    In a congregation I was serving years ago, there was a retired couple who was very active in the church. They volunteered for everything, and they always did what they said they would do, and more. They never missed a worship service, potluck supper, guest speaker, funeral, or anything else at church. If the […]
3246) “I’m Not One to Complain, But…” Read More »
    When I was preaching every Sunday, I often struggled with what to say on Mother’s Day. Of course, I would say “Happy Mother’s Day” during the announcements, and then, in the prayers I would give thanks to God for our mothers. But beyond that, I wasn’t sure what else I should do. Many people
3240) Mother’s Day, Guilt, and Mephibosheth Read More »
An old folktale. Â Â Â Once upon a time a man decided to sneak into his neighbor’s fields and steal some wheat. Â “If I take just a little from each field, no one will notice,” he told himself, “but it will all add up to a nice pile of wheat for me. ” Â So he
3215) Someone Sees You Read More »
           A while back I came across a nice little illustration of the grace of God. The writer referred to it as an old familiar illustration, but I had never heard it before, and maybe you haven’t either. (This is an illustration, not a joke… so don’t be waiting for the punch line). Here it
3199) Earning Points Read More »
   Pictured above is the Karna Lutheran church in Malmslatt, Sweden.  Like many of the churches in Europe, this church is very old. The present structure is no doubt the result of several expansions and remodelings of the old church, but the original part of the building is believed to go back over 800
My good friend Chris Brekke does a thrice-weekly on-line meditation, similar to these EmailMeditations. His blog is called “Seasoned Hope” and can be seen at: https://pcbrek2020.wordpress.com/ . Today’s meditation is a repost of his March 2 posting. Thanks, Chris! —————————————–    Hypothetically, in some dark reality, if you were a villain out to ruin
3174) How to Ruin the World Read More »
Psalm 32:1-5: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as
3140) Prayers of Confession Read More »
Pictured above: Philip and Janet Yancey —————————————    My favorite living author is Philip Yancey. He has written dozens of books and I have read every one at least once. His first book was published when I was in seminary, I read each of his new books throughout my ministry, and since I have
3119) Sin, Shame, Repentance, Forgiveness Read More »
      (continued…) When I was a child, it never would have occurred to me to be afraid of God. After all, every week at Sunday School in the old church basement we sang “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” But the more I have seen of the world and
3104) God’s Christmas Surprise for Us (2/2) Read More »
Dennis Prager (1948- ) is a wise man. He has written brilliantly on many subjects– religion, relationships, politics, ethics, economics, science, culture, history, and, the key to happiness– which, he says, is gratitude. In this piece, he describes one of the many obstacles to gratitude, which is what he calls the “Missing Tile Syndrome.” Perhaps
3077) Are You Afflicted With ‘Missing Tile Syndrome’? Read More »
