly discouraged as we move on from the cradle to the grave. Life is a "T"est. We see this over and over but still we can easily forget. Of course not many children want to hear the words: "We will be having a test today." But the reason for tests is to see what we know or how we'll handle situations of life. There is a...
A Blair County event for the 73rd Annual National Day of Prayer will be held at Legion Park, North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, beginning at noon. This event is sponsored by The Way of Truth Ministries. Attendees are invited to bring a chair or participate from a vehicle. The theme this year is “Lift up the word – light up the world.” The theme is taken from 2 Samuel 22:29-31. The keynote speaker for this event will be Pastor Denny Mallonee of The Faith Baptist Church of Beaver Springs, Pa. Local area pastors will...
