At Eternity’s Gate (above) is an oil painting that Vincent van Gogh made in 1890. The painting was completed in early May at a time when he was convalescing from a severe relapse in his mental health troubles, and just two months before his death, generally accepted as a suicide. The painting was […]
3114) At Eternity’s Gate Read More »
Last Tuesday Ben Sasse, age 53, wrote a “Letter to America” announcing that he had been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. Sasse served as a Republican Senator from Nebraska from 2015-2023. He resigned from the Senate in 2023 to become the president of the University of Florida. The following year, he
3107) “Friends… I Am Going to Die” Read More »
Above image: WILL THERE BE CHOCOLATE IN HEAVEN? ************************************* (…continued) Pastor Rob Kemppainen wrote many songs. He wrote for the worship services at his congregation, for his confirmation classes, for his Barbershop Quartet, and just for the fun of it. The six songs below each have a spiritual message, told with winsome and
3106) My Friend Rob and His Music (2/2) Read More »
Above photo: Reverend Robert A. “Rob” Kemppainen November 28, 1951 – April 27, 2024 ——————- When my good friend Rob died, his wife Marilyn asked me to say a few words at the end of the funeral service. In today’s meditation you can read what I said. I am posting it now, the day after
3105) My Friend Rob and His Music (1/2) Read More »
(…continued) This may seem like a morbid meditation for Advent. We’re busy getting ready for birth not death. We are preparing to hear again ‘that old, old story of Jesus and his birth.’ But Advent celebrates not only the first coming of Christ. It also reminds us that He is coming again, at
3098) It Ain’t Too Late… Yet (2/2) Read More »
The story at the beginning and some of the ideas for this sermon (from several years ago) were found in “Look Up: An Advent Meditation” by William Willimon, Christian Century; November 30, 1983. ———————————— Luke 21:25-28: (Jesus said), “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in
3097) It Ain’t Too Late for You… Yet (1/2) Read More »
Geoffrey Canada is an African-American man who grew up on the streets of Bronx. He is the author of the book Reaching Up for Manhood: Transforming the Lives of Boys in America. In it, he shares some of his personal experiences and tells how he overcame many adverse circumstances. He gives great credit to his
3083) Leaning on Grandma’s Faith Read More »
A while back an old friend told me he didn’t go to church anymore. He said, “It’s the same old thing: ‘things are bad now,’ the preacher always says, ‘but someday Jesus will return and then everything will be better.’ I’ve heard it all before.” My friend knows I am a
3078) Advent… Again Read More »
Ed was a Lutheran missionary to the African nation of Cameroon. His area of expertise was agriculture and he went to the mission field to teach people how to farm more effectively. He had hoped that his love and concern for the people he worked with could bear witness to the love of Jesus Christ
3073) The Witch Doctor’s Curse Read More »
Above: The cover of an early edition of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism ————— In his 39 years as a pastor and reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546) published an incredible number of books, treatises, sermons, and other writings. Page after page poured forth, as Luther powerfully proclaimed the Gospel. There are 120 volumes in the German
3072) Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Read More »
