Adapted from my sermon the day Brad, age 29, was baptized. ————————– (…continued) There was one more necessary step. Church was not yet a part of Brad’s life. A few months ago, Brad and Sheila met Mike and Patti from our congregation, and they became good friends. Brad said he was […]
3355) Baptizing Brad (2/2) Read More »
Adapted from my sermon the day Brad, age 29, was baptized. ——————————– Do you remember your baptism? If you are a Lutheran, like me, you probably don’t. If you are a Baptist, you probably do. Lutherans, like many Christian denominations, baptize infants; infants, who are sinners from their mother’s womb (Psalm 51:5),
3354) Baptizing Brad (1/2) Read More »
Many people do not like Charles Murray (1943- ). On March 2, 2017 he was invited to speak at Middlebury College in Vermont. Hundreds of students showed up to protest his presence, chanting and shouting “Shut it down.” He had to move to a private room and livestream the lecture. After the lecture
3350) Taking Religion Seriously Read More »
In my sermons, Emailmeditations, and conversations, I quote C. S. Lewis more than anyone else, other than Jesus Christ. Other than the Holy Spirit, the writings of C. S. Lewis were the most significant influence in my decision to continue to believe in Jesus and not abandon my faith. For almost one hundred years,
3344) The Most Reluctant Convert Read More »
Thirty miles off the southwest coast of Cuba is the Isla de Pinos (Island of the Pines). On this island is the notorious ‘Presidio Modelo’ (Model Prison, pictured above) built in the 1920’s by the president, turned dictator, Gerado Machado. When someone asked the dictator why he had built it so big, he replied,
3315) “Viva Cristo Rey!” (1/2) Read More »
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 »
By Eric Watkins (above), pastor of Harvest Orthodox Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, California (from November 2023 Christianity Today) ——————————————– I was born outside the church—very far outside. Neither of my parents were Christians when I was a kid. We were a military family, my dad a Marine, and we bounced around several
3270) Meeting Jesus on a Greyhound Bus Read More »
–Mary Magdalene to Nicodemus in The Chosen ———————————– “I received a phone call from Ken Dahlberg,” I said to our church president, Tim. “Do you know him?” I asked. “Yes, I know Ken,” Tim replied. “He grew up in this town. We were friends and graduated together. He even
A Methodist minister tells this story… A family of inactive members in his parish lived right next door to the church. The yard was a disgrace. Wrecked cars and discarded appliances littered the place. The grass was seldom mowed. The husband was a disgrace. He drank too much and rumors were that he
3247) Not All Churches are the Same Read More »
(…continued) Not everyone is fond of Ecclesiastes. It is strange. It is depressing. It even gives ungodly and bad advice. In the parable of Jesus, it is the fool who says, “Eat, drink, and be merry.” But in Ecclesiastes that very advice is given by the teacher as the best way to live.
3231) Ecclesiastes? Who Need It? (2/2) Read More »
