By Johann Gerhard (1582-1637), a German Lutheran pastor and professor of theology. He wrote dozens of books, including Sacred Meditations, a collection of 51 meditations published in 1606. This piece was taken from the chapter 38 of that book. ———————————— Consider the misery and brevity of this present life, so that you may […]
3142) The Brevity of Life Read More »
From The Lutheran Standard, June 5, 1979, page 29; author’s name withheld. A man died at the age of 85. He was one of those old and steady saints of the church. He had been a devoted husband, a good father, a beloved man in congregation and community, a school janitor, and a fellow with
3141) An Encouraging Word Read More »
I ran into someone the other day from out of town that I had not seen for a while. After agreeing that the weather was nice, and some more small talk, he said to me, “How is your dad doing?” I replied, “He is doing great.
3122) Giving Death Only a Moment of Our Time 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 »
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 »
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 »
Last Tuesday Ben Sasse, age 53, wrote a “Letter to America” announcing that he had been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. Sasse served as a Republican Senator from Nebraska from 2015-2023. He resigned from the Senate in 2023 to become the president of the University of Florida. The following year, he
3107) “Friends… I Am Going to Die” Read More »
Above image: WILL THERE BE CHOCOLATE IN HEAVEN? ************************************* (…continued) Pastor Rob Kemppainen wrote many songs. He wrote for the worship services at his congregation, for his confirmation classes, for his Barbershop Quartet, and just for the fun of it. The six songs below each have a spiritual message, told with winsome and
3106) My Friend Rob and His Music (2/2) Read More »
Above photo: Reverend Robert A. “Rob” Kemppainen November 28, 1951 – April 27, 2024 ——————- When my good friend Rob died, his wife Marilyn asked me to say a few words at the end of the funeral service. In today’s meditation you can read what I said. I am posting it now, the day after
3105) My Friend Rob and His Music (1/2) Read More »
The story at the beginning and some of the ideas for this sermon (from several years ago) were found in “Look Up: An Advent Meditation” by William Willimon, Christian Century; November 30, 1983. ———————————— Luke 21:25-28: (Jesus said), “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in
3097) It Ain’t Too Late for You… Yet (1/2) Read More »
