“That Spark” by Hannah Burgdorf    That spark. The one so many people dream of.  The one I’ve dreamt of all my life.  “Spark” is a good word for it.  Delicate.  Brief.  Tiny.  Weak…    Powerful. Powerful enough to start a wildfire.    But why?  Why does something capable of such strength, […]
1653) It “Only” Takes a Spark? Read More »
Above: A dog waiting for a crumb off of the table. **************************    (…continued)  Maybe Jesus is saying “Remember your place,” and maybe he is saying that to you and me. That might sound stern and ungracious, but the catechism, which we teach to our children, says as much. For example, in Luther’s explanation
1597) Remember Your Place (b) Read More »
Above image: The Canaanite Woman Asks Christ for a Cure, 1650, Pietro del Po ———————— Matthew 15:21-28  —  Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!  My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”  Jesus
1596) Remember Your Place (a) Read More »
   A visiting pastor was attending a men’s prayer breakfast in a Mississippi Farm County.  He asked one of the impressive older farmers in attendance to say grace that morning.  After all were seated, the older farmer began:  “Lord, I hate buttermilk.”    The pastor opened one eye and wondered to himself where
1582) Saying Grace Read More »
John 9:1-7  —  As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.   As
1526) In Good Company Read More »
By Joshua Rogers at: http://www.joshuarogers.com/2010/12/07    I have a confession to make:  it’s been about three or four weeks since I’ve read my Bible for more than 15 minutes.  Believe it or not, I actually like to read my Bible.  But unfortunately, it doesn’t come naturally for me to sit down and
1512) Time for God? Read More »
By Mindy Belz, in World magazine, May 27, 2017, page 28 (www.wng.org). ————————————–    Months into the invasion of Iraq by ISIS, I emailed a friend in Baghdad to check on his family and his church.  Islamic State militants by that time controlled one-third of the country and could reach Baghdad by car in 40
1505) How the Church Moves the World Read More »
Above: Welsh stained glass window, Church of St. Stephen, Old Radnor, Powys, Wales —————-            The sixth and seventh chapters of Acts tell the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen was, “a man full of God’s grace and power, and he did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). This
1498) “Lord Jesus, Receive My Spirit” Read More »
   In the final petition of the Lord’s prayer we ask God to deliver us from evil.  Martin Luther’s Small Catechism also refers to such protection from evil in Luther’s explanation to the First Article of the Apostle’s Creed where he says God, “defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all
1482) Deliver Us From Evil Read More »
Three brief meditations by Baptist theologian and pastor John Piper (1946- ). Â An extensive library of Piper’s work can be found at: Â www.desiringgod.org ——————————— Talk to God, Not Just About Him Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Â (Psalm 23:4)
1469) Wisdom from John Piper Read More »
