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 »
By Tony Campolo (1935- ), Let Me Tell You a Story (2000), pages 34-36. A couple of years ago I was at a church conference in South Africa. The other speaker was one of the founders of the movement often referred to as the Toronto Blessing. This is a movement that very much
2702) Not Cured, But Healed Read More »
Woman on Her Deathbed, Vincent van Gogh, 1883 ———- By Martin Luther, adapted from Luther’s Prayers (chapter 6), translated by Charles Kistler (1917) ———- My dearest Lord Jesus, you have graciously granted me the knowledge of your holy name. You know that I believe in you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the only true God. You
2701) Prayers for a Blessed End Read More »
A FUNERAL SERMON When I was in high school I never knew what it was like to be on a winning sports team in anything. Belle Plaine High school was not known for its strong sports program back then, and our teams were feared by no one. Our trophy case was small, and
2646) “She Doesn’t Have a Prayer” Read More »
A while back I had a birthday, and I reached my allotted “three score years and ten” (Psalm 90:10 in the King James Version). On many of his birthdays (including his 70th), English writer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) would compose a prayer. I first read these prayers 35 years ago, and ever since have prayed through
2641) Prayers for My Birthday Read More »
