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Easter eggs, Easter Bunnies, Easter parades, Easter….kites? what do these things have to do with Jesus rising from the dead? And is there a right way to celebrate such an important event?
Bible Verses: Deuteronomy 10:13, Colossians 3:17, Colossians 3:23, Isaiah 1, Romans 8:8, and Hosea 6:6
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Good Friday – Reflections on the significance of Good Friday
It’s an age-old question: What is “good” about “Good” Friday?
Family Life News asked two pastors — both of whom serve in regional roles guiding Pennsylvania and New York congregations — for their stories and interpretations of why we enter the solemn moods of remembering Jesus Christ at Golgotha and Calvary.
Listen for the recommendations of the Rev. Mel McGuiness and the Rev. John Pingel. They talk about Holy Week worship and spiritual reflections give valuable context to the Good News — for people of faith, as well as for anyone who has not delved into the significance of Christ’s arrest and crucifixion.
Mel
McGuiness is pastor of the Kiantone of Jamestown, New York. He also is moderator of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Regional Fellowship of the “Four C’s” denomination. The Conservative Congregational Community Churches network is online at www.ccccusa.com.
John
Pingel is president of the Eastern District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He serves and leads over 120 congregation in that district, which stretches from New York, across Pennsylvania, and stretches into Maryland. Learn more about the LCMS at www.lcmsed.org.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:22 — 11.5MB)
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An Insider’s Perspective on Haiti – Faith Under Fire
When gangs burst into prisons throughout the island nation of Haiti, it launched a cascade of violence and brutality which shook the residents, toppled the standing of government, and opened the doors to crime and murder.
Family Life News offers you a perspective on what it has been like to live in Haiti and offer Christian ministry and hands-on development there. Darren Hercyk is a native of New York’s Southern Tier, a current resident of Harrisburg PA, and has directed global development programs for Liberty University.
Based on his three year’s experience in Haiti, he says the current civil unrest is one event in a long trend of disasters for Haitians — earthquakes, political upheaval, and hurricanes.
This conversation includes the need for immediate relief efforts, as well as the extensive Christian mission trips and longer range efforts. Hercyk says the most effective assistance would have two vital aspects:
Hercyk also gives us insights on the effectiveness that Haitian churches have had, when so many others entities have failed or collapsed. Even amid the disasters there, he says there is hope for Haiti — from its Christians.
Darren Hercyk has led global relief efforts and Christian humanitarian work, of his own as well as mentoring future mission workers. He has lived in ten nations doing such work, and directed programs for Messiah University and Liberty University.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:23 — 22.5MB)
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Twenty-eight hundred women a day are widowed in the US. For those women, everything changes.
“A widow has not only lost her husband, but she has lost the life that she knew,” says Marilyn Nutter. “And life looks dramatically different.”
Nutter knows there are better and worse ways to comfort the widows in our lives. A widow herself since 2011, her new book is Hope for Widows: Reflections on Mourning, Living, and Change.
“If we can’t say something that can be encouraging and not judgmental, then just be present,” Nutter says. “Put your arm around that person.”
While more than half of the women in the US over the age of 75 are widows, the average age a woman becomes a widow is 59 years old. No matter the age, there’s grief, loneliness, anger, and disappointment.
“I don’t think we can ever prepare emotionally for losing your spouse,” Nutter says. But there are some nuts-and-bolts things people with a living spouse can do now to make life more manageable if they’re widowed someday. We can learn, right now, the essential tasks our spouses usually shoulder, whether it’s changing the household air filters, paying the bills, or making travel arrangements.
“You need to be prepared, practically,” Nutter says. “It’s still not going to be easy. But if you can have some practical things in place, that would make it more manageable when your body is exhausted, and your brain can’t think.”
Randy Nutter died while on the couple’s cross-country Christmas visit to their children. Through Marilyn Nutter’s loneliness and discouragement, she hung onto God and who she knew Him to be. She knows that God is not only her hope, but the hope for widows.
“God is faithful to keep His promises. He hasn’t made a promise that He hasn’t kept. And so, when I think of hope, I think of hope as a person. Biblical hope rests in who God is and who He says He is. And that is where I have found Him to be faithful.”
We invite you to listen to our 16-minute podcast.
Learn more about Marilyn Nutter here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:27 — 7.5MB)
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Teacher Evaluations
Gym Class “Opt-Out”
Saving SUNY
Lots of “Issues in Education” to discuss this week. Our guest is Dr. Ralph Kerr at the Teaching and Learning Institute
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:03 — 27.5MB)
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In honor of Purim, it’s another news report from bible times, and today’s report comes from the book of Esther!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:42 — 14.7MB)
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“Capital Connection” on Family Life
Two family-values watchdogs join the Family Life Noon Report each Friday, to recap and analyze the biggest social, cultural and political stories of the week. Among the events and issues on the agenda for Jason McGuire and Michael Geer this week:
Jason McGuire is executive director of an advocacy/educational group which recently updated its name and logo to reemphasize its mission: New York Families.
Michael Geer founded the Pennsylvania Family Institute in 1989, serving as its president since that time.
For further information:
PAfamily.org NewYorkFamilies.org FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:33 — 7.6MB)
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“Real Answers” about: making friends
In an age of social media, online connections, and political divisiveness, it can be hard to find a good friend. The same challenge is also true of being a good friend.
Our “Real Answers” commentator Christopher Anderson offers perspectives and advice on why adult friendship are so valuable, as well as steps to maintain friendships.
Christopher Anderson is a licensed professional counselor who works with clients through his private practice in the Southern Tier region of New York. “Real Answers” is one of our Wednesday News Features on Family Life. It airs during the Noon Report on air and online, and a podcast version is available 24/7/365 (or 366) from the Family Life website.
3/20/24
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:08 — 19.4MB)
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Forgiveness seems simple, but when Mr. Jacobs says there might be more to it than just asking, the kids get a little nervous. Could he be right?
Bible Verses: Matthew 6, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:37, Psalm 103, Matthew 18:22, 2nd Peter 3:9
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:36 — 21.4MB)
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