Author: njumcadmin

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 In 2000 while I was attending the University of Evansville, evangelist Luis Palau came to town.  Palau began ministry as a Spanish translator for Billy Graham before starting a similar ministry that was modeled after Graham’s.   In the lead up to the event, there was a call for volunteers who would … [Read more…]

In 1933 a new pulp magazine debuted that featured a hero who was a wealthy playboy by day and the world’s greatest detective at night.  He would don a mask and catch the criminals that eluded the police.   In the magazine the police commissioner even installed a special light that he would shine into the … [Read more…]

Scripture: 1 John 2:28-3:3 In human history we accomplished so much.  We invented and mastered agriculture which has enabled us to thrive, we continue to make breakthroughs in combating illnesses, we put people on the moon, and someday we will likely put people on other planets.  It seems that with enough time, cooperation, and resources … [Read more…]

It has been my observation that over the past few years more and more people have begun to go along with the commercial push to start the “Christmas season” as early as November 1st.  The past few years I have noticed on social media that people making posts about putting their Christmas tree up in … [Read more…]

Scripture:  2 Kings 2:23-25 Rachel Held Evans was a well-known force in Christian literature.  From 2012 to her death in 2019, she managed to write four books that all managed to have quite an impact on a number of people.  Because the written word can long outlive the author, even though she passed away at … [Read more…]

Scripture:  Matthew 22:1-14 Like most young children Graham Day was counting down the days until his birthday.  To celebrate turning eight he was having a birthday party neighborhood kids and classmates were all invited, the cake was made, and the boxes of pizza were delivered.   However, no one came.   To make it worse, this was … [Read more…]

Matthew 21:33-46 Literature can be dangerous.  Words are already powerful, and when those words are expertly crafted to deliver a point they can cut deep.  When those cutting words are directed to critique or shame the powerful and comfortable there will often be consequences and retaliation.  This last week a lot of libraries marked and … [Read more…]

It used to be that Halloween was the one day a year that we got to dress up in elaborate costumes.  However, that has changed in recent years.   Dressing up in costumes is now a hobby in its own right.   It is called cosplay, and it is popular enough that national craft stores will often … [Read more…]

Scripture:  Matthew 20:1-16 A number of years ago, I took a group of teenagers to Plainfield United Methodist Church to volunteer with a ministry they ran that provided food to homeless communities in downtown Indianapolis.   I ended up doing this a number of times over a year long period, and it really opened up my … [Read more…]

In 1990 a new show premiered on TV with the following opening, “In the criminal justice system the people are represented by two separate but importantly equal groups the police who investigate the crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.  These are their stories (dun-dun).”  This show was Law & Order, and it … [Read more…]