Category Archives: Suffering

Not a Pretty Look!

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Bob Bjerkaas

One of the things that I love about the English language is the way in which it freely borrows words from other cultures and languages in its quest for clarity and specificity.  From the French language we have bon voyage … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Suffering | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Black Beauty and Cultural Creation

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Bob Bjerkaas

When we see things around us that we do not approve of, one of our first instincts as human beings is to complain.  Complaining comes more naturally to the human being than breathing itself.  Many of us had to be … Continue reading →

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My Grandmother’s Squint

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Bob Bjerkaas

My Grandfather is in hospice. He is in his very last days.  Every time my phone buzzes or chimes I am expecting to hear the news that he is with the Lord.  Needless to say, he has been on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Marriage, Sanctification, Suffering | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

When Jesus Says No

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Bob Bjerkaas

I loved those old Southwest Airlines commercials that had the tag line, “Wanna get away?” The commercials all featured someone who got themselves into an awkward or humiliating situation and for a moment you share with the ad’s protagonist a … Continue reading →

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A Fried Hard Drive and a Big God

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Bob Bjerkaas

Returning to my office after two weeks of vacation brought one incredibly unpleasant surprise.  My Computer had overheated and the hard drive “fried.”  All of my files that were saved on my work computer are gone.  Thankfully, my doctoral work … Continue reading →

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A Stone of Help: One Year Later!

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Bob Bjerkaas

“Here I raise my Ebenezer!”  These are words that many of us grew up singing in that great hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”  But what do they mean? The second verse of that hymn reads: Here I raise … Continue reading →

Posted in Suffering, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating God’s Goodness, a Gift, and Wisdom from the Mouth of Babes

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Bob Bjerkaas

I am grateful.  Many of you have joined me in prayer that God would help me through this recovery and that I would be able to return to my preaching ministry.  This past Sunday I preached my first post-surgery sermon.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Homiletics/Preaching, Suffering, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Preaching, Paralysis, and Pounds: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Bob Bjerkaas

First the good news – I will be returning to my pulpit on November 19.  It will have been three months since I last preached and, based upon this post title’s alliteration, I might be a bit rusty!  I haven’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Suffering | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Bald Spots, Pot Bellies, and Plugins

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Bob Bjerkaas

This has been quite a month.  At my two month follow-up with the neurosurgeon, I got a good report – things are healing nicely.  But he also said that my issues with speech and swallowing are going to take a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Suffering | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Spitting, Whistling, And Drinking Soda from a Can

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Bob Bjerkaas

Have you ever felt that your prayer requests were too trivial?  That somehow God would be offended if you brought unimportant matters to his attention? Over the course of my ministry, I have met with a number of folks who … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Prayer, Suffering | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments