(…continued) Can it be that easy? The Christians in Rome thought so. The Apostle Paul faced that same question. So, after five chapters of going on and on about grace, in chapter six verse one Paul says: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may […]
2950) Can it Be That Easy? (2/3) Read More »
From my July 20, 2025 sermon at Faithpoint Lutheran Church, New Prague, Minnesota —————————- Mickey Cohen (1913-1976; pictured above) was a major player in the world of organized crime in the 1940s and 50s. He spent several years in and out of prison, but when he was out, he moved about freely and
2949) Can it Be That Easy? (1/3) Read More »
(…continued) There are many reasons why the unconditional grace of my college professor is not the same thing as the unconditional grace of God. At its most basic level, a college class is like a business transaction; you do the work, and you get the reward. It is not the place for unconditional
2939) Nothing to Do? (b) Read More »
The above photo is from the 1978 movie Up in Smoke (as in marijuana smoke) starring Cheech and Chong. ********************************** I remember taking a psychology class at Mankato State University taught by Dr. Cheech N. Chong (not his real name; but you might have to be a senior citizen to understand that lame
2938) Nothing to Do? (a) Read More »
Adapted from an article by Scott Hubbard, “Do You See Your Soul?,” May 7, 2025 at: http://www.desiringgod.org ********************************* Picture yourself facing one of your typical temptations. Someone catches you in a little lie, and you are embarrassed; but another bigger lie would explain it all away and save you the embarrassment. A loved
2931) Remember, You Have a Soul Read More »
(…continued) William Willimon was, for many years, the chaplain at Duke University. He got tired of seeing eighteen-year-old college students who thought they already had it all figured out. He also got tired of hearing professors tell their students that all they had to do was ‘think for themselves.’ The kids had been
2901) Don’t Think for Yourself (2/2) Read More »
Mark 6:30-34… 53-56 — The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
2900) Don’t Think for Yourself (1/2) Read More »
Anglican priest John Stott (1921-2011) was one of the most influential Christians of the 20th century. The following ‘eight basic claims of the Christian Faith’ are from his best-selling book Basic Christianity. Christianity is Christ Who Christ is and what he has done are the rock upon which the Christian religion is built. He said
All three of these aspects of forgiveness described by Lewis Smedes in yesterday’s meditation are illustrated in the life of Malachy McCourt (1931-2024), which he describes with a flair in his several books. Malachy was the brother of Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt of “Angela’s Ashes” fame. The McCourt home
2890) The Healing Power of Forgiveness (2/2) Read More »
Most of you can think of a time when you were terribly wronged by another, and it hurt, and maybe still hurts. Perhaps you were wronged by someone you had loved and trusted, and then it hurts even more. Somebody you were counting on let you down. Someone you trusted broke that trust
2889) The Healing Power of Forgiveness (1/2) Read More »
