When Bernard of Clairvaux Lost His Brother

Check out the previous posts about saints who wrote about their sorrows at the loss of a loved one here and here. Bernard of Clairvaux was preaching through Song of Songs when, in sermon 26 of the series, he began to talk of his brother Gerard, who had lately died. His words are the sortContinue reading “When Bernard of Clairvaux Lost His Brother”

Is Grief Embarrassing?

In 1961 publishing house Faber and Faber printed a new book by N.W. Clerk entitled A Grief Observed. Clerk was writing about his recently deceased wife who is referred to throughout the book as simply “H.”  The initial reviews seemed to be mixed. While some appreciated the candid look at the grieving process, other found the opennessContinue reading “Is Grief Embarrassing?”

Not Merry, Not Jolly: Christmas for The Rest of Us

The Grinch. Scrooge.  Two names synonymous with failing to be sufficiently gleeful during the Christmas season. Or, at the very least, names given to those who do not have the so-called “Christmas spirit.” The Christmas spirit is, after all, the mood of being jolly, making merriment, being joyful, “singing loud for all to hear,” asContinue reading “Not Merry, Not Jolly: Christmas for The Rest of Us”

When Martin Luther Lost a Daughter

Martin Luther is one of the most famous men in the last 500 years. Seen as the fire starter of the Protestant Reformation, his actions are seen as among the most important to move Christendom away from Rome. Through his life, he endured many trials for his stance, the most difficult trial in his life,Continue reading “When Martin Luther Lost a Daughter”

Baptists: What Happened to Regenerate Church Membership? Part II

Many years ago, someone asked Dr. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in Manhattan this via Twitter: “Can a person be a Christian without being a member of a church?” Dr. Keller’s answer was, in essence, “Yes, but not an obedient one.”  His answer was an important and instructive one. One can repent and giveContinue reading “Baptists: What Happened to Regenerate Church Membership? Part II”