During World War II a young pastor named J.B. Phillips discovered the youth in his congregation didn’t understand the King James Version of the Bible. He used his time in the bomb shelters during the London Blitz to translate Colossians into modern English.  The results appealed to the young people who found it easier to understand than the King James Version.  Encouraged by their feedback, after the war Phillips continued translating the New Testament.

In addition to his work as a translator, over the course of his ministry, Phillips wrote a number of books.  One of these had a provocative title:  “Your God is Too Small”.

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A week ago, while on vacation in Kansas City, I found myself in a bookstore.  I didn't plan on purchasing anything; I was just killing time.  We were waiting to see a movie, and since a Barnes and Noble was next door to the theater complex, I suggested we hang out there.

As I walked around the store I made my way to the bargains section.  There, a title caught my eye:  "Faces of the Civil War."  It featured the photo of a man in uniform.  He had a determined look in his eye.  The book was subtitled:  "An Album of Union Soldiers."

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It's a little past 2:00am

What am I doing up at this time of the night?

I was thirsty.  Really, really thirsty.

I came home sick yesterday afternoon.  It hit me all of a sudden; first a little queasiness, followed by nauseousness.  Soon I was suffering the consequences of a full-blown gastrointestinal illness.

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A few weeks ago Our Saviour's received a package in the mail.  The package was addressed to the "Church Librarian/Pastor". 

The address label indicated that the package came from CAIR. 

I had never run across this acronym before and had no idea who had sent us the package.

I opened the box.  Inside was a book.  No surprise there.  But the book wasn't just any book.  It was a copy of the Quran, the Islamic holy book.  

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It is nine o’clock in the morning.   But as I type this it is as dark as night.  It looks like it could begin pouring out any moment.

This morning I am thinking about an ancient phenomenon—one that is known as the Dark Night of the Soul. 

The term “Dark Night of the Soul” comes to us from St. John of the Cross, a sixteenth century Spanish monk and mystic.     

Lutherans have their own version of the Dark Night of the Soul.  It is known as Anfechtungen. 

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