Of Heretics and Outlaws – The Edict of Worms Up until 1521, it had been relatively safe to show an interest in the writings and teachings of Martin Luther (1483-1546). When Luther refused to recant his writings in opposition to various doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, the Edict of Worms was signed by Charles V, the Holy […]
Blog
11 posts
During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year, and in 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the […]
November; the month containing Thanksgiving is sometimes dark and dreary. So here are 4 ways to practice gratitude this month, and all year long. 1. Be thankful for what DIDN’T happen. No matter how bad things are, they could almost always be worse. Start finding gratitude for what could have happened but didn’t. You may not be thankful for everything […]
Pie Pie. Me oh my, Nothing tastes sweet, wet, salty and dry All at once, oh well it’s pie Apple! Pumpkin! Minced an’ wet bottom. Come to your place everyday if you’ve got em’ Pie, Me oh my, I love pie! 1. An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen. 2. Frequent attacks of smiling. 3. […]
Lately I noticed my online game time has been increasing. I would surmise some of you also take time occasionally to play some solitaire, or some matching games, mah-jongg, or maybe even multi player online games. These games can be fun. And I like to test my knowledge and abilities against a machine occasionally. Some games are even good for […]
Recently, somebody asked me for a list of referenced from the Bible that we can turn to in times of uncertainty and despair. I know what this person was looking for, the problem for me, is how long does this person want this list to be? Of course, I can give you some direction on where to turn in the […]
Here I sit at home, passing time. I have periods of overwhelming joy, I have periods of overwhelming sadness. I don’t know what the long term results of the Corona Virus are going to be, and that is annoying at least, and extremely worrying at best. What can we possibly do? I watch CNN and hear the talking heads debate […]
As I am a pastor, I am very interested in having people in church. But it is not only “in church” that I want them. I want all people to have a relationship with God that is such an integral part of their life that they cannot imagine not coming to church. So, I started asking myself and others why […]
If one were to read through the fourth chapter of Ephesians, one would read the writer’s appeal for unity amid diversity, and the writer’s appeal for a changed lifestyle within the worshiping community. It is a shame that this part of Ephesians isn’t looked at more often. Before this chapter of Ephesians, the writer offers three chapters as a memorial […]
I have been reading Philip Yancey’s book, “What’s So Amazing About Grace”. Then I came upon this reading from Ephesians. Here we have Paul, a Pharisee by birth, a persecutor of the early Christian Church, writing about Jesus Christ. Paul who, until his episode on the Damascus road, had been known as Saul, is an excellent example of God’s grace […]