Many people do not like Charles Murray (1943- ). On March 2, 2017 he was invited to speak at Middlebury College in Vermont. Hundreds of students showed up to protest his presence, chanting and shouting “Shut it down.” He had to move to a private room and livestream the lecture. After the lecture […]
3350) Taking Religion Seriously Read More »
In the Fall of 2000, my father, his only living uncle, and six cousins, travelled to Gotthun, Germany, a tiny village in the northeast corner of the country. They went there to visit the place our ancestors, August and Augusta Stier, left in 1875 to come to America. Our connection to
3347) “But What Will You Do in the End?” Read More »
(…continued) The story then goes on to say God established in our midst a ‘Kingdom’, the Church, and gave to the Church the Holy Spirit. And He gave to the Church the Word and Sacraments. Again, in some strange and unaccountable way, the Holy Spirit working through these means, would recruit from out
3346) God’s Big Story (2/2) Read More »
Alvin Rogness (1906-1992) was a Lutheran pastor, author, and seminary president. In his sermons and books he would often retell the ‘big’ story of the Bible, summarizing the whole story of God and His world in a single narrative. The following reading is a blend of several of those narratives. —————————– Colossians 1:21-23a — Once
3345) God’s Big Story (1/2) Read More »
In my sermons, Emailmeditations, and conversations, I quote C. S. Lewis more than anyone else, other than Jesus Christ. Other than the Holy Spirit, the writings of C. S. Lewis were the most significant influence in my decision to continue to believe in Jesus and not abandon my faith. For almost one hundred years,
3344) The Most Reluctant Convert Read More »
(…continued) Salee learned that Christians feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and we do so because our Lord Jesus has commanded it. Sam Kinison wondered why the photographer didn’t just give the child a sandwich. That is what Christians are always doing, all over the world, through international relief organizations and in
3343) Steve Job’s Question for His Pastor (3/3) Read More »
(…continued) I once knew a Cambodian refugee named Salee. Salee was a young man when the communist dictator Pol Pot came to power in Cambodia in 1975. Pol Pot was a ruthless tyrant, and over the next four years, two million Cambodians were dead as the result of his rule, many of them murdered
3342) Steve Jobs’ Question for His Pastor (2/3) Read More »
Steve Jobs was truly one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known. He has been called the Henry Ford of our time. Not only was he a brilliant inventor and innovator, he was also an incredible businessman, marketer, and leader. Along with a couple friends, he started the Apple Computer Company
3341) Steve Jobs’ Question for His Pastor (1/3) Read More »
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) and George Whitefield (1714-1770) were close friends for thirty years. It was an unlikely friendship. Whitefield was an Englishman and Franklin was an American; and, in the later years of their friendship, America was moving toward independence, much to the dismay of England. Whitefield was an eloquent and fiery evangelical
3337) Ben, George, and an Interesting Speech Read More »
Above painting: “Home Sweet Home” Diane Dengel (1939-2012) ———————- From an old story, told by Aaron Zerah in How Children Become Stars: A Family Treasury of Stories, Prayers, and Blessings, Sorin Books, 2000. ———————————- A poor man lived with his wife and six children in a very small one-room house. They were always
3328) Perspective is Everything Read More »
