Life's Inanities and Ironies

 Over the past week, I've been through surgery in preparation for a future kidney transplant. It has been rough, to say the least, especially when tied into some other things going on in my personal life. That's not the purpose of this blog, but it is something I felt led to tell you about today. I have had to have a urostomy, which is preparing me for the new kidney. Some changes have also been made in the meantime to how you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid—whatever it is—and I am having to pick up a larger share of my Part B. Thanks to you, Governor Braun. Fortunately, my youngest son has been able to be with me since I got home from the hospital and is making sure I don't do stupid things, forgetting that I am the age I am and what I've been through. A heartfelt thanks to you, Joshua. I have one more bit of thanks to offer, and that is to a cousin of mine, Mike Sherman. He created a GoFundMe to help cover a lot of my expenses over the last few weeks, and I am very g...

 In a world where faith is often reduced to bumper stickers and social media bios, the words of Jesus cut through the noise like a double-edged sword. "Why do you call me ' Lord, Lord ,' and do not do what I say?" ( Luke 6:46 , NIV). This isn't just a rhetorical question from a distant historical figure—it's a direct challenge from the King of Kings to anyone who claims to follow Him. As a fundamentalist Christian , I've spent years defending the literal truth of the Bible, standing firm against cultural shifts that dilute the Gospel. But this verse? It forces me to look inward. It's easy to shout "Lord!" from the pews or in heated debates, but living it out? That's where the rubber meets the road. This blog post is inspired by a homily I recently prepared for a group of like-minded believers—folks who, like me, hold the Scriptures as inerrant and unchanging. We gather in churches that prioritize biblical authority, separation from world...

Hello, fellow history enthusiasts and faith explorers! Today, we're zooming in on a pivotal moment in American religious history: the Cane Ridge Revival . This extraordinary event, held in August 1801 in rural Kentucky, stands as a cornerstone of the Second Great Awakening and the archetype for camp meetings that would sweep the nation. Drawing crowds of unprecedented size and sparking intense spiritual fervor, it not only transformed lives but also reshaped denominations and ignited a wave of evangelicalism. Let's dive into the details—its origins, key events, manifestations, and lasting legacy—based on historical accounts for a comprehensive view. Origins: Setting the Stage for Revival The Cane Ridge Revival didn't emerge in isolation; it was the climax of the "Great Revival in the West" (1797-1805), a series of awakenings on the American frontier. In the late 1790s, Kentucky was a spiritual wilderness—pioneers focused on survival amid moral laxity, with low ch...

Hello, fellow history buffs and spiritual seekers! Today, we're delving into one of the most transformative periods in American religious history: the Second Great Awakening . Spanning from the late 1790s to the 1830s, this Protestant revival movement reshaped faith, society, and even politics in the young United States. Unlike the more intense First Great Awakening of the 1740s, the Second was characterized by organized revivals, camp meetings , and a push for moral reform. It responded to a perceived spiritual decline and fueled everything from church growth to abolitionism . Let's explore its origins, key players, phases, theology, and lasting impacts, drawing on historical sources for a well-rounded view. Origins and Causes: A Response to Spiritual and Social Shifts The Second Great Awakening emerged amid a backdrop of religious apathy and societal change in post-Revolutionary America. By the late 18th century, Enlightenment rationalism, deism, and skepticism had eroded t...