By Randy Alcorn, January 27, 2025, at: http://www.epm.org ——————————————    I asked the men in my weekly small group, “If you knew today you had only one week to live, what would you do?” We came up with a number of answers and then asked ourselves why we wouldn’t do those things soon—this week […]
3175) One Week to Live Read More »
   There were two criminals crucified with Jesus. At first, according to Matthew’s account, both men mocked and insulted Jesus, just like much of the rest of the crowd present that day. Then later, according to Luke, one of the criminals apparently had a change of heart. He stopped mocking, and then had a
3165) “What are You Doing Here?” Read More »
   (…continued) In Martin Luther’s darkest days it seemed all he had to look forward to was failure, disgrace, capture, and execution.  In those dark days he said:  “It occurred to me that it has always been God’s way to create something out of nothing.  So if before God can do anything through me,
3163) Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust (2/2) Read More »
   “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” we say as we bury our dead.  Ashes and dust are two powerful Biblical images of our mortality.  And now, even as we look forward to Spring when everything comes to life, the church year brings us that same reminder of death– Ash Wednesday.  Worshipers go forward
3162) Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust (1/2) Read More »
   A while back my wife and I went to a Saturday evening worship service at a Roman Catholic church near where we live.  The church building was well over a hundred years old and was built in the traditional, ornate style.  It was a beautiful sanctuary with an elaborate, huge altar in the
3159) A Skull on the Altar Read More »
From a funeral sermon: ————–    Elsie and her husband Ray lived in many places, did many different things, and endured many challenges together. In the early 1940’s Elsie worked for Boeing as a riveter; like “Rosie the Riveter” in the World War II posters. She was small, so her job was to crawl
3151) “I’m Just Fine” Read More »
   In Acts 17 Paul is proclaiming the Gospel to some Greek philosophers in the marketplace in Athens.  Paul begins the discussion by commenting on the culture around him, connecting with what his listeners are already familiar with. He refers to the many altars, shrines, and idols he saw on his walk around the
3150) Forever Young Read More »
By Johann Gerhard (1582-1637), a German Lutheran pastor and professor of theology. Â He wrote dozens of books, including Sacred Meditations, a collection of 51 meditations published in 1606. Â This piece was taken from the chapter 38 of that book. ———————————— Â Â Â 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. Â He was one of those old and steady saints of the church. Â 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.Â
3122) Giving Death Only a Moment of Our Time Read More »
