From A Sermon on Preparing to Die, by Martin Luther (1483-1546), Luther’s Works, volume 42, pages 99-100:    Since everyone must depart from this earth, we must turn our eyes to God, to whom the path of death leads and directs us.  Here we find the beginning of the narrow gate and of the straight path […]
All things are growing older: Â The world is growing older; we ourselves are growing older. Â A few more summers, a few more winters, a few more sicknesses, a few more sorrows, a few more weddings, and a few more partings, and then– what? Â Why, the grass will be growing over our graves! –J. C. Ryle
If only we could go back in time and share some wisdom with our younger selves.  Today’s meditation is about one little girl who wrote some advice to her older self to be read ten years in the future. ——————    On April 13, 2013 twelve-year old Taylor Scout Smith (2001-2014) wrote herself
3260) Advice for the Future Read More »
    A few days ago, Emailmeditation #3228 told the story of William and Wilhemina Kruse, South Dakota pioneers, who lost nine children to diphtheria in 1894. Upon reading it, my friend Tim emailed to tell me that the story was very personal for him. He sent me a brief account of his family faith history.Â
3232) “In Jesus’ Name” Read More »
    Pictured above are William and Wilhelmine (Minnie) Kruse behind the counter of their store in Humboldt, South Dakota. Both were born in Germany; William in 1849, Minnie in 1851. Both immigrated to America as children with their parents. They were married in 1871. Along with their store, they also farmed. The 1915 census recorded
By Francis Chan, from his 2008 book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God    You could die before you finish reading this meditation. I could die while you’re reading it. Today. At any moment.    But it’s easy to think about today as just another day. An average day where you go
3227) You Might Not Finish Reading This Read More »
By Randy Alcorn, January 27, 2025, at: http://www.epm.org ——————————————    I asked the men in my weekly small group, “If you knew today you had only one week to live, what would you do?” We came up with a number of answers and then asked ourselves why we wouldn’t do those things soon—this week
3175) One Week to Live Read More »
   There were two criminals crucified with Jesus. At first, according to Matthew’s account, both men mocked and insulted Jesus, just like much of the rest of the crowd present that day. Then later, according to Luke, one of the criminals apparently had a change of heart. He stopped mocking, and then had a
3165) “What are You Doing Here?” Read More »
   (…continued) In Martin Luther’s darkest days it seemed all he had to look forward to was failure, disgrace, capture, and execution.  In those dark days he said:  “It occurred to me that it has always been God’s way to create something out of nothing.  So if before God can do anything through me,
3163) Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust (2/2) Read More »
   “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” we say as we bury our dead.  Ashes and dust are two powerful Biblical images of our mortality.  And now, even as we look forward to Spring when everything comes to life, the church year brings us that same reminder of death– Ash Wednesday.  Worshipers go forward
3162) Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust (1/2) Read More »
