Posts by Holly Huffstutler
We Thought We “Hung the Moon”
My kids’ history and science lessons recently coincided to study the landing of the first man on the Moon on July 20, 1969. It was fascinating to again read about and then re-watch Neil Armstrong’s first “small step for man,” and “giant leap for mankind.” Armstrong’s famous first footprint in the fine dust of the…
Read MoreEvaluating the Hearts of our “Church Kids”
Christian parents have the responsibility and privilege to bring their children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:1–4). One of the challenges—perhaps the most difficult—is teaching our children not only to obey, but also to love God. Children who grow up in Christian homes and churches are somewhat similar to children…
Read MoreBearing the Name of God
I have been studying 1 Kings, and it has been very interesting to read about the construction of the temple, especially after having studied the construction of the tabernacle in the book of Exodus. Sometimes the details feel a bit dry, but other times the details can bring out themes that can be seen throughout…
Read MoreHail the Sun of Righteousness
My favorite Christmas hymn is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” written by Charles Wesley. I love its rich truths about Christ and the gospel. The text is based on many different passages in Scripture. In the first stanza, Wesley poetically summarizes the angels’ message to the shepherds that Christ, the newborn King, had been born…
Read MorePrayers for Your Pastor/Husband
I pray for my husband but not nearly as much as I should. I pray generically for him to have grace and strength in life, and I pray for some certain situations or struggles that I know of. But it never seems quite adequate. Sometimes I just don’t know how to pray for my husband…
Read MoreA Tale of Two Sons and a Negligent Father
In Ephesians 6:1-3 God commands children to obey and honor their parents and fathers to discipline and instruct their children in the Lord. A child who obeyed generally lived a long life, a promise first given to Israel in Exodus 20:12. The sons of Eli the priest serve as dire examples of lives cut short…
Read MoreThe Biblical Role of a Pastor’s Wife
When I was proof-reading my husband’s master’s thesis on pastoral transitions, I started to think again about the biblical role of a pastor’s wife. As I read through his paper, I saw a good pattern for establishing a biblical perspective on a debated issue. The role of a pastor’s wife has been debated by many…
Read MoreThe God Who Thunders
According to the National Weather Service, “Thunder is created when lightning passes through the air. The lightning discharge heats the air rapidly and causes it to expand. The temperature of the air in the lightning channel may reach as high as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. Immediately after…
Read MoreProvoking One Another to Love and Good Works: Advice or Admonishment?
Some friends and I were discussing the idea of provoking one another to love and good works within the local church. We all have opinions, suggestions, and advice, but are they all necessary to be given? Is there a point in which it becomes my Christian duty to advise strongly? Where do we draw the…
Read MoreThe Gospel in the Gardens
I recently gave a challenge in which I was asked to give the gospel. I was working in my garden as I thought about how I would present it, and I thought about the connections between the gardens in the Bible and the gospel. The Garden of Eden and an off-limit tree In the beginning,…
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