I am working my way through D. A. Carson’s How Long, O Lord? In his section on “The Suffering People of God” Carson deals carefully and gently with what I consider the heart of the problem for the suffering of the faithful. How do we know what is “discipline” from God and what is, […]
Mack
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My sermon from this past Sunday, Advent 3 (Yr. A). The audio can be heard on St. B’s site, where you can subscribe to all our sermons. Third Sunday of Advent (December 11, 2016) Gospel Matthew 11:2-11 What are you expecting for Christmas? The season of Advent is a time of […]
Elizabeth’s essay Día De Muertos: Eat, Speak, And Remember posted this weekend. It is a wonderful reflection on the importance of remembering those who have died. As some Christians create these atrocious “hell houses” and most Americans get a bit silly with their costumes, this season can also be a gracious […]
The following is an essay I wrote for the local paper that appeared in last Sunday’s edition (September 8, 2016). Tuesday was the 4th Annual Mack Brady Memorial Match. Penn State beat Ohio State 4-2. Learning to Live: Celebrate Your Love A few weeks ago I was in Pittsburgh speaking […]
Reading D. A. Carson’s How Long, O Lord is bringing me to terms with some of the more basic premises that I was raised with, that on some level I still believe, but when taken to an extreme I realize are not only problematic, but wrong. For example, Carson here is […]
An old song with a new rendition by Derri Daugherty. It is a bit sappy (and I appreciate Derri’s updated lyrics, see the strikeout below) but it is a message I need to hear on a regular basis. If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain, And […]
Faith plays a major role in grief of any kind. But not in the way some people think. They often seem to have the idea that a person with strong faith does not grieve and is above this sort of thing. Moreover, these people imply that religious faith advocates stoicism. […]
Gen. 50:20 ואתם חשבתם עלי רעה אלהים חשבה לטבה This passage is the climax of the Joseph cycle, as his brothers realize that it is their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery, who is now lord in Egypt and holds their fate in his hands. Gen. 50:18 Then […]
As we have walked our path of grief many have lovingly offered us their love and support and I always offer my thanks and deep gratitude. (I hope it is always, if you have ever sent me a note or given me a nod or spoken words you intended as […]
Sermon for Sunday, 10 July 2016. St. Paul’s in Philipsburg, PA. Proper 10, Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Psalm 25:1-10 • Colossians 1:1-14 • Luke 10:25-37 Endure everything with patience Colossians 1:11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may […]