   (…continued)  God has three very important things to say about rules.  First of all, he gives the rules for our own benefit and the benefit of others who might be hurt by our bad behavior; and God demands that we obey him.  Secondly, when we break the rules, that is to say when […]
3092) III. Rules, Excuses, FORGIVENESS (3/3) Read More »
   As a young woman in Brighton, England, Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871) was known as “carefree Charlotte.” She was a popular portrait artist and a writer of humorous poetry. When in her early thirties, Charlotte suffered a serious illness that left her as a bedridden invalid for the rest of her life. She was often
3058) Come As You Are Read More »
Pictured above: Garrison Keillor (1942- ) ————————- By Garrison Keillor, Lake Wobegon Days, 1985, from pages 242-248.    Uncle Virgil Bunsen’s death caught almost everyone by surprise, though they hadn’t even known he was alive. He moved to Nevada in 1925 and didn’t keep in touch, so not many people at his funeral knew
3057) Life is Too Short Read More »
    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 »
