We have Frank’s computerized sermons on file from eleven years of his being pastor
in a church, as well as other sermons that were delivered in other
places where he was invited to speak. Frank volunteered his time free of
charge, since we had a business that provided our means of support.
Each week I scan for publication one of these sermons for inclusion
in the Sermon section of our Website. Today I scanned one entitled “The
Joy of the Lord is Your Strength” which was originally given at The
Federated Church of Athens in Athens, New York on the 22nd of January
1995. This sermon will be published on our Website next Sunday morning,
which coincidentally also happens to be January 22nd!
I really enjoy preparing these sermons for several reasons. They are
spiritually uplifting and give me hope in this fallen world. They remind
me of the long journey our lives have taken, and I am filled with thanks
for God’s bringing us together forty-five years ago. When I say “fallen
world” I am not being “holier than thou.” After all, we are all part of
this “fallen world.” Some of us, however, respond with a teachable heart
at some time in our lives, and we change. We become increasingly kinder
and more compassionate toward all of God’s creation (humans, animals,
and the environment). And in response to this change, we continue to
learn more and to change even more.
I will end this commentary with two quotations. The first one is from
Matthew 5:48. Jesus says, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your
Father in Heaven is perfect.” The second one is credited to John Henry
Newman: “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed
often.”
