Monthly Archives: April 2013

Personal Responsibility for Sin

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Question: “We live in a time when it has almost become common to hear about school shootings, deranged killers in malls, or people going ‘postal’ at work. Something must really be wrong with the people who do these things! It seems that most of them have been mistreated or abused in some way—by family, bosses, coworkers, others at school, etc. Does this explain why these people go on these killing rampages? And does it excuse what they do?” (L. in Pennsylvania)

My Answer:  I remember the horror at hearing about the Columbine shooting in 1999. Thirteen people senselessly killed at the hands of some misguided, disturbed, and (yes) very evil teenagers. My sense of outrage and sorrow over this tragedy was compounded by the way some people dealt with the event. At the time the media was tripping over themselves trying to find an explanation. It was Hollywood’s fault. It was the fault of the NRA and those rabid 2nd Amendment folk. It was their parents’ fault. Perhaps most commonly heard was the hindsight analysis that these two boys had been bullied, made fun of, and picked on. Here was the reason for their outrageous behavior. I distinctly remember one lady in our church almost defending the killers—she understood what it was like to be the brunt of bullies. She felt sorry for them.  Continue reading →

Remember…

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Today I write with no glib words, no zany humor, and no flowery expressions. I write with sobriety and solemnity. Today…I call on all of us to remember.

Today is April 8. I want to take you back to another April 8, on a Sunday, exactly 68 years ago. It is 1945, and although their end is rapidly approaching, for the moment the National Socialists still reign supreme in Germany.

In your mind’s eye see a prisoner, a German man incarcerated in a German prison. He has a squarish face, rather common looking. His rimless glasses help give him an ordinary look. He seems so average. Yet, his appearance belies the uniqueness, indeed, the brilliance of the man.

Although a political prisoner, a prisoner of conscience (these words have never been applied more truly), this man is also a Christian—and a pastor. He has gathered about him in Schoenberg Prison a group of faithful believers to worship and study together.

This imprisoned church has just finished its Sunday morning worship. The pastor has just said the final “Amen.” Suddenly two soldiers appear at the door. They call out the pastor’s name and deliver an order: “Make ready and come with us.” The small group of believers looks at their pastor with a mixture of terror and compassion in their eyes. They know the meaning of these words. This is the standard summons issued to a condemned prisoner.

The pastor rises and prepares to leave with the soldiers. However, just before he exits, he turns and says to one of his flock: “This is the end—but for me, the beginning—of life.” Moving words from a deeply spiritual man.

The next day, Monday, April 9, 1945, the pastor is executed by hanging. Continue reading →

Can the Devil Read Our Minds?

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Question: “My wife said that she had been told somewhere that we can think a prayer or request  of God in our mind, but if we wish to rebuke Satan we must say it verbally, out loud. What does  Scripture teach? The question actually is, can Satan read our minds?” (G. in Roanoke)

My Answer: This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions that I have heard
through the years. Many people wonder about this. Some even worry over it. What does the
Bible say?

First of all, the Bible doesn’t give a clear answer. There is no where in Scripture where it says
that the Devil can or cannot read our minds. However, with that said, there are some passages
that give us some insight into this matter. Continue reading →

The Most Real

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I remember a number of years ago when we were still living in the mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania. Sue (my wife) had an appointment down in Uniontown, at the bottom of the mountain. I drove her to town, dropped her off and then went for a drive. After running a couple of errands, I thought I would find somewhere to relax and spend some time in much needed prayer and meditation. Having decided this, I drove onto the grounds of a monastery and retreat center that is located in town.

Before this, I had never explored those grounds. They are truly beautiful. This land had once been the estate of one of the local coal barons who prospered in the area decades ago. There is a stately, almost majestic quality to the landscape. Ancient trees overhang neatly trimmed lawns and dot the ridges of rolling hillocks. Scattered among these lovely old trees are a number of shrines and statues of various saints. There are also park benches placed at various spots, inviting you to stop and meditate. I took advantage of one such spot. Continue reading →

Too Close To The Tree

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I have often been accused of having a wacky sense of humor. No, let me rephrase that. For wacky is too kind a word. Actually, at various and sundry times my sense of humor has been called weird, morbid, macabre, silly, strange, odd, or bizarre. Indeed, I have repeatedly heard the comment: “You’re just not normal.”

Now such comments would hurt and sting, except for one very important fact. All these statements are basically true. My sense of humor tends to the unusual. But I come by my perverse way of looking at life legitimately. You know that old saying… the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Well, in my case this is true, because I think I get my sense of humor from my father, who had his own unique brand of humor. (By the way, both apples from this tree are a tad odd… my sister, Connie, is every bit as bizarre as I am when it comes to what tickles our respective funny bones!) Continue reading →