World-Wide PandemicIn addition to taking thousands of lives across the world, COVID-19, has changed the way we interact with each other. Social distancing has become the norm as we hunker in our homes to avoid contact with others who may be infected. We can’t go to work, except for jobs deemed essential. Sports of all […]
Continue readingReview – It Is Well by Kristene DiMarcoHymn GiftsSome of the gifts of traditional hymns are the heartfelt expressions of faith of believers facing heartbreak and tragedy. One such example is the hymn, “It is Well with my Soul.” All four daughters of Horatio G. Spafford, died when their ship sank in the cold waters […]
Continue readingAnd You Thought You Had it BadDid you ever have one of those days when everything seems to go against you? Maybe you have misplaced something important (or trivial). You spill coffee all over the counter as you pour yourself a cup. Next, you trip as you carry your plate across the kitchen. The plate […]
Continue readingHymns from the SaintsAbout a year ago, my wife fell and fractured her right femur near the hip joint. This traumatic event required emergency hip-replacement surgery. The operation was successful, and she has fully recovered.TraumaSuch accidents happen all the time. But this event had major complications. We were not at home in Carrollton, Georgia. Furthermore, […]
Continue readingGod of Grace and God of Glory is a most popular hymn enjoyed by Christians of a wide variety of beliefs and worship styles. Ironically, Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote it during a time of great conflict among Christians in the United States. Fierce Religious Battle Fosdick was one of the most controversial religious leaders of […]
Continue readingWhat is a life well lived? Often, we may read of people who made the most of their talents and opportunities. Perhaps we hear those words to describe the life of one who has just died. Leaders in business, education, medicine, the military or in politics are sometimes given as examples of those living a […]
Continue readingHave you ever felt Almost Gone? Thomas A. Dorsey certainly did when he received the telegram, “Your wife just died; come home.” He was in the second evening leading the music at a revival service. Home was from Chicago to St. Louis away. After driving all night, he got home. Not only had his wife […]
Continue readingBeginning a New YearBy the middle of January, the new year is well underway. We are certainly well into our new year’s resolutions and already have a sense of how they will turn out.Samuel John Stone (1839-1900) wrote The Old Year’s Long Campaign is O’er, one of the few hymns on the topic of properly […]
Continue readingGold Frankincense and MyrrhThe three wise men (magi) presented to the Christ child perhaps the most famous Christmas gifts of all time. Indeed, even young children with a minimum of Christian education can name them—gold, frankincense and myrrh.A recent post discusses the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as “Christmas Letters” [click picture to […]
Continue readingChristmas LettersDo you like Christmas letters? You know, the ones that tell about the family and what has happened to them over the past year. The variations are familiar, but there seem to be fewer each year. Perhaps the children grow up, lessening the incentive. Or, maybe just fewer people are writing letters anymore.I, for […]
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