A Labor Day meditation on the foundation of a Christian work ethic. ———————————– A reading by Edna Hong, in Bright Valley of Love, copyright 1976, Augsburg Publishing House, pages 98-9. In his next (confirmation) class Pastor Wilm picked up the subject of what’s a guy to do with himself when he’s no longer just a […]
3360) It is the Lord You are Serving Read More »
We were warned in seminary against trying to force too many changes too fast on our conservative congregations. We were cautioned about the problems of differing expectations, and told to be aware of any long-established power structures among the church leadership. We were also advised that there would be an automatic resistance to
3359) Looking Back Read More »
In a home for severely disabled children, Catherine was nurtured for twenty years. The child had been intellectually and physically disabled from the beginning and had never spoken a word. She either gazed quietly at the walls or made distorted movements. Her life seemed to consist of nothing more than eating, drinking, and
3313) Wasted Efforts? Read More »
From The Exile, by Pearl S. Buck, 1936; as quoted in Stories of Faith, by Ruth Tucker, 1989. ——————————- Pearl Buck at home in Zhenxiang, China as a child (on left): Spending time in prayer each day is a discipline that is often difficult to maintain, and missionaries sometimes struggle more with time
3238) “Somebody Has to Do the Work” Read More »
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) did not like writing letters. In his autobiography, he wrote that he dreaded the arrival of the postman, adding that in the ideal life “a man would have almost no mail.” The arrival of the mail always meant more letters to answer, and even though he did not like
3224) A Reluctant, Obedient Letter Writer Read More »
(…continued) That might sound harsh and insensitive to you. You might be the one always doing more than your share, always putting in the extra time, always being taking advantage of, and always muttering under your breath “Well, someone has to do it; and if I don’t take care of it, it will never
3145) Doing Your Duty (2/2) Read More »
Ken finally talked his wife Sue into going to a baseball game with him. He was a baseball fanatic; she thought the whole thing was stupid and boring. For nine innings, Ken observed every detail of the game, while Sue scrolled through Facebook on her phone and looked up only occasionally. Finally, it
3144) Doing Your Duty (1/2) Read More »
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 »
The story of Stanley Tam (1916-2023), compiled from articles by Randy Alcorn at http://www.epm.org (6-16-21) and Todd Harper at http://www.ncfgiving.com (5-16-23). ————————— In 1934, as a young door-to-door salesman, Stanley Tam met a farmer’s wife who told him about Jesus. Six weeks later, while in a church, he placed his faith in Christ.
3067) God in the Plastics Business Read More »
AN OLD STORY: A caravan settled for the night, and the servant tending the camels came to report to the chief. “Are all the camels tied for the night?” asked the chief. “I tied up all the camels, except for my own,” replied the servant. “So great is my faith
3035) Don’t Bother God Read More »
