Irv and I recently watched online as our oldest granddaughter graduated from Southeastern University in Florida. Though a long ceremony, the ceremony was only a snapshot in time as compared to the amount of time and effort that was invested into accomplishing the goal. There is a lot packed into what all the pomp and circumstance represent. And, of course, the graduation candidates always enter the auditorium walking to the accompaniment of the familiar song of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Sir Edward Elgar composed the melody in 1901 and it is reported that the title came from a line in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, “Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.” The phrase “pomp and circumstance&rdquo...

Father’s Day is June 18, 2023. That being the case, I thought I’d write on what it takes to be a godly father. It has turned into a two-part article, so bear with me. Let me begin by saying not every man with children is a father.  Fatherhood requires many qualities that some men do not have.  It requires sacrifice that some will not give. Before I get into the requirements to be a godly father let me state that it is a blessing of God to be a father. Children are a blessing (Psalm 127:3-5). In addition to being a blessing, being a father is also a huge responsibility because children mirror their parents (Exodus 20:5). Children incorporate the values, beliefs, and behaviors they see in their parents.  As the old .........

For many years Elsie and I, along with our children and assorted grandchildren, went to the Minnesota State Fair. We always made our way to the Agriculture Building where we learned about everything from gardening to beekeeping. Of great interest to us was the production of honey. How do the bees do it? There in the honey room where honey was judged, was our dear friend, Roger Olson. Roger, the “Honey Man,” was the co-owner of Mel-O-Honey and an expert on beekeeping and honey. Roger would describe for the crowds how bees make honey. Fascinating stuff! Roger, his wife, Jan, and their daughter, Shelley (Olson) Johnson, were members of our church so it was always a joy to spend some time with them.  Jan, Roger’s wife, ...

Have you ever been really thirsty; I’m talking about parched tongue thirsty? If you have then you know that nothing can quench thirst better than cool, clean water. When you’re that thirsty nothing else will do. I know that energy drinks and vitamin-infused waters are all the rage but just give me plain old water when I’m thirsty. If that’s the case in the physical realm how much more is it the case in the emotional and spiritual realms.

Are you emotionally thirsty? Here’s an example of what I mean. All of us have a deep desire to love and be loved by someone. Love for us is like water. We crave it from the moment we’re born. If we aren’t loved or don’t feel loved, we will become love thirsty.........

(This article is a reprint from a previously posted article in 2022. It is even more relevant today.)

We see it all around us. It bombards us through television, social media sites, magazines, virtually everywhere. What am I writing about? I’m focusing on the values and standards of the world. They all reflect the values and standards of the devil. We all know the devil is “the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10a), but how does he go about doing that? What is his playbook for working his nefarious purposes? I would suggest to you that in Romans 1:18-32, the Apostle Paul pulls back the curtain to give us a glimpse of the devil’s playbook. Let me walk you through each play that he ...

Back in my junior high and high school years we had a subject called “current events” in school. I don’t know if that is still taught since people have much more access to daily current events these days. Moment by moment news is available on our computers, tablets, and cell phones. Sometimes I open my cell phone to look something up or check my schedule and get overwhelmed with news items I have missed since the last time I used my phone. It is hard to keep up with and often imperative to take a break. I am not on Face Book, Tik Tok or Instagram. Yet the news and emails can be overwhelming. This influx of information, especially negative and useless information, is significantly contributing to depression across all age ...

You have heard the old adage, “happy wife, happy life.” I’ve heard it too and have used it over the years; but is it true? Will a happy wife produce a happy life? After years of observing marriages and counseling couples, my answer is a resounding NO! Why do I say that and why is it not the case?

Truly happy marriages require two happy partners not simply one. Both husband and wife need to be happy. Power in the relationship is evenly divided. This type of relationship is often termed “complementarian” because both partners love, respect, and honor each other, and roles in the relationship are clearly defined. Major decisions are discussed, prayed over, and both parties are “on the same page” ...

Genesis is often called the “book of beginnings” because it describes the beginning of everything from the beginning of the universe to the beginning of humanity to the beginning of sin and much more. Every major doctrine in the Bible finds its roots in Genesis from sin, atonement, sacrifice, Messiah, justification, etc. That is why Bible scholars call it the “seedplot of the Bible” because the seeds of every major doctrine are found in Genesis.

In this issue of Hopeline I want to focus on Genesis 4. Many have written far better than me on the disastrous events of Genesis 3 in which Adam and Eve plunge all of humanity into sin. I want to describe what happened to them and their descendants east of Eden in their post...

It has been a very long winter in Minnesota. I am looking forward to spring. I am also looking forward to the lasting results of the Asbury Revival of 2023. Stephen A. Seamands was a senior student during the Asbury Revival of 1970. He later returned as a faculty member at Asbury Theological Seminary for nearly 40 years. He commented that the atmosphere of the revival was quiet and serene. It was like a veil was pulled back and students could see Jesus for the first time. Similar revivals began on other campuses of both Christian and secular schools. Seamans believes that it will take at least 30 years to totally understand what happened in 2023 and what the lasting results will be.

I believe the immediate results depend upon individuals ...

Do you have child or young adult who is not a Christian or not living for Christ? Perhaps they are hostile to the Christian faith. What can you do? In his short letter to Philemon, sent from prison, the Apostle Paul details four principles to solving problem relationships. We would do well to pay attention to these ancient principles for they apply to problem relationships with our children, relatives, or others even today.

First, some background on the epistle of Philemon. The Apostle Paul is languishing in a Roman prison awaiting his court date with Caesar. While in prison he has encountered Onesimus, a runaway slave. Onesimus had stolen money from his master, Philemon, and fled to Rome. Paul led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Now he is ...