We are so prone to complain to and lose faith in God because our days are teeming with various challenges. I was encouraged this morning by one of C. H. Spurgeon's (1834-1892) sermon illustrations. I have sometimes admired a dog for his economical use of comforts. When it has been a long, rainy day, the … Continue reading There is always something to be thankful for!
Ultimately There Are No Tragedies
One day in October 2010, in Baku, Azerbaijan, I was killing some time before I picked up my children from school, sitting in a playground near the school. It was a small one between two apartment buildings. And in the playground, there was only one boy, about six or seven years of age. He climbed … Continue reading Ultimately There Are No Tragedies
Jesus, Too, Met a Storm (Mark 4 [マルコ4章])
After a long day at work, I would think I am entitled to a respite---albeit short---wouldn't I? After all, I put my time and effort into work. No one would object to my taking a break. Reading Mark 3-4, however, I realized that Jesus had been exhausted from his teaching ministry. Wherever he went, there … Continue reading Jesus, Too, Met a Storm (Mark 4 [マルコ4章])
When Tragedy Comes
One of the most besetting questions being asked is “Why does God allow evil and human suffering in this world? How would a loving and compassionate God allow such things?” Some are indeed serious about finding a satisfactory answer to this theological challenge. Others, however, seem to use this question as an excuse to dismiss … Continue reading When Tragedy Comes
When We Are in Profound Distress (BWV 641)
https://youtu.be/3gLsEt3sEIk?feature=shared&t=8 To many (I believe), it is almost indisputable that Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) marks the apogee of the Baroque period (seventeenth to mid-eighteenth centuries). His organ chorale titled "Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein" (When We Are in Profound Distress) (BWV 641) is from the Orgelbüchlein, a collection of his chorale preludes (1712-1717). The … Continue reading When We Are in Profound Distress (BWV 641)