Stories of Jesus’ Followers

3228) Take Heart

     Pictured above are William and Wilhelmine (Minnie) Kruse behind the counter of their store in Humboldt, South Dakota.  Both were born in Germany; William in 1849, Minnie in 1851.  Both immigrated to America as children with their parents.  They were married in 1871.  Along with their store, they also farmed.  The 1915 census recorded […]

3228) Take Heart Read More »

3219) Walking God’s Trail

     There is not much to read in today’s meditation, but I am posting some amazing videos if you have the time to view them.      On January 8, 1956, five young American missionaries were speared to death by several members of a remote tribe in Ecuador.  They were attempting to make contact

3219) Walking God’s Trail Read More »

3216) Another Chance at Life

Pictured above:  Jean Valjean and the Bishop in the 2012 movie Les Miserables ——————— From the 1862 novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (1802-1885); as adapted in The Book of Virtues by William Bennett, 1993. ————————      Jean Valjean was a wood-chopper’s son, who, while very young, was left an orphan.  His older sister brought him up, but when

3216) Another Chance at Life Read More »

3212) Mark, Peter, Lou, and the Babe

Above:  Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth ——————      Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were teammates on the great New York Yankee teams of the 1920’s and 30’s.  Both were superstars, two of the greatest hitters who ever played the game.  They took turns leading the league in home runs and batting average, as they

3212) Mark, Peter, Lou, and the Babe Read More »

3200) Mrs. Pontius Pilate

Painting above:  The Message of Pilate’s Wife by  James Jacques Tissot  (1836-1902) ******************* While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Do not have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’  –Matthew 27:19    

3200) Mrs. Pontius Pilate Read More »

3189) No Mutts

“NO SUCH THING AS A MUTT” by Roy Borges      The first time I laid eyes on my brother’s dog, I didn’t like him.  He was a mangy old mutt.  As far as I was concerned, he was utterly worthless.  He didn’t know any tricks.  He picked the most inconvenient times to have to

3189) No Mutts Read More »

3179) Admiring Judas (2/2)

     (…continued)  Yesterday’s EmailMeditation told the story of Don and Carol Richardson’s mission work among the Sawi people of New Guinea.  It is one of the most amazing stories in the history of missions.  My brief account only begins to describe this powerful work of the Holy Spirit.  Today’s blog consists of three videos

3179) Admiring Judas (2/2) Read More »

3178) Admiring Judas (1/2)

     I completed my seminary education in December of 1979 and was ready for my first congregation.  I was called to Christ Lutheran Church in Lignite, North Dakota.  Lignite is in the far northwest corner of that wind-blown, barren state.  On a windy, 30 degree below zero day in January, my wife and I

3178) Admiring Judas (1/2) Read More »

3176) A Prayer for Iran

“What Will War Bring to Iran?  Praying for a Country in Crisis” by March 5, 2026, by David Mathis, at:  http://www.desiringgod.org ——————————————————-      As the world watches Iran, Christians look on with another set of eyes.  Wherever we reside, we watch and pray with a spiritual vision that transcends natural concerns and our own

3176) A Prayer for Iran Read More »

3166) Blessed

Seattle Seahawks Linebacker Derick Hall was born at 23 weeks. He had no heartbeat and doctors gave him a one percent chance of survival. But his mom refused to take him off life support. Now he is a Super Bowl champion. After the victory, Derick Hall reflected on the moment using a word that has

3166) Blessed Read More »