Reading the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke today I noticed the two questions in the story. The first set of questions was from a young man who asked Jesus what were the requirements of obtaining eternal life. Jesus said you could summarize the entire Law and Prophets with two basic commandments. Love the […]
I have been sharing on Friday some of the funny and/or challenging things I read or hear in novels, sermons and conversation with friends. Since this week we are asked to remember the Christian martyrs, I would like to share a list of ten ways to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith […]
In the Old Testament we are told of a prophet, Elijah, who told the wicked king Ahab that God was going to send a drought on the land because of the sinful leadership of Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. For three years Elijah said there would be no rain. Elijah then made camp at the […]
I love the old Christmas carols that I grew up singing and listening to on the radio and at church. But a couple of trees ago a new carol was written. To me, it is one of the best conveyors of the Christmas story. Hope Has a Name. Hope you enjoy it!
I recently wrote about one of my daughters who has grown up to be a minister and just happens to also be my pastor. What she does every day is great – studying God’s Word to share with her congregation, counseling, advising those struggling with problems, sharing in the lives of the people in both […]
Years ago my father sometimes held revivals in small churches in southern Illinois. Many of the churches either had no piano player (this was before the era of drums and guitars in worship) or a very untalented player. Since he felt music was important for sharing the gospel, he came up with a solution. He […]
Christmas! What a magical time! We decorate our homes with trees, candles, wreaths. We put out a nativity set and hang up an angel or two. We plan gatherings with family and friends where there will be presents and lots of delicious food to eat. Everything is so neat and tidy – so beautiful. It’s […]
Christmas! What a magical time! We decorate our homes with trees, candles, wreaths. We put out a nativity set and hang up an angel or two. We plan gatherings with family and friends where there will be presents and lots of delicious food to eat. Everything is so neat and tidy – so beautiful. It’s […]
According to the National Retail Federation, a group that compiles information about consumer spending for major American holidays and events, an estimated 165.3 million people will shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. They break the numbers down like this: 39.6 million will shop on Thanksgiving day 114.6 million will shop on Black Friday 66.6 […]
Driving north from our home in Michigan we took a quick stop at Gaylord to try to get a peek at the elk herd found there. The City of Gaylord maintains an elk herd and while there are several places to view them, we stopped at the Patrick Mankowskil Park. There on 108 acres the […]
My husband and I hold services at two different assisted living facilities and I also give a piano concert twice a month at one of them. Today my husband shared with the residents the story in the Gospel of Luke about the ten lepers that came to Jesus asking to be healed. That story really […]
Growing up in church many times I heard the story of Abraham as told in Genesis. This man who is referred to as “the friend of God” is also held up as a great example of faith. Regarded by the Jewish people as their forefather through his son Isaac, he is also revered by the […]
I’m having waffles in the morning made by my husband. I know that because our little granddaughter is spending the night with us and she always wants Papa’s waffles for breakfast. When we go to bed she gives Papa her “cutie” smile and in her “cutie” voice she asks: Papa, will you fix waffles in […]
Today most of us think of Christmas carols as something we hear on the radio, or we sing at church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. However, singing carols in many places used to be more than just singing a song at church. It was a time to connect with neighbors as people would […]
