As Christmas approaches let’s take a look at one of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s most famous poems, “Christmas Bells.” The poem was written by Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863 as our nation was at war with itself during the Civil War. Longfellow struggles to believe there is any good left in the world as, “from…
The federal government just finished re-naming over 650 of its properties. Why? Because each of these places had in its name a derogatory term for a Native American woman. And the job isn’t finished yet. In 2021 the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force was established whose job it is to find and eliminate all derogatory name…
Text: Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? God’s word is like fire, like a hammer that breaks rocks in pieces. This reminds us that God often waits to act against evil. God’s power is so great that he does not want…
It has been a hot and dry year so far in Minnesota. It wasn’t that long ago farmers could hardly get into the fields to plant their crops because it was raining all the time and I was mowing my lawn as much as twice a week. This year things are definitely different. We always…
We have come to the time of the church year when especially focus on living as Christians in this world. Christians face many challenges in this world. Sometimes those who are close to us, maybe even members of our own families, think we are out of our minds to follow Jesus. Jesus had the same…
The parable that Jesus tells in Matthew, chapter 21, gives us the opportunity to thing about the times when we say one thing and do something else: [Jesus said] “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ [29]…
[33] “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! [34] For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? [35 ] Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? [36]…
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17, ESV) This is one of those good news, bad news verses.…
Moses said: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV) Throughout the book of Deuteronomy Moses is preparing the people of Israel to enter the Promised Land. He…
Looking into a person’s eyes can tell you a lot about what they think of you. If you make eye contact with someone and they immediately look away it probably means they are not interested in you. If you make eye contact and they don’t look away there’s probably a good chance they are interested…
Mirror Neurons 