  (…continued) But as soon as one starts talking about government, things get complicated, so I’ll illustrate this with a less complex setting– the family.    Let’s say little brother hits big sister.  Now big sister has at least three options.    Option #1 is she can just ignore it.  If she […]
3306) What Good is Government? (2/2) Read More »
     “I don’t get mad, I get even,” is what we used to say on the playground, trying to sound tough as we plotted our revenge.  The Bible, however, has a different approach to the matter.  “Love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you,” it says.    But then it
3305) What Good is Government? (1/2) Read More »
Above: From King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. August 28, 1963. ———————-    (…continued) Just outside of St. Peter, Minnesota is the Traverse Des Sioux historical site. Traverse Des Sioux is a shallow spot in the Minnesota River where generations of Sioux Indians crossed. In 1851 that
3288) The Declaration of Dependence (3/3) Read More »
   (…continued) In his Small Catechism explanation to the 4th petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Martin Luther listed many of the things God has given us for which we should give thanks. Included in that list is the gift of “good government.” Despite all the problems with our government, and for all that we
3287) The Declaration of Dependence (2/3) Read More »
      Next week, we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the birth of our nation. Does this Independence Day celebration have anything to do with religion? No, say many folks in the church. God is God of all people, not just of the
3286) The Declaration of Dependence (1/3) Read More »
By Eric Watkins (above), pastor of Harvest Orthodox Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, California (from November 2023 Christianity Today) ——————————————–    I was born outside the church—very far outside. Neither of my parents were Christians when I was a kid. We were a military family, my dad a Marine, and we bounced around several
3270) Meeting Jesus on a Greyhound Bus Read More »
From the Standing Strong Through the Storm daily devotion at: http://www.opendoorsusa.org ———————————   Satan subtly promotes the attitude that says money, property, possessions, physical comforts, as well as worldly fame and honor are the most important things in life. While God created all things and is the source of all we have, He does
3261) A Great Temptation Read More »
    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 »
