My son suggested I should I visit. a local church. And it happened on a summer Sunday morning a number of years ago. My first visit occurred when a visiting pastor was substituting for the regular minister. I am leaving names out, because I do not have their permission to use their names in this story. My students know I am a storyteller. Stories have provided motivation for my art and some stories reveal the details about life events that provide intangibles and context for memorable communication I wish to pass on to others.
This morning, I am changing the name of my free book ( in the form of a website) originally titled “Stories for Samuel”. The stories and an ongoing blog can be accessed by going to: http://www.firstfish.weebly.com The new title will be Out of the Mouth of the First Fish - Stories for Samuel, Silas & Liam .
Now years after making a friend with the visiting pastor from Wisconsin, I have been corresponding with him more often. I am praying for his wife; who once again battling a re-occurrence of cancer. We are miles apart but close in spirit (my message to my Wisconsin friends). I sent a piece of art titled “Then One Day I will Cross the River”. These words are lyrics from a song titled “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither. There is so much in this song and every line provides hope.
At this time special reassurance comes from these lyrics: “How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! “
I am blessed to have my daughter close, because in just a short time she will give birth to Liam. I feel so many prayers are being answered with my daughter and Liam’s father here in our home at this time.
I pray every day for my grandson’s future. I pray, borrowing more of the song’s lyrics - Because He lives, I (they) can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!
In these times I am critically aware of certain messages contained in the Bible. And in a time of increasing violence, terrorism, hate, and disregard for the environmental niche humans need (but take for granted),we must pray for and do what we can to further peace and quality of life for future generations. I was reminded by a recent post my Wisconsin friend, put on Face book, of how important Jesus Christ should be in the lives of Samuel, Silas and Liam.
The Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1-5
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” [καιροὶ: DNTT, vol. 3, pages 833-39; H.-C. Hahn, author; Colin Brown, editor]
2 Timothy 3: 1-5
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered: ‘Watch out, that no one deceives you.'” [πλανήσῃ: DNTT, vol. 2, pages 457-61; W. Gunther, author; Colin Brown, editor]
Matthew 24: 3-4
“Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed, by the masses.”
Plato (427-347 B. C.)
This morning, I am changing the name of my free book ( in the form of a website) originally titled “Stories for Samuel”. The stories and an ongoing blog can be accessed by going to: http://www.firstfish.weebly.com The new title will be Out of the Mouth of the First Fish - Stories for Samuel, Silas & Liam .
Now years after making a friend with the visiting pastor from Wisconsin, I have been corresponding with him more often. I am praying for his wife; who once again battling a re-occurrence of cancer. We are miles apart but close in spirit (my message to my Wisconsin friends). I sent a piece of art titled “Then One Day I will Cross the River”. These words are lyrics from a song titled “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither. There is so much in this song and every line provides hope.
At this time special reassurance comes from these lyrics: “How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! “
I am blessed to have my daughter close, because in just a short time she will give birth to Liam. I feel so many prayers are being answered with my daughter and Liam’s father here in our home at this time.
I pray every day for my grandson’s future. I pray, borrowing more of the song’s lyrics - Because He lives, I (they) can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!
In these times I am critically aware of certain messages contained in the Bible. And in a time of increasing violence, terrorism, hate, and disregard for the environmental niche humans need (but take for granted),we must pray for and do what we can to further peace and quality of life for future generations. I was reminded by a recent post my Wisconsin friend, put on Face book, of how important Jesus Christ should be in the lives of Samuel, Silas and Liam.
The Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1-5
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God–having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” [καιροὶ: DNTT, vol. 3, pages 833-39; H.-C. Hahn, author; Colin Brown, editor]
2 Timothy 3: 1-5
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered: ‘Watch out, that no one deceives you.'” [πλανήσῃ: DNTT, vol. 2, pages 457-61; W. Gunther, author; Colin Brown, editor]
Matthew 24: 3-4
“Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed, by the masses.”
Plato (427-347 B. C.)