(…continued) Now, to return to the question I asked earlier: ‘What are we doing here today?’ The rite of confirmation, as we know it, is not mentioned by Jesus, it is not commanded anywhere in the Bible, and it was intentionally ignored and discarded by Martin Luther. As I said, it was later […]
2804) Monkey Business (b) Read More »
From a confirmation sermon I gave several years ago. What did Martin Luther (1483-1546) have to say about confirmation? Confirmation is what we are here for today and our congregation traces its roots to Martin Luther. So what did Luther have to say about the Rite of Confirmation? Well, for the
2803) Monkey Business (a) Read More »
By C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity [One of the most unpopular of the Christian virtues] is laid down in the Christian rule, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;’ because in Christian morals ‘thy neighbor’ includes ‘thy enemy’, and so we come up against this terrible duty of forgiving our enemies. Every one
2795) As We Forgive Read More »
“I am not happy, and life is short, so I need to go after this one chance at happiness,” he said, explaining why he was about to do something that was obviously wrong and stupid; that is, obvious to everyone but himself. “Yes,” said his friend, “life is short, so whatever it
2779) Life is Short; So…? Read More »
(…continued) There are times in life when you have to trust someone and follow them no matter what. In that cave, I had to trust and follow our guide. Perhaps you have faced medical decisions where you had to trust in and follow the advice of your doctor, and it was a matter
2769) Cave Exploring (b) Read More »
(…continued) ONE VISION, THREE DREAMS In the summer after graduating from Old Dominion, I began imploring God daily. “Tell me who you are! If you are Allah, show me how to believe in you. If you are Jesus, tell me! Whoever you are, I will follow you, no matter the cost.”
2759) Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (b) Read More »
From The Sermon on the Mount, by Clarence Jordan (1912-1969), pages 102-3. It is not judging, but self-righteous judging against which Jesus warns his disciples. Honest, sincere judging is good, but hypocritical judging is perilous. Nothing will destroy a fellowship more quickly than to have within it someone who carries around a folding judgement-seat which makes it
2674) Is There Something in Your Eye? Read More »
Above photo: Arun Gandhi (1934-2023) and his grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Manilal Gandhi (1892-1956) From Let Me Tell You a Story, by Tony Campolo, 2000, pages 146-147 (Mahatma Gandhi’s son Manilal continued his father’s work toward achieving civil rights for groups that were discriminated against, and the family moved to South Africa to join the battle against
2664) “I Will Never Lie Again!” Read More »
Doubt is a part of faith. We have no absolute proof that there is a God. While there is solid historical evidence for the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it cannot be proven. As Paul wrote, “we live by faith not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7). Faith is a necessary
2609) Believing and Doing Read More »
Peter is 31 years old, a hard worker, and devoted to his job. He is good at what he does and is quickly moving ahead of everyone in his office, even those who have been at the company for many more years. He is moving up to the highest levels of management in
2607) Character, Conscience, Courage Read More »
