   The Constitutional Convention of 1787 held its meetings in secret, and its members were expected to keep the details of their discussions and debates confidential.  The official papers of the Convention sat in the State Department offices, untouched, until 1818.  When finally released to the public, it was clear that tempers flared often […]
1444) Ben Franklin’s Request for Prayer Read More »
By Pastor Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor of University Reformed Church (PCA), East Lansing, Michigan; prayed in the November 13, 2016 worship service (adapted). —————————— Our good and gracious heavenly Father, we praise you for your almighty and ever present power, by which you create and sustain all things. When we don’t know what will happen with
1318) A Post-Election Prayer Read More »
Two ‘prose poems’ by Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), from Stories and Prose Poems, translated by Michael Glenny, 1970, pages 214-216. ——————— A JOURNEY ALONG THE OKA Â Â Â Â Traveling along the country roads in central Russia, you begin to understand why the Russian countryside has such a soothing effect. Â Â Â Â It is because
1240) Mourning the Loss of Faith in His Homeland Read More »
By John Stonestreet at http://www.breakpoint.org, August 9, 2016. ———————————- Â Â Â So, have you heard this one? Â Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are stranded at sea on a life boat. Â Who survives? Â America does! Â Â Â Â What a bizarre election year this has been. Â Â Â Now, despite the dire warnings from both candidates
1218) Election 2016 and the Judgment of God Read More »
By Chuck Colson (1931-2012) , 2001, at: Â www.breakpoint.org —————– Â Â Â Congress recently shot down a constitutional amendment that would have required the federal government to balance its budget (note the date– this was 2001; The national debt has more than tripled since then). Â In essence Congress said, “We can’t do it. Â We can’t do
1213) Government as a False God Read More »
Above image:Â Vietnam Reflections, by Lee Teter, 1988 ——————- Â Â Â (…continued)Â Four Scripture passages that speak to this issue… Â Â Â I Samuel 17 tells the familiar story of David and Goliath. Â David, probably only 15 or 16 years old, accepted the challenge to fight the giant warrior Goliath, and David killed him on
1146) A Sermon for Memorial Day (b) Read More »
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hanover, Minnesota; May 30, 2016    Pacifism is defined as “opposition to war or violence of any kind, and the refusal to serve in the military because of one’s beliefs.”  There is, in the history of the Church and in the history of the United States, a long and noble
1145) A Sermon for Memorial Day (a) Read More »
Martin Luther  (1483-1546) Time magazine cover, March 24, 1967 ————————————-    “When God wills to punish a people or a kingdom, he takes away from it the good and godly teachers and preachers, and bereaves it of wise, godly, and honest rulers and counselors, and of brave, upright and experienced soldiers, and of other
1052) When God Punishes a People Read More »
For many years (until 1971) Memorial Day was observed on this day, May 30th. Â Today’s meditation is on the theme of gratitude to God for our nation and the freedoms we have here, and for those who have served and died to protect and preserve that nation and freedom. Â The reading is by Devin Foley,
414) Memorial Day Remembrance and Gratitude Read More »
      James Weldon Johnson was born in 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida.  Though he is best known for his writing, he was gifted with many talents.  He was a poet, novelist, songwriter, anthologist, and newspaper publisher.  He was also an educator (high school principal at age 23, and for many years a college
270) The Negro National Hymn Read More »
