by Peter James | Mar 20, 2025 | Reginald Heber
What do you do when the people in your church sing poorly? Reginald Heber (1783-1826) was called to pastor a small church along the coast of England. Reginald, also a competent musician, found the singing rather dreadful. So, he started writing hymns to accompany...
by Peter James | Mar 19, 2025 | George MacDonald
George MacDonald’s (1824-1905) initial foray into preaching was short-lived. His congregation complained that his sermons were overly imaginative and not dogmatic enough–so much so that he resigned after three years and took up writing, specializing in...
by Peter James | Mar 18, 2025 | St. Patrick Breastplate 3rd
Legend has it that Patrick (385-461) used a shamrock to teach the Irish people about the Trinity. Since the shamrock is a three-leafed plant, it’s a useful metaphor to illustrate our three-in-one God. To set the record straight, there is no mention of a...
by Peter James | Mar 17, 2025 | St. Patrick Breastplate 2nd
Patrick (385-461) arrived in Ireland to begin his missionary work in 432. He faced fierce opposition over the next thirty years particularly from Druids, sorcerers who practiced dark magic and cast evil spells on people. They made repeated attempts on Patrick’s life...
by Peter James | Mar 16, 2025 | St. Patrick Breastplate 1st
Patrick (ca. 385-461) may be regarded as a saint in the Catholic church but the opening line of his autobiography, Confession, reveals how he viewed himself, “My name is Patrick. I am a sinner.” Born along the coast of England, Patrick (or Patricius, his Latin name)...
