“The Best Song Ever” — that’s what the name Song of Songs means as the title of a beautiful love poem in the Jewish Old Testament. In our Christian Bible, the name of the book is the Song of Solomon. I describe it as a love poem, but that’s really too genteel a label. It’s […]
I stumbled across this B.B. King blues song and was fascinated by how much meaning and feeling were packed into its simple lyrics: Nobody loves me but my mother, And she could be jivin’ too. Now you see why I act so funny, baby, When you do the things you do. Wow! Think of the […]
Anne LaMotte writes, “My mind is a bad neighborhood I shouldn’t go into alone. It’s too often 4:00 AM in one’s mind, the hour of the black dogs, and there are so many muggers and drive-by shootings and piles of dog [doo] you step in just when you’re starting to feel better about things.” (Operating Instructions, […]
Charles G. Finney (1792-1875) was the leading figure in America’s “Second Great Awakening.” He began his evangelistic preaching in central New York State, and his revivals became larger and larger, leading to many conversions all over the northeastern United States. Finney was a passionate and charismatic communicator, and his persuasive personality was a big part […]
Now that I’m (way) past fifty, I find myself reflecting on important episodes in my life that have helped shape the person I am. I’ve come to realize that much of my spiritual formation took place during my college years. Away from the comfort of my family and the strong church background I was brought […]
It was after some natural disaster – I’m thinking a hurricane or typhoon. I was struck by a picture of Jane Goodall comforting a chimpanzee. She was quoted as saying, “What can be more important?” I wrote it down at the time because I was offended. The disaster had taken numerous human lives and left […]
Our usual weekly ABC Messenger is taking a vacation this week. Have a wonderful, joyous, deeply meaningful Christmas celebration! — Love from the Staff and congregation of Altadena Baptist Church
You may have heard me tell this story before, because it has made quite an impression on me. Charley Wade was pretty old when I came to ABC, but he was still active in his career as an electrician. We bonded because both of us grew up around people in the building trades. His father had […]
Our Advent sermon series is Home for Christmas. This coming Sunday, Pastor Connie will preach about how Jesus found himself homeless during his time on earth. We’ve thought a lot about the increasing problem of homelessness recently. In the last two months, more homeless people have begun to show up at the church. One couple […]
Phillips Brooks was a young, promising Episcopal clergyman in Philadelphia. His six-foot-nine frame and his outgoing manner made him popular with the young people in his church and the community. In 1865, the church sent him on a trip to broaden his horizons. After some time traveling in Europe, he planned his schedule to end […]