Image above: Self-Portrait, Spring 1887 —————- You have probably heard of the painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), but you may not have heard of ‘the Rev.’ Vincent van Gogh. Actually, before Vincent was a painter he was a pastor. He followed in the steps of his father, going to seminary and then serving […]
3113) Rev. Vincent van Gogh Read More »
“Let Someone Serve You in Suffering,” by Vaneeta Rendall Risner (pictured above with her husband). See her website at: https://www.vaneetha.com/ —————————————- I don’t like asking for help. Frankly, I’d rather take care of myself, by myself. But independence has become a thing of the past for me. Because of my disability
3096) I’ll Get By With a Little Help From My Friends Read More »
As a young woman in Brighton, England, Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871) was known as “carefree Charlotte.” She was a popular portrait artist and a writer of humorous poetry. When in her early thirties, Charlotte suffered a serious illness that left her as a bedridden invalid for the rest of her life. She was often
3058) Come As You Are Read More »
Image above: Chaos and death in the streets of Rome during the plague. ******************* Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you
3029) Something Strange? (2/2) Read More »
Above painting: St. Peter’s Crucifixion, by Caravaggio (1571-1610), Rome, Italy ******************************** The New Testament book of I Peter was written to encourage Christians in the early church who were suffering severe persecution. I Peter 4:12 says: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange
3028) Something Strange? (1/2) Read More »
In yesterday’s Emailmeditation you were introduced to “The John 10:10 Project.” Today, I am sending four more samples. Watch these, and then visit their website for more: John 10:10 Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheJohn1010Project The John 10:10 Project website: https://thejohn1010project.com ————————————— From now on, every time I see a Monarch butterfly, I will be reminded of this
3011) More From The John 10:10 Project Read More »
“Hands and Feet” ————————————- NOTE TO READER: Occasionally on Sundays, I will post a 40-minute worship video (I did several of these last summer, but not since). The video is directly below this text. Below the video on this page is the Order of Service for the worship. Below that is the text of this
2981) Sunday Worship #11 Read More »
Does everything happen for a reason? Maybe. We often hear that said, and perhaps you have said it yourself. But we should ask what we mean by that. Are we implying that there is a divine purpose in everything? What does that mean? Does it mean God causes everything to happen for a
2927) Does Everything Happen for a Reason? Read More »
From a funeral sermon. As you all well know, Cheryl suffered a great deal in these past several months; all that time in the hospital, all those tests, all the reports (usually bad), all the pain and anxiety, all the uncertainty, all the surgeries, and everything else she went through. And for you,
2910) “If I Die Before I Wake…” Read More »
By Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) in Wishful Thinking (1973). Above painting of Job by Russian painter Ilya Repin (1844-1930) ********************************** Job 1:14-19 — One day, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword,
2899) A Brief Summary of the Book of Job Read More »
