O LORD, you will ordain peace for us; you have done for us all our works. Isaiah 26:12 Peace. I doubt whether there is anything so sought after or valued in this world. Peacemakers are commended, both in Scripture and by society. Why, then, is there not peace? War and conflict spread overwhelmingly… Continue reading He Ordained Peace
Tag: death
A Toy Piano and the Promise of Eternal Life
Triggers can be unusual, capricious things. At least for me, they are almost always unwelcome. Last Wednesday, my trigger was a small, worn-out, Little Tikes piano. A toy piano like the one I started playing almost from the time I could sit up by myself. A toy piano like the one my grandpa tried to… Continue reading A Toy Piano and the Promise of Eternal Life
Desperate
Lord, We are a desperate people. We are desperate for safety and security. We are desperate for health and material things. We are desperate for comfort. We are desperate for the wrong things. We snub and we rob. We demean. We grasp after our wants greedily and selfishly. Then we look outward and hear news.… Continue reading Desperate
My Resurrection is Assured: Easter 2015
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust... 1 Cor. 15:48a I am but dust. This morning, I had not been awake five minutes when that familiar burning pain began again somewhere in my stomach area. Almost in the middle, but slightly to the left. "Please, stop. I'm… Continue reading My Resurrection is Assured: Easter 2015
In Christ Shall All Be Made Alive
Lined with Gold
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 Yesterday, as I was driving through the countryside from an out-of-town funeral, I looked down the road and saw a magnificent rain… Continue reading Lined with Gold
Christmas 2013: “I came that they may have life”
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 I've said it many times before -- I hate death. In fact, anyone that has breathed, I would guess, has said those words at least once... some years, more than once. A… Continue reading Christmas 2013: “I came that they may have life”
The Lord is Risen
Good Friday: The atoning sacrifice
For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin. As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they… Continue reading Good Friday: The atoning sacrifice
Saturday Song: Abide with Me
Henry F. Lyte, the man who wrote this hymn faithfully led a small church for over 20 years when his failing health forced him to take an early retirement. September 4, 1847 marked his last sermon to his congregation. During his sermon, Lyte is reported to have said his desire was to "induce you to… Continue reading Saturday Song: Abide with Me
thoughts and songs 