After my heart surgery, still in ICU, my memory failed me. Could not answer doc’s questions like: who was I? Where was I? Etc Then suddenly I was normal. Neurologist said I had a tiny stroke but my brain had already rewired itself. “Fearfully and wonderfully made.” Praise God.

My wife and I visited a dear friend yesterday who is near death from cancer. We prayed with her and her husband. Her body is so very wasted but her spirit is not. “I am not afraid” she said, clearly and firmly. She is dying well as the Puritans would say.

In desperation I got a cup of McDonald’s coffee this morning. Even though I am a coffee snob I have to say it was decent. Not bad at all.

We befriended an Army officer during our time in Okinawa. He is now attending law school. He wants to interview me for a class project on formal and informal conflict resolution in the PCA. I am looking forward to our conversation on both BCO and pastoral experience.

We should not be scornful of local, civil government. Was reminded this morning that the Lord used the Town Clerk of Ephesus, a bureaucrat, to save Paul’s life during the riot that broke out against him. Acts 19.35f. Even local government is a gift from God.

Not a night owl but I would love to have heard Paul’s all night sermon at Troas. Acts 20.6,11

“The preacher’s commission is to declare the whole counsel of God; but the cross is the center of that counsel, and the Puritans knew that the traveler through the Bible landscape misses his way as soon as he loses sight of the hill called Calvary.” J.I. Packer

Me to wife: “ What time do you think you will be back from the baby shower?” She, rolling eyes: “I don’t know. These things go on forever.”

Just finished this. I grew up on the great lakes and got close to the big lake freighters. Have long been fascinated by the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Listen to The Gales of November by John U. Bacon on Audible. audible.com/pd/B0FFCPCSR3?…

Love this

Congratulations to the UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams who had great seasons, falling short in their final games.

I guess this is a man thing. I have plenty to do but I'd rather watch these guys work.

In CT today. Got to stop at Reins NY Style Deli in Vernon. An excellent lunch spot. Having a corned beef Rac hel on seedless rye. FYI Rac hel is cousin to a Reuben. Rac hel has coleslaw,Reuben has sauerkraut

At the Speech and Hearing clinic at UConn. Due for new hearing aids. The technology is astounding and I am grateful. But man's technology can't compare with the wisdom of Him who made the ear

Tearfully preached the funeral of a dear believing friend today. We served the Lord and were spiritual brothers for over 40 years. Five of his adult children gave eloquent testimony to the life of their godly father. Looking forward to seeing him again in the life to come

When I start to grumble about how expensive everything is I think about the couple in my son’s congregation in Mexico who cross the Rio Grande into the US several times a week to sell their blood at a hospital for money to buy groceries for their family.

Really enjoying my sermon prep for “A house not made with hands” from 2 Cor 5.1-8. I couldn’t appreciate this as much when my friends and I were younger and healthier. It is very sweet to me now. Even our “groaning” has a heavenly focus.

Read this while living in the Highlands. Absolutely loved it. He describes a regiment of Highland troops boarding a ship for France in WW1. As they boarded they were singing Psalms. MacRae was a faithful pastor. Often did visitation on his bicycle.

Thanks to Dr David T Irving for this article. MacRae’s diary is out of print but if enough interested people emailed the Banner of Truth perhaps they would reprint it? Would love to see this in the hands of the next generation of Gospel Ministers. Banner of Truth

“Never preach a sermon which has not sufficient in it – used of the Spirit – to lead a soul to Christ”. Pastor Kenneth MacRae (1883-1964) Served in the Free Church of Scotland.