From a sermon by Lancelot Andrewes, English bishop and scholar, (1555-1626) The angel told the shepherds that the child born in the city of David was ‘a Savior…’ His name was Jesus, which means ‘God will save.’ And surely, there is no joy in the world like the joy of a man that […]
Fifty years ago today, on November 22, 1963, C. S. Lewis died of kidney failure. The death of one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century was overshadowed by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy one hour later. Lewis was already a popular writer in 1963, and in the half century since
225) 50 Years Ago Today Read More »
From “The Clergy of America: Anecdotes,” p. 91-94, published 1869 A writer in the Christian Review of 1839 gives the following account of a scene he himself witnessed. Speaking of Dr. Griffin, he says: We remember him on one occasion, preaching before a large evening assembly. As he entered the sanctuary,
216) An Old Preacher’s Plea Read More »
From a letter by Martin Luther to Doctor Benedict Paul, whose son had lately been killed by a fall from the top of a house. (Paraphrased from The Table Talk of Martin Luther, translated by William Hazlitt, 1857; available at <www.ccel.org> ) Although it is nowhere forbidden in Holy Scripture to mourn and grieve for
195) A “Measured Sorrow” Read More »
July the 14th, 1861 Washington DC My very dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days– perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
191) Last Letter to Sarah Read More »
Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of the movie Ways to Live Forever which is opening this weekend. While blockbuster movies from major movie companies may open in 3,000 theaters at one time, Ways to Live Forever is opening in only eight– so you may not need to bother looking for it at
101) Why Does God Make Little Children Get Sick and Die? Read More »
From a sermon entitled “Life Eternal” by Ralph Sockman (1889-1970) As I ponder Paul’s discussion of the body (in II Corinthians 4 & 5), it deepens my realization that personality does go on despite bodily changes. We are told that a human body undergoes a complete renovation every seven years (by the ongoing
(continued…) How did the young couple with the child born blind respond to Pastor John’s letter? They quit coming to church. This reaction was not to the letter in particular, but to the God of whom the letter spoke. The father said later that he still believed in God, and believed that God
70) Only in This Life (part two) Read More »
I will never forget February 13, 2005, the day our first grandchild was born. Our daughter and son-in-law invited us to the hospital to await the birth of their daughter. It seemed like a long wait, though it was probably no longer than usual. Finally the door we were watching opened and
69) Only in This Life (part one) Read More »
From the novel Jubilee (1966), by Margaret W. Alexander (1915-98); (Quoted in Conversations With God: Two Centuries of African-American Prayers, ed. by James M. Washington, pp. 211-212, HarperCollins). Brother Ezekiel held the (two year old) child down close to her mother’s face and said soothingly, “It’s your mama, Vyry, say hello to you maw.”
66) Tired of Suffering Read More »
