Galatians 5:22-23a —  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. ————————- Christian pastor, author, and speaker Bob Hostetler put together this monthly prayer list in 2005. He developed it as a way to pray for his children. In addition to daily prayers for their guidance and […]
2952) Praying for the Fruit of the Spirit Read More »
Wendell F. was an Old Testament professor at Luther Seminary when I was a student there in the 1970’s. In June of 1995, the year he retired, he wrote this article. This is not a happy story, but it is a typical story. It is written to parents of a particular generation, but it will
2928) A Father’s Anguish Read More »
By James Lasher, October 3, 2024 article. **************************************     Country music superstar Luke Bryan is known for his chart-topping hits and energetic performances, but his latest album takes a heartfelt turn, offering a glimpse into his personal faith and the pain he’s endured over the years. In the final track of “Mind of a Country Boy,”
2911) “Talking to Jesus About My Kids” Read More »
STORY #1    Many years ago, Al Capone (pictured above on left) virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for gambling, bootlegging, bribery, narcotics trafficking, bank robberies, prostitution, and murder. He once said, “It’s not that I enjoy robbing banks and killing people; but it keeps me out of
2885) Two Stories Read More »
By Paul Harvey, Los Angeles Times Syndicate, 1992 ***************************** We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I’d know better. I’d really like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf. I really would. My cherished grandson,
2881) These Things I Wish for You Read More »
By William Willimon, Pastor, pages 99-100, Abingdon, 2002 Â Â Â Early in my ministry I arrived at a hospital room where a woman in my church had just given birth. Â I had been told that “there were problems with the birth.” Â A couple sat in the hospital room waiting for the doctor. Â The doctor appeared
2833) Reasonable? Read More »
   A while back I saw a you-tube clip of Louie C. K. (1967- ) on Conan O’Brian’s late night show. Louie C. K. is not my favorite comedian. Like so many entertainers today, his routines are filled with profanity, and his outlook on life is cynical and ungodly. But he oftentimes does speak
By Rev. William Willimon, Pulpit Resource, First Quarter, 2009, page. 12 Â Â Â I have met a number of parents who have gotten the notion that, while parents should train their children in academic and vocational skills, they should not “impose” ethical or religious values upon their children. Â “We simply tell our children what we
2814) “Imposing” Church on Children? Read More »
By Fred Craddock (1928-2015), Craddock Stories, ed. by Mike Graves and Richard F. Ward, 2001, Chalice Press, pages 23-24. ————————    When I was pastoring in Tennessee, there was a girl about seven years old who came to our church regularly for Sunday school, and sometimes her parents let her stay for the worship service.
2789) Party Time / Prayer Time Read More »
An experience Peter Marshall (1902-1949), the great Scottish-American preacher, related during his ministry; from A Man Called Peter, by Catherine Marshall,  pp. 230-231, 272-273:   On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, Peter Marshall preached to the regiment of midshipmen in the Naval Academy at Annapolis.  A strange feeling which he couldn’t shake off led him to change
2782) “Mother, What is it Like to Die?” Read More »
