The Carpenter's Corner

Being able to see the world, the sun, the moon, mountains, friends, rivers, sunsets, etc., around us assures us that they are real. Once in a church service, a man in the audience stood up and said, “I can’t believe what you say. You said there is a heaven and hell. I’ve never seen them, and that Jesus is alive and real, I’ve never seen him.” Another man stood up and said, “You tell me there is a river by this town, the sun is shining, there are mountains, or that this room is full of people. I don’t see any of that, because I was born blind, but I believe, just as I believe in Jesus and he is real to me.” If we are spiritually blind, we cannot see the things of God, for they are foolishness to us. If we come to God through Jesus, He will open our eyes, and we can see and feel the glories of heaven. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew...

Purpose: The reason for which something exists or is done. Distraction: A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. 

At some point in life we probably all ask “What is my purpose?” When Jesus was on this earth He had a clear purpose. Hebrews 12:2 “...Who for the joy that was...

If we read or watch the news, we might find ourselves distracted or even in a state of anxiety with all that is happening around us. There are crimes being committed and threats of war that can bring concern, especially if they hit “close to home.” God understands this because He made us. Through His inspired Word He gives us some encouragement to remember when we face times of uncertainty. We have this promise in Psalm 46:10-11. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge”. When we begin to worry and feel anxious, remember this promise that God gave us. With warmer weather coming, and the flowers starting to emerge from the ground, getting outside and enjoying time alone in God’s creation is an excellent way to “be still.” 

If we read or watch the...

We’re settling into a new year, and some of us have made 2026 resolutions. In the fall of 2025, my family prepared for the renovation of our home, and now we’re in the final stages. When we first began, we believed that digging for a foundation wall would be easy. Instead, it became an all-day affair. The old house’s structure was lacking, but the original foundation had been built on a solid rock ledge, common in PA’s Big Valley.

Watching the excavator’s hydraulic jack hammer breaking the rock into pieces, I thought, “my house has been built on a rock.” Matthew 7:24-27 references a wise man and a foolish man choosing which foundation to build on. Christ makes it clear that He is “The Solid Rock” (hymn)

May our 2026 resolution be this: “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly...

Welcome to 2026!  It is a pleasure to be here with you.

Over the last year we all have experienced blessings, hardships, gratefulness as well as many other feelings.  Through those times we have grown and learned a lot about ourselves and others.  As those experiences fade and we look into the year ahead, we are able to rest in Isaiah 40:8.  In this passage Isaiah states, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever".   Through all the feelings and experiences we have faced or are facing we can trust that God’s word and his promises will stand.  His word and his promises never change, they are the same yesterday, today and forever.   Praise God for his ability to be our strong anchor when we need him.  If you have not experienced God’s word...

Most of us know that the hammer is both a tool of force and creation. Spiritually, it serves as a powerful symbol for God's work in our lives. The Lord declares in Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not My word… like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” With loving purpose, God’s Word shatters our stony pride to make way for His grace.

In the hands of the Master Carpenter, this hammer is never reckless. Life’s hardest trials are purposeful blows, shaping us into something stronger for His Kingdom. The same tool that breaks us down also builds us up, fastening us securely to Christ, our firm foundation.This reminds us to consider our own impact. Let us use the “hammer” of our words and actions not to tear down, but to build up.

Let's...

Are you tired? We live in an “always on” culture. Go go go, say the voices around us. Our jobs, phones, friends, media, and the list goes on, are vying for our attention. Our focus gets stretched thin, and we get tired! So how do we rest? Is it beneficial to take a break from our daily routine and be silent? In the Bible, we read that God set the stage for rhythms of rest from the beginning of time. After God created the world and everything in it, Genesis 2:1-3, he rested after six days of work. Later in the Old Testament, we see a structured sabbath day, or day of rest, being established.  In the New Testament, we also see Jesus frequently resting and spending time with his father. Just as important as our physical bodies getting rest, our souls need rest as well. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus calls us to “soul rest” ... “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly...

We often find ourselves engaged in various repairing or restoring projects, be it home renovations, hobbies or other creative endeavors. Each project, with its own challenges and triumphs, offers a reflection of a deeper spiritual process. Just as we meticulously repair and rebuild physical projects, God works within us to mend our broken spirits and renew our souls. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” As we let God restore our hearts, we experience a profound transformation. We move from brokenness to wholeness, from despair to hope.

God is the ultimate master craftsman, lovingly and skillfully working within us to bring about healing and renewal. By surrendering to His process and trusting in His plan, we can experience the transformative power of His love and grace, becoming reflections of His restored creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17...

We all have 24 hrs. in a day, and it is our choice what we have room for in our schedules or hearts.  A long time ago, Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room for them in the inn; it was booked full. Later in Jesus’s life, Mary sat at Jesus’s feet listening to him when Martha was too busy. Jesus also gave us the parable of the good Samaritan, who made room and time in his schedule to help the needy when others had no time or room to help. Is our schedule so full of work, sports, online or hobbies, that we don’t have room for Jesus or time to read and study God’s word? Jesus said: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part (time for Jesus), which shall not be taken away from her. Luk 10:42, May we have room for Jesus every day to study His word, pray, and serve those around us. - Ernie Zimmerman...

Spring is my favorite season because of the beauty from emerging new life. Yet, with this also comes undesirable growth: thorns, thistles, poison ivy, etc. It is amazing to consider how each plant only produces that for which its root is genetically coded: Root = Fruit. Hebrews 12:15 says “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;”. By contrast, Galatians 5: 22&23 describes the beautiful fruits of the Spirit. God’s Grace that produces this fruit and His Grace is abundantly available for each person AS we choose to love Him, obey His Word and walk in a close relationship with Him. This is what allows God to change us and to direct every area of our lives. If we are not walking with Him, the roots of bitterness start growing, producing thorns, thistles, poison ivy, etc. which shows...

Have you ever come up short in your search for wisdom to discern the right thing to do in difficult circumstances? In Job chapter 28, Job asks, "But where can wisdom be found, And where is the place of understanding?" (v12). He emphasizes that wisdom's value is beyond human comprehension or acquisition, as it cannot be found in the natural world nor purchased with any earthly treasure, no matter how precious (v12-19).

So, where is true wisdom found? Job recognized that "God understands its way, and He knows its place" (Job 28:23). God, who sets "a weight for the wind, and measures out the waters" (Job 28:25), has the key to wisdom. It's not found in human intelligence but in God's revelation. Job concludes, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). True wisdom is found in a relationship with God and giving up our own desires...

April is the time of the year when spring is in the air, longer days, new plant life, farmers planting their crops, birds building nests and flowers begin to bloom. Easter is also in April and the time of year we think of new growth in our spiritual lives as we reflect on all God has done for us. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of giving His life on the cross for you and I. If we are willing to lay down our lives and serve God, He has promised that we will live with Him in heaven someday. Let us share God’s love and Easter story of redemption to all we meet. God will bless each one that is willing to do this. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 - Glenn Zimmerman, Lititz Store Manager...