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. Â These feelings are stimulated by bereavement, illness, deranged […]
3183) Making Good Use of Our Troubles Read More »
   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
From Peculiar Speech, by William Willimon, Eerdmans Publishing, 1992, pp. 14-15 (edited). —————————– Romans 6:3-8  —  Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
3123) A Hard Wallop Read More »
Geoffrey Canada is an African-American man who grew up on the streets of Bronx. Â He is the author of the book Reaching Up for Manhood: Â Transforming the Lives of Boys in America. Â In it, he shares some of his personal experiences and tells how he overcame many adverse circumstances. Â He gives great credit to his
3083) Leaning on Grandma’s Faith Read More »
   (…continued)    #2) In the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers, one returned to give thanks. But illness can teach us to be grateful even when we aren’t healed. Sometimes we have to adjust to a health issue that will never get better, and what can we do then? Well, my
2872) My New Teacher (3/3) Read More »
Painting above: Christ and the Lepers, 1920, Gebhard Fugel (1863-1939) ****************************   (…continued) So , let’s look at what this story can teach us about illness, and then I will use some of my own story to illustrate what God has been teaching me.    First of all, the lepers learn that they need
2871) My New Teacher (2/3) Read More »
LUKE 17:11-19: 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as
2870) My New Teacher (1/3) Read More »
   Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809-April 15, 1865) remained skeptical, and at times even cynical, about religion until into his forties. So it is a most striking thing how personal and national suffering drew Lincoln into the reality of God, rather than pushing him away.    In 1862, when Lincoln was 53 years old, his
2859) Driven to His Knees Read More »
Image above:Â The Bronze Serpent, 1883, by Gustave Dore (1832-1883); based on Numbers 21:4-9 ************************** Â Â Â (…continued) Â Death comes to us all, and, whether we are young or old, the amount of time we have left is uncertain. Â The only certainty is that no matter what we have or who we are, the day
2808) Snakes and Healing (b) Read More »
   Shown above is the logo of the American Medical Association.  It is a snake, wrapped around a pole.  Of all the things doctors do and work with, why would the AMA pick a snake as the logo for their association?  People don’t like snakes.  And what do snakes have to do with doctors,
2807) Snakes and Healing (a) Read More »
