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 »
Above drawing: Woman Praying at a Deathbed, 1864, by Swiss artist Benjamin Vautier (1829-1898) ——————————————- The day will come for each of us when we will need these prayers. FOR THE DYING: O my heavenly Father, God of all comfort, I thank you for revealing to me your dear Son, Jesus Christ, in whom I
3085) Prayers When Death Is Near Read More »
James Dobson, Sr. and James Dobson, Jr. (approx. 1956) ———————— James Dobson, Christian psychologist and author, died this past August at the age of 89. In this 2017 post from his website, he describes the last time he visited his father. The visit ended with this prayer of thanks. *********************************** In August 1977,
3074) A Final Prayer of Thanks Read More »
An article by Joel Belz in World magazine, July 18, 2009 (with slight editing). Note that this article was written sixteen years ago, so the dollar amounts have increased significantly; but the issue is the same, the debate has continued, and we are all sixteen years closer to the time that each of us may
3066) Decisions About Dying Read More »
Many people enjoy traveling, but everyone knows that travel has its frustrations. Everything is unfamiliar, and you can spend a lot of your vacation time figuring things out and finding your way around. It starts at the airport with, “How do we find the shuttle that gets us to the hotel, and why
3064) “There’s No Place Like Home” Read More »
The 1984 movie “Places in the Heart” ends with a wonderful image of heaven. The movie is set in a small town in Texas in 1935, in the middle of the Great Depression. It begins with the accidental killing of Sheriff Royce Spalding, a good man with a wife and two
3063) Heaven on My Mind Read More »
Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, “Do not ask, ‘Why were the old days better than these?,’ for it is not wise to ask such questions.” Do you ever ask that or wonder that? Do you, perhaps, as the question implies, just take for granted that things were indeed better in the ‘good old
3050) Were the Old Days Better? Read More »
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. –Revelation 21:21 ———————- There was a rich man who wanted to take his money with him beyond the grave. When he was nearing
3030) Streets of Gold Read More »
Above: Tony Campolo, Baptist minister, college professor, author, speaker (1935-2024) **************************************** By Tony Campolo (see below) I’m an Italian, but I belong to an African-American Church in Philadelphia. People sometimes ask me how a white guy like me ended up going there. I tell them it is because at that church they are
3024) Good Night, Clarence Read More »
