More Than Today

As I was listening one day to the Acts of the Holy Spirit, some call it the book of Acts in the Bible, I was struck by how often the Holy Spirit does act and then we try to put what happens in a box. We try to categorize, clarify, and demystify something that is outside of all of that. In the process, we take the joy out of it. When those who knew Jesus and experienced the Holy Spirit shared that with others they simply told what had happened, what they had heard, what they had seen. Could it be that they trusted the Holy Spirit to make what they were saying real to the listener? They didn't complicate it. They knew they were sharing difficult teachings and experiences. They had seen and heard Jesus take what God was saying to him and share it with stories and what was going on right then. They were writing stories and poems and songs in a real sense. They were bringing into the open moments that only God would make real for others. They were painting pictures, making sculptures, d...

Sometimes I think I see things very clearly. I wrestle with how to express what I see because I know that others don't see it the same way.  These days regardless of what someone shares there is someone else who is going to twist it. Someone who will turn it into whatever their own agenda is. It’s something all of us are capable of. I get that we see things differently. But don't assume that because we do that I am not a Christian. I really am bothered when some people call people of a different belief not a Christian. Next time you are ready to put something out there that says all ____ are not Christians please stop and look at my picture. I will look at yours. Christians see things differently without losing their faith. If you don't believe that then I just invite you to look at the Bible and see that people are Christians based on believing in and on the Lord Jesus Christ. All who call on His Name. Jesus didn't ask people to hate the Roman government. He didn't...

Rich Thornton was born in Western Pennsylvania to Lester and Louise Thornton who faithfully served many churches in what is now the Allegheny Region of the CGGC. At an early age, he knew that his passion was to do whatever God called him to do. He graduated from Findlay (Ohio) College, now the University of Findlay, in 1972 with a Political Science Major, History Minor, and certification in Secondary Education. Rich attended the College of Law at Ohio Northern U niversity in Ada, Ohio with plans of becoming a lawyer.  After just a couple of terms in Law School, Rich left and soon was on the staff of a church as Youth Director. Rich had done youth ministry in various ways since his teen years through singing in traveling groups to churches and camps. Youth Ministry and the questions that he couldn’t answer led him on the path to Winebrenner Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1978. From there Rich served Lancaster First Church of God as Associate Pastor, Yocumtown Church of ...

Often, like in current times, it is difficult to figure out how God works , like in the Gospel account of Jesus casting out demons into pigs and then the people of the area being afraid of him and asking him to leave (Luke 8:26-39). There is a whole lot in that story but see what happens. "Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,  “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him." Did you see it? The people asked Jesus to leave and so he did. Actually, so did his disciples. What does Jesus do? He leaves but when the man who was healed wants to go away with him Jesus says no. Jesus left a witness, the best one possible, the one who had experienced the miracle in himself, not just seen i...

I’m celebrating Easter each Sunday. No one can stop me. Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The first disciples of Jesus remembered the resurrection on the first day of the week, each week. That is because the first day of the week was the day that Jesus came back from death. Since then, we worship on Sunday because every Sunday is Easter, the celebration of Jesus come back to life. Many today think Easter is about bunnies and Easter Egg hunts (which I like) and maybe even lots of chocolate (which I really like). Ham dinners for some of us, which is kind of funny since Jesus was Jewish, and family gatherings. All of these things are fine. Good traditions along with others that you might have in particular. But Easter is not about that. Easter is about the fact that there was death. Sobbing and crying all around and bitter wailing. A long wait of despair with disciples sequestered inside, self-quarantining for their own safety. Hope seemed gone...

The pandemic is real. Just because we shouldn't go overboard and be completely fearful doesn't make it less real. Usually, I don't get to save a life or help someone's health. When I do it is usually more immediate. But just because being smart now and being more healthful won't bring results I can see now or perhaps ever, doesn't mean I shouldn't do what I can now and in the future. The life you and I improve may be the life of a nurse or doctor who isn't overwhelmed this su mmer at a hospital by people who are very ill. We may save the life of a stranger and we'll never know it. I for one would rather be cautious and potentially not only save a life but also the pain of the many who won't die but will get very sick. So don't panic. Trust in God. Jesus healed because people were sick, for real. Pray for people. If it doesn't get as bad as it might that's a good thing, not a cause for derision. Please be safe my frien...