——————— Luke 2:13-14 — And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” ******* CHRISTMAS MORNING by Larry Kiewel I awoke. Always a surprise, actually. I lay quietly As first light began its […]
1354) Christmas Peace Read More »
San Bernardino, California; December 2, 2015 ————————– As in the picture above, the Christmas carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day expresses the sad message that “there is no peace on earth.” The song was originally written as a poem, Christmas Bells, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). Longfellow’s first wife, Mary, died in 1835 at the age
970) Peace on Earth? Read More »
Late at night on April 26, 2006, a man fell asleep at the wheel of the truck he was driving down an Indiana highway. The huge truck and trailer crossed the center line and crashed into the front of a van of college students and staff returning from a banquet. Five people in
886) In An Instant Read More »
Two artists were asked to paint a scene which would depict their concept of peace. The first artist produced a painting of a beautiful mountain lake. Everything about the picture suggested peace and quiet. The sky was clear and not a ripple disturbed the calm waters. There were no boats on the lake,
884) Peace in the Midst of Trouble Read More »
Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt, 1633 ———— I was visiting Hilda in the care center the other day. Hilda has had many health problems over the last several years, but her strong faith sustains her, and she is usually in good spirits and content to be at the care center.
856) I Can’t Wait to Get Out of Here! Read More »
Bitterness has a tenacious way of taking root deep within the soul and resisting all efforts to weed it out. Bitterness occurs for many reasons. It might come from deep hurts you received as a child, hurts you cannot forget. Time, rather than diminishing the hurt, only seems to sharpen the pain. Bitterness
846) No Bitterness Allowed Read More »
From a letter by C. S. Lewis to Mary Willis Shelburne, June 17, 1963. Shelburne was dying, and Lewis himself died November 22, 1963 after a year filled with health problems. Pain is terrible, but surely you need not have fear as well. Can you not see death as the friend and deliverer?
778) The Everlasting Arms Read More »
(…continued) I have been going to church conventions for over 30 years, and have heard many debates on resolutions in which well-meaning Lutherans have supported various causes in the name of peace and justice. Some have wanted to support unjust regimes because at least they kept the peace, and some have wanted
712) Peace and Justice and Pontius Pilate (b) Read More »
Many Christians place a great emphasis on ‘Peace and Justice’ issues. There are many churches in which you will hear more about peace and justice than about Jesus Christ. To be concerned about these issues is certainly implied in the teachings of our Lord, who was called the ‘Prince of Peace,’ and who
711) Peace and Justice and Pontius Pilate (a) Read More »
“Merciful Snow” A short story from Rev. Michael Lindvall’s book The Good News from North Haven: A Year in the Life of a Small Town, 1991, pages 26-33. Lindvall is a Presbyterian pastor who grew up in Minnesota, and has served parishes in Michigan and New York. …Priscilla Atterby died at eighty-four years: “fourscore
669) Peace at Last Read More »
