In case you haven't noticed, the Church in the West is very divided. We have whoknowshowmany Protestant denominations, Roman Catholicism, Messianic Judaism, and the various Orthodox denominations (branches?), just to name the big ones. These divisions and separations have occurred for a variety of reasons, some of which I, a firm Messianic Protestant, agree with, … Continue reading Unity Doesn’t Mean Uniformity (A Protestant’s Call for Church Unity)
Stillness Amongst the Desolation
I live in Kansas, and recently a tornado blew through one of our towns. I have a phobia of tornadoes, and the town is one I visit multiple times a week, and this twister was headed towards the city I live in before it dissipated, so I was kind of a wreck. But that's where … Continue reading Stillness Amongst the Desolation
The End is Nigh
But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgement.2 Peter 3:10, NLT Some may think this post is one … Continue reading The End is Nigh
Pruning
(This post is based on Luke 13:6-9, John 15:1-17, Galatians 5:22-23, and Deuteronomy 30:15-20.) Jesus compares humans to plants in a number of places in the Gospels. Fig trees, grapevines. He says we are plants in a garden or vineyard that are being tended to. If we produce fruit, great. But if we don't produce … Continue reading Pruning
Fandompocalypse 2022
On February 15th, a holiday that I really think ought to be a recognized international holiday occurred. It's called Fandompocalypse Day. It's the day when all fandoms are supposed to celebrate that we are all the same -- we are all fans, we all have things we are passionate about, we all have things we … Continue reading Fandompocalypse 2022
Valentine’s Wasn’t As Hard This Year
Yesterday was Valentine's Day, one of my least favourite holidays. It is a holiday designed to celebrate those who are in romantic relationships while simultaneously reminding us single people of how our society views us as sad and somewhat worthless because we don't have a significant other. I usually feel alone and lonely and sad … Continue reading Valentine’s Wasn’t As Hard This Year
The Unspoken Prayer Request
At Bible studies (at least in my experience), there is always a time where people can share prayer requests. I have heard a number of people complaining about when others share an unspoken prayer request. These complaining people are upset that the others wouldn't share the details or even say what aspect of their lives … Continue reading The Unspoken Prayer Request
“Therapy Doesn’t Work”
I talk to a number of people who are hurting or who blatantly have dysfunctional ways of interacting with the world around them. I will lovingly suggest that they seek therapy because I don't want them suffering from this any longer. A number of them retort with, "Therapy doesn't work." I would like to provide … Continue reading “Therapy Doesn’t Work”
What I Wish I Could Tell Brian Jacques (1939-2011)
Image from The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Act 1 by Soma Games Dear Brian Jacques, I want to thank you. You wrote the book series that has had the greatest impact on my life, and while you died before I could ever meet you or thank you, I wanted to say something still. … Continue reading What I Wish I Could Tell Brian Jacques (1939-2011)
My Redwall Reading Order
My favourite book series of all time is the Redwall saga by Brian Jacques. There is debate within the fandom of the correct order in which to read them. You could read them in the publication order. You could read them in chronological order of the stories. Or you could read them in the "whichever … Continue reading My Redwall Reading Order
The Random Writings of Sarah D. Penick 