(…continued) Just as the end of the story for that woman was good, the rest of the Bible promises a good end to ALL of our stories. All who believe in Jesus will receive eternal life in God’s heavenly home, in a life without suffering, pain, or death. Sometimes we […]
2845) A Most Difficult Story (2/2) Read More »
Matthew 15:21-28 — Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So, his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send
2844) A Most Difficult Story (1/2) Read More »
Image above: The Bronze Serpent, 1883, by Gustave Dore (1832-1883); based on Numbers 21:4-9 ************************** (…continued) Death comes to us all, and, whether we are young or old, the amount of time we have left is uncertain. The only certainty is that no matter what we have or who we are, the day
2808) Snakes and Healing (b) Read More »
Shown above is the logo of the American Medical Association. It is a snake, wrapped around a pole. Of all the things doctors do and work with, why would the AMA pick a snake as the logo for their association? People don’t like snakes. And what do snakes have to do with doctors,
2807) Snakes and Healing (a) Read More »
By Fred Craddock (1928-2015), Craddock Stories, ed. by Mike Graves and Richard F. Ward, 2001, Chalice Press, pages 23-24. ———————— When I was pastoring in Tennessee, there was a girl about seven years old who came to our church regularly for Sunday school, and sometimes her parents let her stay for the worship service.
2789) Party Time / Prayer Time Read More »
(…continued) Sometimes, when very ill, we will pray for a miracle of healing. The greatest miracle, however, is that every single second of our lives, the body is healing itself, renewing itself, defending itself from infections, and strengthening itself. This great miracle of continuous healing is going on in each of us, all the
2774) Looking for Miracles (c) Read More »
(…continued) We usually look to God only for the big miracles, the big interventions in our lives, at those times when we are really in trouble. It is when there is an accident or a serious illness or a major crisis that we look to God and pray to God for a miracle. And
2773) Looking for Miracles (b) Read More »
Not long ago I read yet another article about scientific research into the power of prayer in medical treatment. There are all kinds of Christians, myself included, who will say, “Of course there is healing power in prayer; I’ve seen it myself many times, so I don’t need a scientific study to tell me
2772) Looking for Miracles (a) Read More »
English writer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) would often compose a prayer for New Year’s Eve and/or Day. I appreciate the seriousness, depth, and eloquence of these prayers. They cannot be read quickly. Each phrase is filled with meaning, covering many aspects of our spiritual life: gratitude, praise, repentance, trust, servanthood, obedience, commitment, and the hope of
2746) Prayers for New Year’s Eve/Day Read More »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYVXqr7M7QY ———————————————————— Don’t Look Now, But I’ve Got the Blues, 1958, by the ‘King of the Blues,’ B. B. King (1925-2015) My pockets are empty, I feel so low If somebody loves me, ain’t said so And I got holes, in both of my shoes Don’t look now, but I’ve got the blues. There ain’t
2714) “Don’t Look Now, But I’ve Got the Blues” Read More »
