On Sunday, as we considered what it means to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18), I referenced a poem entitled, “Prayer,” by pastor/poet George Herbert (1593-1633). I include it below in its entirety for your … Read More
. . . in all circumstances
In Germany, today has been a normal gray November Thursday. In the USA, Americans are waking up to a national Thanksgiving Day holiday. In both places, however, there is a great deal of frustration that … Read More
A true Advent?
At this time last year, people were beginning to look forward to 2020. Many couldn’t help but imagine it would be special year of “vision,” since 20/20 is the way opticians describe perfect sight. (People … Read More
An extended Advent?
Yesterday’s announcement from Chancellor Merkel that Germany is entering another lock-down for the month of November was, more or less, expected, given the headlines of similar announcements around Europe, but it is discouraging, nonetheless. We … Read More
Want Peace? Be Thankful
Fear and anxiety are natural reactions to pestilence, sickness, tragedy, financial loss and other uncertainty. In fact, they may be appropriate reactions. Those who do not acknowledge God have no reason not to panic whenever … Read More
10,000 Days
Another rainy dreary day in Berlin, today, and I’m feeling a bit contemplative on what is supposed to be an off-day for me. The fact that we are already well into the third month of … Read More
Lesser Crowns
In our previous post we began looking at the epistle reading for Septuagesima Sunday: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such … Read More
A crown that lasts
We have entered our annual “liturgical countdown” to celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. This past Sunday in the church calendar is called Septuagesima, or the Sunday closest to 70 days before Easter. It is the … Read More
Kites of Teufelsberg
A few minutes walk from our apartment is the 120-meter high, man-made Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain). This hilltop plateau with views of the city and the surrounding Grunewald (Green Forest) was made from some 75 million … Read More
Thanksgiving in Shipwreck
Sunday before last, we finished our year-long sermon series in Luke/Acts, ending with Luke’s amazing narrative in Acts 27, in which he records his first-hand experience with a storm at sea. It is high drama, … Read More