October 2020

“We should devote 364 days a year to being thankful and set aside only one day for grumbling and complaining.” ————————      Fulton Ousler (1893-1952) was a journalist, author of many novels (including The Greatest Story Ever Told), and editor of the Reader’s Digest.  In one of his books he wrote about Anna, born into slavery […]

Selections from The Clergy of America: Anecdotes, (1869)      I was once called upon, says the Rev. Trefit, some years ago, to visit an individual, a part of whose face had been eaten away by a most loathsome cancer.  Fixing my eyes on this man, in his agony, I said, “Supposing that Almighty God were to give

Different wording and numbering, but the same basic commands. ——— Prayers by Martin Luther (1483-1546), adapted from Luther’s Prayers, translated by Charles Kistler (1917) ——— (1st commandment)  Eternal God, you ask that I rely on you alone with all my heart in all things.  It is your earnest desire to be my God, and I must believe in you

By Martin Luther (1483-1546), adapted from Luther’s Prayers, translated by Charles Kistler (1917) FOR GREATER FAITH (#138)Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled.  My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.  I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent that my love may go out to my neighbor.  I do

     (…continued)  “Be on guard, be alert,” says Jesus, “for you do not know when that time will come… what I say to you I say to everyone– Watch!”  Jesus is referring here to that time when he will come again.  In the Bible we read of Jesus’ first coming.  In Jesus, God was

     For years Mick has smoked three packs of cigarettes a day.  Now, when he comes up the basement stairs he has to stop and catch his breath even though he is not yet fifty years old.  He wants to quit smoking and he is angry with himself that he cannot.  He’s mad at

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell

From Loving God, by Chuck Colson, 1983, Zondervan, pages 242-243      In the fourth century there had been an Asiatic monk who had spent most of his life in a remote community of prayer, raising vegetables for the cloister kitchen.  When he was not tending his garden spot, he was fulfilling his vocation of study and prayer.

     Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was a journalist and social activist.  Her parents rarely attended church, but Dorothy became active in an Episcopal church when she was a teenager.  She joined the Catholic church at the age of 30.  Along with Peter Maurin she founded the Catholic Worker Movement, which combined direct aid for the

EATING UNTO THE LORD:  God Promises Food, and in That Promise We Can Delight; by Andree Seu Peterson in World magazine, page 71, April 19, 2014.       The world is falling apart all morning, and then 12 o’clock comes and you remember that half a corned-beef-on-rye and the bottle of pop in the fridge– and you sit