Devotional

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Epiphanes 5:1-2 (NRSV) STORY Hal Holbrook was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925. For most people, he probably is best recognized for his television and movie appearances; though, it is his desire to be best remembered for portraying Mark Twain in a solo stage performance that ran for six decades. Holbrook was a student majoring in theater at Denison University in Ohio, when his education was interrupted to serve in the Army…

God still has a purpose for Donald Trump and the Deity concluded that Corey Comperatore has served his earthly mission. This is the implied response by MAGA supporters and Christian evangelicals’ interpretation of the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump but took the life of Corey Comperatore. This incident occurred on Saturday, July, 13, at 6:11p.m. at the fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania. As a retired United Methodist pastor who has spent a career helping individuals navigate tragedy, I find this response disturbing. The message conveyed at the RNC that convened days later in Milwaukee and evangelical pastors continued to pontificate…

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 1 John 1:6 The “swastika” is a symbol that dates back to prehistoric times. The word swastika has Sanskrit roots and means “the mark of well-being.” It has been used in prayers of the Rig Veda, the oldest of Hindu scriptures. In Buddhism, the symbol is known as manji and signifies the Buddha’s footsteps. It is used to mark the location of Buddhist temples. In China it’s called Wàn, and denotes the universe or the manifestation and…

On July 28, 2024, sitting president Joe Biden debated former president Donald Trump. This was the first presidential rematch in the history of the American presidency. More than the discussion of policies, the most notable event was Biden’s performance which was already being scrutinized. ABC News reported, “President Joe Biden was supposed to put the nation’s mind at ease over his physical and mental capacity with his debate showing Thursday night. But from the onset of the debate, Biden, 81, seemingly struggled even to talk, mostly summoning a weak, raspy voice. In the opening minutes, he repeatedly tripped over his…

On July 28, 2024, Tim Reid posted this news report for Reuters, which coincides news reports from other agencies: WASHINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told Christians on Friday that if they vote for him this November, “in four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not gonna have to vote.” It was not clear what the former president meant by his remarks, in an election campaign where his Democratic opponents accuse him of being a threat to democracy, and after his attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden, an…

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, a photo was posted to the Facebook page of Royall Elementary School in Florence, South Carolina. It was Royall’s back-to-school celebration event with an Olympics theme, as the games were currently being played in Paris. One photo showed two people wearing dark sunglasses and shirts labeled “U.S. Border Patrol” in front of a hand-drawn brick wall. Another photo showed staff members as a group, wearing brightly colored clothes and sombreros. They all posed alongside a sign labeled “Royall Cantina,” with a table laden with of Mexican items – colorful banners, maracas and sombreros. The photos…

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, a photo was posted to the Facebook page of Royall Elementary School in Florence, South Carolina. It was Royall’s back-to-school celebration event with an Olympics theme, as the games were currently being played in Paris. One photo showed two people wearing dark sunglasses and shirts labeled “U.S. Border Patrol” in front of a hand-drawn brick wall. Another photo showed staff members as a group, wearing brightly colored clothes and sombreros. They all posed alongside a sign labeled “Royall Cantina,” with a table laden with of Mexican items – colorful banners, maracas and sombreros. The photos…

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 STORY Joseph Scriven had wealth, education, a devoted family, and a pleasant life in his native country of Ireland. He was born in Ireland in 1819. After receiving a university degree from Trinity College in London, he enrolled in a military college to prepare for an army career. However, poor health forced him to give up that ambition. Joseph then quickly established himself as a teacher, fell in love, and made plans to settle in his hometown. Then…

“Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ Zechariah 7:9-10 STORY The Shoes of the Fisherman, is a novel by Australian writer Morris West, that was published in 1963. The author’s admiration and commitment to Catholicism provided the central theme for nearly all of his thirty novels. The novel begins with the death of the pope and the arrangements for a conclave to elect…

You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” John 3:7 STORY Tom Monaghan needed money if he was going to study architecture at the University of Michigan and one day follow in the footsteps of his idol Frank Llyod Wright. Borrowing $900 from his brother, he bought DomiNick’s pizza shop in nearby Ypsilanti, followed by the purchase of a second store in Mount Pleasant. In order to save money for “sign making” he dropped the “ick” from DomiNick and added an “o.” Thus began, in 1960, the second largest pizza franchise in the world – Domino’s…