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June, 2024
Summer Solstice (saal-stuhs) in Pennsylvania on June 20, 2024, will give us 5 hours 41 minutes more daylight than Winter Solstice on December 21, 2024. On that day in June, the sun is allotted the most time in a single 24-hour period to have its tremendous impact on the created world. When considering God's purpose for your life, when do you have the most positive impact on the people you influence? Jesus calls us to be His light: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matt 5:14-15. May we take this day of opportunity and consider Christ's warning: "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light...
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May, 2024
Do you ever find yourself worrying about the future? Jesus spoke about this in the Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Bible. He understood that we would be tempted to fear the unknown, so He used a beautiful illustration in nature to remind us that He cares deeply about each of us. Flowers are lovely; however, they do nothing to care for their food or beauty. Although flowers are beautiful, they have a short life; they wither and are gone. We are precious in the eyes of our Creator. As you enjoy the beautiful flowers on cool morning and evening walks this summer, may you be reminded of how much Jesus cares about you!
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6: 28-29
Phil Groff...
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April, 2024
During the Easter season, we sing many songs that we typically do not sing at any other time. One of those songs is “We Serve a Risen Savior” by Alfred Henry Ackley. Praise God that He saw fit to raise Jesus from the dead. Not only that, but He can live with each of us today. So what does it mean to serve a risen Savior? How do you live that out on a day-to-day basis? Well, Acts 1:8 (NKJV) tells us this. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” It does not matter if you live in Africa, Russia, or Pennsylvania. Our job as Christians is to tell everyone we meet that our Savior cares for each and every one. Whether it is by words or deeds, tell everyone. Matthew 5:16(NKJV) says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see...
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March, 2024
In life, we use many filters in order to remove contaminants and deliver a clean product. HVAC systems use air filters to clean the air we breathe. Water systems have filters to purify the water we drink. Vehicles have fuel and air filters to deliver clean fuel & air to the engine. Internet filters block/remove inappropriate and immoral content. Proverbs 4:23 says: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” If the issues of life “spring” from our hearts and minds, then wouldn't it be important to use heart and mind “filters” to prevent contaminants from entering, and also to filter what is inside to filter out contaminants? Philippians 4:8: says “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, … noble, … just, … pure, … lovely, … of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” If we ask God...
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Duct Tape for the Soul, February 2024
It was a warm, rainy, dismal morning in August 2017 when I was flying out of Philadelphia. I had just attended the funeral of my brother less than two weeks before, and my mood was a bit dark and gloomy, just like the weather. Soon after take off, we broke through the clouds; the heavens were beautiful, the sun was shining and the sky was crystal clear above the pure white fluffy clouds. I was reminded again that the sun is always shining even when it's raining in our lives. For he hath said, ”I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5b. God is always near us, and we don't need to face the storms of life alone. You may be facing terminal illness, depression, anxiety, death, or walking alongside folks who are making poor choices. With God’s help, we can take courage and remember that God's promise to Joshua is still true today. “Have not I...
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January 2024 Duct Tape for the Soul
Even though my wife and I did not grow up in the church, my wife was always a seeker. On the other hand, I was not spiritually minded at all. We found our different experiences spelled out side by side in the Bible in Matt 13: 44-46. She, the seeker of the pearl of great value, and I, just walked through a field and "stumbled upon" the hidden treasure of great value. In the story, both the seeker and the stumbler saw the amazing value of the treasure and sold all they had to buy it. I can understand how God calls the seeker, but I have always marveled at how He calls the doubter and the unspiritual to Himself. But once I understood that Jesus was the one who came to "seek and save that which was lost"...I realized that He is the one who places that stumbling treasure in our path. Our need for forgiveness is so great that God is not content to just let us go our way. That thing that you keep...