Articles By: Larry Shallenberger

Larry is a pastor and author hailing from Erie, PA. He's the author of "Divine Intention" and "Lead the Way God Made You" (which was recently translated into Korean). Larry is a husband and father of three boys. He's on the board of www.thementoringproject.org. He's currently working on his fourth book and just crossed the halfway point of the first draft. If you're an aquisitions editor, you should toss Larry an email at larry.shallenberger @ gmail.com to chat.

The Problem with Spotting Pharisees…

Leonard Sweet (author/futurist/theologian) recently tweeted that when Jesus walked the earth, 6000 Pharisees were employed to support and enforce Judaism’s proper expression. The first Biblical mention of the Pharisees was in the book of Ezra. The original Pharisees consisted of scribes and sages...

January 22nd, 2012 | Meditations | Read More

It’s Hard to Remember What’s True

Last night I watched the Chris Nolan film Memento. This, I’m sure, leads you to two thoughts. First, what took you so long? The film is eleven years old and is considered to be a masterpiece. Second, did you forget there were college bowl games on? In my defense, eleven-years-ago I was raising...

January 8th, 2012 | Meditations | Read More

All Is Grace, A Review

At the end of Moses’ life, he stood in front of his nation and reminded his people about the terms of their covenant with God. Moses reminded his people that God didn’t choose them because of a stellar track record of getting it right. They never were able to mind their spiritual P’s and Q’s....

January 7th, 2012 | Featured | Read More

The Dangers of Success

I recently read Deuteronomy and was struck by chapter nine. Moses had to invest a lot of breath warning the children of Israel not to become proud over their conquest of the Promised Land. The land was filled with stout enemies and it would take much military prowess to drive out the inhabitants of...

September 18th, 2011 | Meditations | Read More

Sanballat Holds the Ladder

Sanballat steadies the ladder without complaint While I pry at the rotted eaves and soffits framing my bungalow. This deserved my attention much earlier, like other matters I’ve neglected: My character and who I am becoming. Sanballat steadies the ladder and salutes procrastination’s potency. I...

August 23rd, 2011 | Featured, Fiction & Poetry, Poetry | Read More

The Decision Esther Made

One of the spiritual disciplines I’ve built into my life is to read a book of the Bible each week with a friend. We meet early Sunday Mornings at Starbucks to discuss what we’ve learned. I’ve been meeting with David for several years, seven at least. This week we read Esther. Esther...

August 21st, 2011 | Meditations | Read More

Why True Believers Need Skeptics

I’ve been through some seasons of doubt and wondering, but at the end of the day I can’t call myself a skeptic. Personality-wise, I’m more of a Don Quixote, a true believer, evidence-be-damned. I know this isn’t fashionable in some circles. But, if I’m honest with myself,...

August 14th, 2011 | Featured, Meditations | Read More

I Hope Lazarus Loved Life

I woke up yesterday thinking about Lazarus in the Bible yesterday. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha who died and was greatly mourned. Jesus is moved and resurrects Lazarus, demonstrating that he has power, even over death. The day of his resurrection must have been powerful and dramatic....

June 26th, 2011 | Featured, Meditations | Read More

The KKK, The Westboro Baptists, and The Moral Pecking Order

If I got to be Chuck Palahnuik for day, and I wanted to quickly establish a hollow world filled with hated and moral absurdity, I’ve have my lead character walk past this scene as early as chapter one. The KKK recently made news by counter protesting the Westboro Baptists. In spite of their history...

June 2nd, 2011 | Essays, Featured | Read More

Longing for Justice

I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. My first reaction to the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by our special forces was not one of jubilation. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that bringing him to justice was the proper thing for our government to do. I’m grateful to the brave...

May 4th, 2011 | Featured, Meditations | Read More