This meditation was inspired by a conversation I had last week. ***************************** I met an old friend for coffee the other day. Dan recently retired after being a doctor for forty-one years. I am a retired pastor. Dan asked me what it was like just being a regular member of a church after […]
3118) ” I Am a Good Person” Read More »
From “How I Know Dogs Go to Heaven” by Joshua Rogers, posted July 30, 2013 at http://www.joshuarogers.com I was 10 years old when I saw my neighbor run over my dog, Spot. In a horrific flash, Spot went under the tire, thrashed around in the front yard for a few seconds and then
3117) Do Dogs Go to Heaven? Read More »
Above: 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
3116) Prayers on the Commandments Read More »
By Lee Strobel ———————————— “This is embarrassing,” my friend said to me over the phone. “That’s okay,” I assured him. “Go ahead. You can tell me.” He sighed. “Well, we found out our little girl shoplifted a book from the church bookstore. We were really surprised because she’s a good kid. Anyway, I was wondering whether
3115) A Lesson in Grace Read More »
At Eternity’s Gate (above) is an oil painting that Vincent van Gogh made in 1890. The painting was completed in early May at a time when he was convalescing from a severe relapse in his mental health troubles, and just two months before his death, generally accepted as a suicide. The painting was
3114) At Eternity’s Gate Read More »
Image above: Self-Portrait, Spring 1887 —————- You have probably heard of the painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), but you may not have heard of ‘the Rev.’ Vincent van Gogh. Actually, before Vincent was a painter he was a pastor. He followed in the steps of his father, going to seminary and then serving
3113) Rev. Vincent van Gogh Read More »
In 1963, when he was twenty-one, Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was diagnosed with ALS and given just two years to live. It might be that Hawking’s illness helped him become the noted scientist he became. Before the illness, Hawking had been a lazy student. He still did well because he was so intelligent, but
3112) Reduced Expectations Read More »
Each New Year’s Day, as does each birthday, brings with it the unsettling reminder that another year is gone. I would guess that everyone (after a certain age, anyway) thinks about that at least a little bit. We get only so many years here, and these annual reminders seem to come around faster
3111) A Psalm, a Hymn, and a Prayer for New Year’s Day Read More »
Ecclesiastes 3:1 — There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ————————————– Prayers blended from a variety of sources: Dear Father, I thank You that throughout the season of life, there are endings and new beginnings. Your Word reminds us that there is a time for every purpose
3110) Prayers for Endings and Beginnings Read More »
Isaiah 57:18-19 — “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them,” (says the Lord). “I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, (Shalom, Shalom) to those far and near,” says the Lord. “I will heal them.” Shalom is the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ (and much
3109) Shalom, Shalom Read More »
