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 »
“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 »
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
Above: Remote Russian village ————- In his book, The Insanity of Obedience, Nik Ripken (2014, pp. 279-287) tells about meeting Dmitri in the former USSR. Born of Christian parents, Dmitri found himself and his family living under communism in an area where the nearest church was a three-day walk away. He
3164) “What Church?” Read More »
Above: Richard Wurmbrand prison photo By Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001), Tortured for Christ, 1967, pages 11-13. Wurmbrand suffered much for his faith in Christ, first by the Nazi invasion of his homeland Romania, then by the Russians, and then by the Romanian communists. He would spend 13 years in prison for proclaiming Christ, was often tortured,
3136) A Jewish Atheist Finds Jesus Read More »
Fernando Mendoza said after leading his team to the NCAA football championship: “I really can’t thank God enough, and I give Him all the glory because He’s meant so much to myself and to my teammates and my family.” Mendoza’s gratitude exemplifies the message of today’s meditation. ——————————- Deuteronomy 8:10-18a — When you have eaten
3134) Who Deserves the Credit? Read More »
During our first year as missionaries to a newly opened primitive area of the highlands of New Guinea, we soon became aware of much tension and rivalry among the various tribes, which often resulted in open hostility and warfare. They were then usually rounded up by the local police and herded to the
3125) Missionary Influence: Four Brief Stories Read More »
From I Am ‘N’ published by ‘Voice of the Martyrs’ organization, pages 233-235 copyright 2016. Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand were the founders of ‘Voice of the Martyrs.’ ( http://www.persecution.org ) ——– Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand (pictured above) were married in 1936. Both were Germans of Jewish descent. Richard, intellectually gifted and fluent in
3120) A Little Experiment Read More »
From “How I Know Dogs Go to Heaven” by Joshua Rogers, posted July 30, 2013 at http://www.joshuarogers.com I was 10 years old when I saw my neighbor run over my dog, Spot. In a horrific flash, Spot went under the tire, thrashed around in the front yard for a few seconds and then
3117) Do Dogs Go to Heaven? Read More »
Image above: Self-Portrait, Spring 1887 —————- You have probably heard of the painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), but you may not have heard of ‘the Rev.’ Vincent van Gogh. Actually, before Vincent was a painter he was a pastor. He followed in the steps of his father, going to seminary and then serving
3113) Rev. Vincent van Gogh Read More »
