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Treat every encounter as if it might be a “last”

It’s Saturday evening. The Sabbath is over. Jesus has less than a week to live. He knows. The mood of the Jewish religious leaders has grown increasingly hostile, and there’s a bounty on Jesus’ head. Jerusalem is a powder keg. Jesus has been warning his disciples for months that he is going up to Jerusalem to die. They’re about to see Jesus’ prophecy come true. Mary of Bethany senses that her time with Jesus is short. While Jesus enjoys dinner with Mary’s brother, Lazarus, who was dead in his tomb just a few weeks ago, Mary expresses her love for Jesus. She wants him to ...

Which way will you view the world?

Someone once quipped that worldviews are like belly buttons; everyone has one, but we don’t talk about them very much. So worldviews are worth some consideration and conversation because worldviews effect so much of life. Minister and philosopher Dr. James Anderson illustrated the concept of worldview by telling the story of a very sick little girl. The doctors have done all they can, but the little girl is dying and has only days to live. The people in her church gathered to pray fervently for the little girl, for her family, and for the medical team. The very next day, the girl ...

Indian parliament’s Lower House passes controversial bill that would change Muslim endowments

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — The Lower House of India’s parliament early Thursday passed a controversial bill moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government to amend laws governing Muslim land endowments. The bill would add non-Muslims to boards that manage waqf land endowments and give the government a larger role in validating their land holdings. The government says the changes will help to fight corruption and mismanagement while promoting diversity, but critics fear that it will further undermine the rights of the country’s Muslim minority and could be used ...

No matter the storm, you will have peace

Back in August of 1875, Edward Bickersteth heard a sermon about peace. Later that Sunday afternoon he visited a terminally ill friend and the friend asked about the sermon, since he hadn’t been able to be there. Bickersteth told him about the preacher talking about an inner peace that is divorced from circumstances and simply comes from the presence of God in one’s life. As Bickersteth talked, his friend drifted off to sleep. Bickersteth, however, felt the urge to jot down some of his thoughts after ruminating on that sermon. This is what he wrote: Peace, perfect peace, in this ...

The First Presbyterian Church of Williamstown to hold Chicken Pie Dinner Neighbor Night

WILLIAMSTOWN — The Presbyterian Congregation in Williamstown will hold a Chicken Pie Dinner Neighbor Night from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the church, 314 W Fifth St., Williamstown. The dinner will take place in the church fellowship hall. All proceeds will benefit the Mid-Ohio Valley Parkinson’ Support group, specifically scholarships towards the non-profit Rock Steady boxing program. The menu will include homemade chicken pie (local recipe), mashed potatoes, green beans, slaw, dessert and beverage. Take-out will also be available for pick up. The suggested donation is $12 ...