A Is The First Letter
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Following a service of worship, a woman once came to me and said, "Fifteen years ago my 15-year old daughter died. Why did God do this to me?" The shaking of her voice and the pain in her face revealed the depth of her pathos. For those 15 years she had kept her daughter's bedroom exactly as it was when she died. She had never resolved the deep hurt, loss and bitterness.
She was not alone. Her pain placed her in the long history of human brokenness. The Scriptures are replete with occasions of suffering and questions addressed to heaven, "O God, where are you?"”O God, Why?”
The psalm writers knew so well the depths that none of us can avoid. Let us get in touch with this troubling dimension of life through the scripture lessons.
'Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters and the flood sweeps over me...My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God." --Psalm 69:1-3
O Lord, my God, I call for help by day; I cry out in the night before thee. Let my player come before thee, incline thy ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol .....You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all you waves .... Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in chaos? Are your wonders known in the darkness?
Psalm 88:1-3, 6-7, 11-12
Jesus took a cup and said, 'Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the
Where is the love of God in the brokenness of life? Is divine love wrapped around the harshness and hardness of our experience? Our scripture lesson not only recites the travail of the ancient psalmist in his seemingly empty cries to the heavens, cries that reverberate within the whole stream of humanity, cries evoked by the words of Jesus at the Table: "This is my body broken; take, eat, all of you':
The dictionary defines “broken” in a variety of ways: separated into parts; damaged or altered; interrupted or full of obstacles; made weak or infirm; disconnected. These suggest both the full range of Jesus' brokenness along with the extremities of the human condition. The wailful cry "My God, why have you forsaken me?" belongs to all of us.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
This is not simply a book about religion. It’s about life. Men, women and children in relation to each other and their world, their aspirations, disappointments, failures, fulfillment, terrors, surprises, loves, sickness, grief, values, questions and, yes, God--all shared within the circumference of your personal heights and depths.
You will meet the man who got kicked out of his garden, a clock that preaches sermons, a woman who had seven husbands, a dreamer beset with weird images, a son who ate with the pigs, a choice btween life and death, a religious notable who saw his dead daughter come to life, an address that describes how people can live together in peace and diminish causes of gross inhumanity. What happens when Jesus asks a woman for a drink or a member of a religious club asks Jesus for a theological position?
These are only hints of what is in this book. The book is about us today, our world, our issues, our disappointments, our lives and, yes, about God. “Down times” are common to each of us at one time or another. In those times we need compassion, not a lecture or theological arguments. It may be a word of forgiveness, not judgment; hope, not despair. We need someone to “walk” with us, to listen to us, to encourage us—not simply tell us that time heals everything. You are blessed if you have such friendships and support at home or work or church. If you currently have special needs I hope you may find something in the pages of this book that will be helpful. If you have comments or questions on your reading I would be pleased to hear from you.
Jesus dreamed of a new heaven and a new earth. We have our own dreams about the world we live in. Jesus dreamed of a new heaven and earth that symbolized the deepest yearnings of the human heart in which people can live together in peace, independence and freedom. So do you.
About the Author
With lifetime credentials as a minster and executive, in these sermons the Reverend Herb Eggleston unfailingly connects the biblical text to every day experience by his authentic use of story with insightful pastoral concern.
–The Rev. Dr. Edgar A. Towne, Professor of Theology, Emeritus, Christian Theological Seminary,
The Reverend Herb Eggleston’s thought provoking and eloquent sermons have enriched our lives in many ways. His wit and wisdom have inspired us every Sunday and our faith has grown stronger and more satisfying. We are blessed to have known him as he skillfully presented the insights of Scripture.
–Mary and Bob Linegar,
Many pastors have a passion for preaching. Herb Eggleston, however, is a preacher who has a passion for human need as it intersects the Biblical message. Reading one of his sermons is the next best thing to hearing it preached in his comfortable style. However you experience his insights and compassion drawn from the Scriptures and life experiences, you will be enriched and taken forward on your faith journey.
—The Reverend Dr. Ray J. Marquette, Associate Executive Presbyter Emeritus, Whitewater Valley Presbytery; Director of Development and Membership, Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis
.While I worked closely with Herb Eggleston when I was Chair of the Committee on Ministry we became staunch friends and still enjoy getting together. He is a thoughtful listener and invaluable friend. So I am pleased that he is sharing his experience and sermons with others through this volume. I am sure that everyone who reads this book will be richer for the experience in many ways—as I have as his friend. So, enjoy!
--Reverend Bill Clemenson, Retired,