Rejoice in the Lord Always: 2024 Thank Offering

by Danny E. Olinger

The theme of the 2024 Thank Offering in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church is “Rejoice in the Lord Always.” This declaration of the Apostle Paul from Philippians 4:4 teaches us what the posture and disposition of the Christian should be at all times. Notably, the rejoicing that the Apostle speaks of is not tied to how we feel about things going on around us personally or corporately. Rather, our rejoicing is based on our saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God who has died for our sins and been raised for our justification. This joy-giving good news concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ is the reason that the Orthodox Presbyterian Church sends forth the Word of God in every place (1 Thess. 1:8). We endeavor to do this with full confidence that the Lord is building his church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. In over 330 local congregations in North America and in mission stations throughout the world, Orthodox Presbyterian pastors, evangelists, ... Read more

Total Eclipse

by Christopher D. Drew

Like many last spring, I decided to spend some time with my family attempting to observe the solar eclipse which, in God’s providence, passed in totality over a significant band of the continental United States, and partially over a much wider area, including East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where I live. My wife, Sara, diligently sought out and purchased the necessary “eclipse glasses” bearing the all-important ISO 12312-2 certification so that we might have confidence our eyesight would not be damaged as we gazed upward. With about a week to go, we checked our local weather forecast and wondered if the skies would be clear. Alas, the day arrived, and our skies were completely overcast. The sun was only visible for less than five minutes near the conclusion of the eclipse, when you could catch the tiniest sliver of dark on the otherwise white-hot, retina-burning glare of our local star. When we accepted that the clouds weren’t going to cooperate, we decided to experience the event vicariously via ... Read more