Suffering With Jesus

3375) A Philosophy of Suffering (2/2)

Pictured above:  Before his injury, Dennis Prager did a weekly Fireside Chat.  Present at almost all 300 of these programs, was his faithful English bulldog Otto (2011-2023).  Otto was also the hero of a series of PragerU books for children.  Yet, Dennis said none of that fame ever went to his head, and Otto always […]

3375) A Philosophy of Suffering (2/2) Read More »

3374) A Philosophy of Suffering (1/2)

     Dennis Prager (1948- ) is a wise man.  He is one of my favorite writers.  He has written brilliantly on many subjects– religion, relationships, politics, ethics, economics, science, culture, history, and the meaning and purpose of life.  He has also written extensively on the problem of suffering.  He is Jewish, and the suffering

3374) A Philosophy of Suffering (1/2) Read More »

3316) “Viva Cristo Rey!” (2/2)

     (…continued)  Armando Valladares, and many other prisoners in the Cuban prison on the Isle of Pines, were inspired and strengthened in their faith by another prisoner they knew only as “The Brother of Faith.”  ‘The Brother’ was a Protestant minister who, in that ‘hell on earth,’ created a community of living faith in Jesus

3316) “Viva Cristo Rey!” (2/2) Read More »

3310) Just As I Am

     Charlotte Eliot was born in England in 1789.  Her parents were wealthy, and for 20-some years she lived a care-free, fun-filled life.  Then, she was struck with a crippling disease, and by her early 30’s she was a bedridden invalid.  She became depressed, bitter, and angry at God.  She would often be rude

3310) Just As I Am Read More »

3300) “Og Mit Liv”

Picture above:  Peter Torjesen  (1892 – 1939) ———————————–      Peter Torjesen was born and raised in Norway.  His father was a chimney sweep.  Both his parents were devout Christians.  They took Peter and his brothers to church every week, and read the Bible and prayed with them every day.      One evening in

3300) “Og Mit Liv” Read More »

3284) Who’s the Judge? (2/2)

     (…continued)  One long ago writer who struggled with this issue was John Donne (1572-1631; pictured above).  Donne lived during the reign of King James, the king who authorized the first official (and first legal) translation of the Bible into English (1611).  William Shakespeare was also a contemporary.  Excellent writing and eloquent speaking were much

3284) Who’s the Judge? (2/2) Read More »

3283) Who’s the Judge? (1/2)

      It is common today for people to get angry with God.  It is the preferred voice of many when speaking of or to the Supreme Being.  The world is filled with suffering and pain, and we insist on an explanation from God.  We are the judge and jury, and God is the defendant; and

3283) Who’s the Judge? (1/2) Read More »

3183) Making Good Use of Our Troubles

This piece is from a 1944 interview with C. S. Lewis (1898-1963); from the book God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics, by C. S. Lewis, pages 51-52. QUESTION: Many people feel resentful or unhappy because they think they are the target of unjust fate.  These feelings are stimulated by bereavement, illness, deranged

3183) Making Good Use of Our Troubles Read More »

3182) “And Yet…”

     Pictured above is the Karna Lutheran church in Malmslatt, Sweden.  Like many of the churches in Europe, this church is very old.  The present structure is no doubt the result of several expansions and remodelings of the old church, but the original part of the building is believed to go back over 800

3182) “And Yet…” Read More »

3113) Rev. Vincent van Gogh

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 »