    Cindy and Cathy are identical twins. Their parents were alcoholics and the girls had a dreadful childhood. Their dad died while they were still in high school when he rolled his car after a night of drinking. Their mother took an overdose of pills and died when the girls were away at […]
3051) The Healing of Memories Read More »
Pictured above are Al Quie and Chuck Colson *************************** Â Â (…continued)Â This idea of Jesus as our substitute has been illustrated in many ways. Â One of the most famous illustrations is of a judge who hears a case, is informed of the guilty verdict by the jury, pronounces the death sentence, and then comes
3049) Leo Tolstoy, Jesus Christ, and Al Quie (2/2) Read More »
Pictured above: Leo Tolstoy in peasants’ clothing, 1897. *********************************   Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a man of huge contradictions.  He was born into the wealthiest class in Russia in the 1800’s; and though he took advantage of all the benefits of his privileged life, he despised his wealth and was envious of the simple
3048) Leo Tolstoy, Jesus Christ, and Al Quie (1/2) Read More »
The Meeting With Joe, by Gary S.  (source lost)    One cold winter morning as I looked out my bedroom window at the gray, bleak landscape, I wondered, What is my life worth?  Where do I fit into the scheme of things? I felt completely overwhelmed by rejection.  I couldn’t see any hope in
3047) “Go See Joe” Read More »
Painting above: Paul and the Jailer *******************************    (…continued)  In his book Radical Son, David Horowitz confessed his sins to the whole world– but how about to God? Did Horowitz ever pray that prayer of the tax collector, “God be merciful to me a sinner?”    It doesn’t look like he did. Horowitz
3040) Open Your Heart (3/3) Read More »
Painting above: The Pharisee and the Publican, James Tissot, 1894 *******************************    (…continued)  There is still another factor to add, and that is the influence of God and the devil.  “I can’t help it,” said a popular comedian many years ago, “the devil made me do it.”  The Bible does indeed talk about how
3039) Open Your Heart (2/3) Read More »
From The Word for Every Day, by Alvin Rogness, page 63, © 1981 Augsburg Publishing House    Let me say at the outset that I don’t always feel the need to repent and be forgiven.  I believe I need to be; I know I do, because the Scriptures say very clearly that I do.
3037) Why Do I Need to Repent? Read More »
From my sermon for the funeral of Roger, who was once a member of the church I was serving, but had long ago moved away. I knew Roger’s brother Mike, but never met Roger or any other members of the family. Mike told me that Roger was at one time a hard worker and a
3006) Funeral Sermon for Roger Read More »
Pictured above: Manuel Noriega (1934-2017) *************************    (…continued) On December 20, 1989, United States troops invaded Panama to remove their outlaw leader Manuel Noriega from power. The invasion was controversial. But there was widespread agreement that Noreiga was a corrupt, murderous thug, engaging in drug trafficking throughout the Americas, ruling with fear and violence.Â
2967) “Me– A Pharisee?” (2/2) Read More »
Matthew 9:9-13: As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw
2966) “Me– A Pharisee?” (1/2) Read More »
