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  • Revived

    Several years after I moved my site to a new hosting service, I finally dug into the details of importing the database that runs this WordPress site. Other than this post, every entry appears in content—not appearance—as it did in 2012.

  • What Became of the Shepherds’ Flock?

    In his sermon for Christmas Eve, our pastor, preaching on St. Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus Christ, wondered aloud what the shepherds did with their flock after they had heard the angels’ assurance of the birth of the Savior and their promise of the sign the shepherds would…

  • A Dependable Foundation

    Introduction St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church, Lincoln, Neb., celebrates the Holy Eucharist on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. The parish’s rector, Father Jerry Thompson, asked me to lead worship on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. The liturgy featured the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, transferred from October 28.…

  • Officiating of Contracts and Blessings of Covenants

    The October 2012 issue of The Lutheran, the news magazine of the ELCA, contains an article, “Lutherans & Politics,” by Darrel H. Jodock, appearing on pp. 20–25. On p. 24, the article states: In matters of public policy, the distinction between the two governances means the church is not to insist…

  • The Fort Sumter Issue of 1961: A Commemorative in Conflict

    Note Here is the text of the abstract for a presentation I will make in late 2012. Abstract Postal History Symposium Blue & Gray: Mail and the Civil War November 2–3, 2012 American Philatelic Center, Bellefonte, Pa. The Fort Sumter Issue of 1961: A Commemorative in Conflict David M. Frye…

  • Thoughts About “The End of a Kansas Tradition: Moderation”

    A blog on the Web site of the New York Times reflected upon The End of a Kansas Tradition: Moderation. It’s always hard to put one’s finger on exactly what causes bodies of people to “flock” in particular directions. Nebraska, where I live, voted for FDR in 1932 and 1936,…

  • Thoughts About “An Ideology without Promise”

    Michael Gerson’s column, “An Ideology Without Promise,” appeared on the Web site of the Washington Post on Sept. 20, 2012. Mr. Gerson’s attempt to help us see the need for subtlety and distinction in an age where the broad brush and the generalization are rampant is a noble one. I’d…

  • Mail and the Civil War Attracts Postal Historians

    New Oxford, Pa, — September 21, 2012 — The role of mail in the Civil War will serve as the focus of “Blue & Gray: Mail and the Civil War” when the seventh annual Postal History Symposium meets at the American Philatelic Center, Bellefonte, Pa., on Nov. 2–4, 2012. Produced…

  • Musing about “The Distress of the Privileged”

    A Facebook friend suggested reading a column on The Weekly Sifting, “The Distressed of the Privileged.” This morning I set aside time to print, read, and ponder this “sifting.” I found much to think through, but am drawn to one the “first things” in the column—privilege. I’m always on guard…

  • A Choice in the Matter

    I’ve spent a bunch of time thinking about the upcoming presidential election. One of the ways I’ve approached the debate is to search for the deeper issues lurking below the pageantry, the bluster, the ads, the soundbites, and so on. The first observation is that the political spectrum in the…