Matthew 5:21-22a…27-30 — (Jesus said), “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment… You have heard that it was said, ‘You […]
719) “Fencing In” Our Sins Read More »
(…continued) The devil will probably not be appearing to you to make the kind of all or nothing offer that he made to Dr. Faust. But that doesn’t mean the devil is not tempting you in other ways. I Peter 5:8 says that the devils prowls about the earth like a lion,
685) Led by the Spirit… To Be Tempted (part two) Read More »
PAINTING ABOVE: Faust considering the offer of Mephistopheles (the devil) ——————- One of the greatest works in the history of German literature is the play Faust, written by Johann Wolfgang Goethe. Goethe worked on this play on and off for 56 years. He started writing it as a young man of 27 years
684) Led by the Spirit… To Be Tempted (part one) Read More »
ON PRIDE: Each person’s pride is in competition with every one else’s pride. It is because I wanted to be the big noise at the party that I am so annoyed at someone else being the big noise. Two of a trade never agree. Now what you want to get clear is that
539) C. S. Lewis on Our Sinfulness Read More »
By Johann Gerhard (1582-1637), a German Lutheran pastor and professor of theology. He wrote dozens of books, including Sacred Meditations, a collection of 51 meditations published in 1606. This piece was taken from the chapter 29 of that book. An angel fell even in the presence of God. Adam and Eve fell into sin
439) False Security Read More »
(continued…) The two previous meditations have made the point that while God is absent we are being tested. We are expected to remain faithful while we wait for that time when the Lord will return and be with us in person as he was with the disciples. In the meantime, Jesus said, we
316) When God is Absent (part three) Read More »
(…continued) It must have been wonderful to be with Jesus when he was here in person. From his own voice the disciples received comfort and guidance. With their own eyes, the disciples saw Jesus work his miracles of healing. Think about what it would be like if Jesus made the
315) When God is Absent (part two) Read More »
It was the summer after my graduation from high school. My brother John and I were driving milk truck for my dad. My father and mother were going on vacation for a week. My younger brother and sister were going along. John and I would stay at home and do the milk routes.
314) When God is Absent (part one) Read More »
By Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), 1886 Painting by Adriaen Brower, 1640, “Peasants Brawling” The peasant, still railing at his wife, began to carry the drink round himself. Just then a poor peasant returning from work came in uninvited. He greeted the company, sat down, and saw that they were drinking. Tired with his day’s
243) The Imp and the Crust (part two) Read More »
By Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), 1886 A poor peasant set out early one morning to plow, taking with him for his breakfast a crust of bread. He got his plow ready, wrapped the bread in his coat, put it under a bush, and set to work. After a while when his
242) The Imp and the Crust (part one) Read More »
