Blog

By Doug Snyder

Week one…shoes. Week two…card. Week three…flowers. Week four…book. Week five…wall decor. Week six…coffee date.

Each week, for fifty-two weeks, something unexpected popped up in our home or on our schedule, especially targeted for my bride’s pleasure. 2011 marked a milestone, our 25th Anniversary.

Can you imagine how 2011 would have been different if Beth had received all 52 gifts but failed to open and explore them? What if she never took the time to wear the shoes, read the card, appreciate the flowers, explore the book, hang the wall decor, or meet at the coffee shop? 

Is this how our Heavenly Father feels when we receive salvation, but fail to open and explore His gifts, understand and apply His promises, or engage Holy Spirit in deepening relationship? 

Yes, there is more to salvation than just being saved. If we believe and confess for salvation, shouldn’t we also believe and confess His Word over...

By Doug Snyder

Looking out the window as I write, it was a very similar day 45 years ago.

Late summer 1973. Warm and sunny, mid-afternoon. I was standing at the corner of Clark & J Street, near the tank, facing the Courthouse. I was 9 and had recently given my life to Jesus. 

Our church was participating in Key ’73, a national outreach campaign initiated by the United Methodist Church of America. Churches across America voluntarily participated in outreach and evangelism, in their own way, for the entire year. Midweek spaghetti dinners, guest speakers, guest musicians, week long crusades were among the long list of planned activities.

One Sunday evening, I surrendered my life to Christ. It was simple, childlike really. Earlier that week I had defied parental authority by refusing to gather and bring the garbage out. The tension resulted in a rift in the relationship with my parents. 

Enter God’s grace. The Holy Spirit’s gentle nudge, through the...

By Doug Snyder

This morning I walked the alternative gravel road route, instead of our normal town tour. Bathing in the bright blue-sky morning, I noticed a curious roadside dance. Dozens of beer cans and one milk bottle nestled in the grass along the road were glittering in the sunshine and crisp fall wind. 

What’s so unique about that? Nothing. However, when I turned around, I noticed 95% of the containers on the other side of the road, heading into town, were pop cans and one tea bottle. That’s odd.

So, giving it some thought, I wondered, “Is pop the morning beverage of choice heading to work, and, beer the evening choice heading home from work…and on Friday / Saturday nights?” 

Who hasn’t poured a cup of coffee as a pick me up in the morning or mid afternoon. It’s not unusual to have a glass of wine for supper or while relaxing. Right?

Before you jump ahead, thinking I’m going to rail against alcohol, I’m not. Why...

By Doug Snyder

What’s the most powerful force on earth? 

Seniors might immediately think of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The use of nuclear weaponry in WWII killed between 129,000-226,000 Japanese, mostly civilians. What a sad, terrible tragedy. Certainly a dreadful power.

The learned might suggest water as the most powerful force. Rocks and shores are smoothed, even washed away by water. Recent hurricanes demonstrate the destructive force of nature, that which water and wind can wreak.

The mindful may recall the words of Jesus, offering “living water.” (Jn 4:10) “Living water” was in reference to Holy Spirit, who He would give to those who believe, after being glorified, i.e. crucified and risen (Jn 7:37-39). From this “well” (i.e. indwelling Holy Spirit) streams or rivers of living water would flow out of the believer.

Is there any greater force than this? 

Jesus’ life was driven by love, first for his Father God, and then, for...

By Doug Snyder

As a first-time grandpa, the most endearing memory is that of my granddaughter exploring the world around her, turning, whirling in wide-eyed wonder. No concern. No worry. No anxiety. No fear. Just exploring. Trusting. Learning.

Grandpa and grandma are quick to the rescue when a foreseen action warrants. Sometimes we rescue and rescue and…rescue. 

Frankly, that’s a lot like God with me. The older I grow, the more I see God like a gentle grandfather, lovingly enjoying his grandchildren.

Is God more an angry Father or loving Grandfather to you?

I used to think of God as an angry father. Repent meant “turn from your enjoyable season of sin to the stale existence of Christian self-denial.” Repent meant an intense finger-wagging scolding, like an old-time evangelist in fever pitched convulsion, or, the angry furrow-browed adult, warning wrong-doers.

Yes, I do believe sin separates us from God. I believe in evil, a devil, and hell. Yet, I...