Fear and Trembling

The entire territory of Puerto Rico is without power, and the power may be down for months.  Houston, Texas, has only begun the cleanup efforts after their hurricane.  Not to mention other islands in The Caribbean and our own Florida Keys.  Hurricane season is far from over. An earthquake in Mexico has killed over 200 people, with the body count still rising.  This while Operation Christmas Child did not collect enough shoeboxes world-wide last year to give all the eligible children in Mexico City alone a gift-filled shoebox. The Reformed African American Network thoroughly documents past and current racial injustice in this country.  My own amateur research into officer involved fatalities shows they disproportionally effect the African-American and especially the Mexican-American communities. Operation Heal our Patriots estimates that over 48,000 service members have been wounded or injured since the 9/11/2001 attacks.  The Department of Veteran’s Affairs estimates that

The Nashville Statement , a statement of Christian belief on LGBT matters published by The Center for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) , has caused many electrons to be arranged across internet pathways recently.  The Major of Nashville condemned the statement , tweeting: “The @CBMWorg's so-called "Nashville Statement" is poorly named and does not represent the inclusive values of the city & people of Nashville.”  Other condemnation has followed, including statements from Jesuit Rev. James Martin , “a well-known Catholic priest, author and adviser to the Vatican on communications.” One video clip even seems to link the statement to the recent, white-supremacist-inspired violence in Charlotesville. I respect many of the initial signatories on moral issues, including Rosaria Butterfield, author of The Secret thoughts of an Unlikely Convert ; R. C. Sproul; Kevin DeYoung, author of What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality ; J. I. Packer; and Jo

What follows is a sermon that I had the privilege of preaching at my home church a few weeks ago.  Some associated parts of the liturgy are included. New Testament Reading: John 10:1-18 Epistle Reading: Revelation 7:8-17 Sermon Text: Psalm 23 The Lord Is My Shepherd A Psalm of David. 1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3     He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness     for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,     I will fear no evil, for you are with me;     your rod and your staff,     they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;     my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the       Lord forever. Sermon: Our Great Shepherd is

“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!” —Martin Luther