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 »
     I ran into someone the other day from out of town that I had not seen for a while. After agreeing that the weather was nice, and some more small talk, he said to me, “How is your dad doing?”      I replied, “He is doing great.Â
3122) Giving Death Only a Moment of Our Time 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 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 »
To lead the family in prayer and meditation. (Adapted and blended from several prayer books.) ———————————— In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray (together): Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy
3086) Family Prayers at a Deathbed Read More »
Above drawing: Woman Praying at a Deathbed, 1864, by Swiss artist Benjamin Vautier (1829-1898) ——————————————- The day will come for each of us when we will need these prayers. FOR THE DYING: O my heavenly Father, God of all comfort, I thank you for revealing to me your dear Son, Jesus Christ, in whom I
3085) Prayers When Death Is Near Read More »
An article by Joel Belz in World magazine, July 18, 2009 (with slight editing). Note that this article was written sixteen years ago, so the dollar amounts have increased significantly; but the issue is the same, the debate has continued, and we are all sixteen years closer to the time that each of us may
3066) Decisions About Dying Read More »
   (…continued) In 1925 Eugene O’Neill wrote a play based on John 11 called Lazarus Laughed.  The play starts where the Bible story leaves off.  As the curtain goes up, Lazarus is seen stumbling out of the dark tomb, blinking as his eyes adjust to the light.  As his friends and neighbors rush over
2997) Lazarus Laughed (2/2) Read More »
   JOHN 11:17-44 — On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
2996) Lazarus Laughed (1/2) Read More »
Pictured above: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra in 1961. ************************************* “I’m not unmindful of man’s seeming need for faith; I’m for anything that gets you through the night, be it prayer, tranquilizers, or a bottle of Jack Daniel’s.” –Frank Sinatra  (1915-1998), quoted in Frank Sinatra: My Father, by Nancy Sinatra, 1986, p. 201  ——————————————    John
2972) Whatever Gets You Through the Night Read More »
