On Wednesday, September 24, 2014, I was privileged to offer the opening prayer on the floor of the Pennsylvania State Senate. This was a special day, as a resolution was passed, honoring the 280th Schwenkfelder Day of Remembrance. See http://schwenkfelderexilesociety.org/schwenkfelders-in-pennsylvania/. The following is what I prayed: “Our Father in heaven, we humbly come before YourContinue reading “Opening Prayer for the Pennsylvania State Senate”
Author Archives: davidmckinley
Why Pray?
What keeps us from prayer? Busyness, pride, the feeling that we can take care of life on our own. Maybe it is the newness of prayer. You’ve heard others pray and you’ve never done it that way before. Boredom. You think prayer is boring. You don’t want to waste your time stopping and talking toContinue reading “Why Pray?”
Jesus Knows Your Needs
When Jesus died on the cross, He experienced emotional, spiritual and physical pain. Consider the words found in John 19:28: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” All of this happened as a result of the work being finished and His lifeContinue reading “Jesus Knows Your Needs”
Are You a Unifying Church Member?
If there was one thing that the Lord wanted the church to be known for, it is the love that we show one another. Jesus said in John 13:34: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will knowContinue reading “Are You a Unifying Church Member?”
Are You a Gracious Church Member?
We all have tendencies to see the negative in our circumstances. Usually it involves inconveniences; never when life is at risk. When Robinson Crusoe was wrecked on his lonely isle he drew up in two columns what he called the evil and the good. He was cast on a desolate island, but still alive—not drowned,Continue reading “Are You a Gracious Church Member?”
Are You a Praying Church Member?
Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:16: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.” This was a statement to equip the disciples for the work that they had ahead of them. It was to prepare them for what was ahead as theyContinue reading “Are You a Praying Church Member?”
Am I a Serving Church Member?
Being a servant is not glamorous. It’s not our first choice. It is not for the faint of heart. I remember as a young man, I left my hometown for the University of Missouri. It was the Fall of 1988 and I was encouraged to pledge a fraternity. I had friends and family members thatContinue reading “Am I a Serving Church Member?”
Am I a Functioning Church Member?
Responsibility. It is something that we are taught from an early age. Responsibility usually was cultivated through the carrying out of chores. These were things you and I did around the house that were opportunities to care for the home. What were yours? Whether it was making your bed, cleaning your room, feeding the dogContinue reading “Am I a Functioning Church Member?”
Our Gift to One Another
To listen, What do you get the person who has everything? This is a common question at Christmas time. We ask this because we think that Christmas is about gifts. But I would argue that the gifts that Christmas is about are not those that you can buy at Wal-Mart, the mall or the outlets.Continue reading “Our Gift to One Another”
A Reasonable Response
How do you respond when someone presents you with a gift? Surprised? Grateful? Embarrassed? How would you have responded by receiving the following gifts? Police detective Robert Cunningham liked to hang out at Sal’s Pizzeria in Yonkers, New York. One day in 1984, in lieu of a tip, Cunningham offered waitress Phyllis Penzo half interestContinue reading “A Reasonable Response”
Central to Life 