Soren writes of the Apostle Paul's "Thorn In The Flesh" pouring "All of the agony into the brevity of the moment." This episode explores the existence of pain and joy in the same cup. And the more God uses us for His purposes, the more we may suffer.

Soren in developing his Upbuilding Discourse on Paul's "Thorn in the Flesh" reminds us, his readers, that we "Don't Have Too Many Moments To Waste On Worldly Sorrow."

In light of eternity, they are brief and passing.

The Apostle Paul is seen by many as a deluded impostor who had a selfish and egotistical scheme to create a new religion based on the teachings of an executed rabbi from Nazareth. A backwater town. Which resulted in the Apostle Paul enduring hardships like his Lord. Sounds like a bad deal unless it is actually true.

The thorn in the flesh seems particularly harrowing and painful. And was sent and allowed by God to keep Paul humble in light of the exceedingly great revelation he had received from the risen Jesus.

As a companion to the podcast, I'll be posting some thoughts about my Copenhagen trip recently here: https://bierkergaard.blogspot.com/

My buddies and I were blessed to be able to hang around a fire with Sune from Copenhagen, Denmark. Where we were able to practice "Hygge" which is a Danish word for comfort/cozy. It is the intro for the other episode for today.

We had an interesting night discussing the US presidential election and related matters as well some of the issues in Denmark. We were eating Brats, drinking my Homebrew Belgian Triple with Lavender, and a couple of us smoking pipes and being professorial.

And hanging out with Rue the dog who is one of the kindest canines I know.

First things first...

So, I have changed the picture that fronts the podcast. I also have changed the category from "Christianity" to "Philosophy." Both changes seem to fit more of where the podcast is and where I want it to be.

Me standing next to one of the two Soren Kierkegaard statues in Copenhagen embodies my goal of staying close to his legacy and his writings. Christ at the center.

Philosophy means "Lover of Wisdom" and how Christianity has lost its wisdom to a degree these days in an exchange for a bowl of political lentils/stew like Esau is disheartening. We have sold our birthright to fill our carnal hunger for power and other nefarious appetites (revenge, etc).

As an aside, I was struggling in the episode to remember what "Philo" meant in the Greek. It means love. Sophia means wisdom.

This episode continues to build on the Upbuilding Discourse on the Apostle Paul's "Thorn in the Flesh." An excruciating and chronic pain that Paul had in his body. In looking at the Greek word translated as "thorn"actually means "stake" and it is an instrument designed for torture.

Chronic pain will splinter our worldly dreams of personal peace and prosperity, what Francis Schaeffer called the two idols of American Evangelicals. The Cross tells us that God himself took the stake on our behalf.

God can use our worldly brokenness (the withered splendor of fulfillment) to bring a greenwood and eternal hope to us and others. Where do we place our hope?

Yes, my good friends in the podcast universe, I am back from Copenhagen where I walked around 70 miles retracing Soren's steps. And endured the thorn of flying to Europe and back as a 6'8" man in a 5'10" world. The Big Man got a bit broken and then blessed in Copenhagen. Like one of those delicious rolls that come out of Danish ovens. Sometimes we want to put the blessing before the brokenness but I don't think that is how it always works. Sometimes it goes the other way.

I go on a major riff on my trip today to Copenhagen, talking about matters of such things. And, some personal reflection on my pain of over 40 years with my knee and head. Finally, we end with Soren's first paragraph of the Upbuilding Discourse "Thorn In The Flesh" and how the term is torn from its biblical context and used lightly and superficially to refer almost anything that doesn't go our way. Even the trivial. This verse was certainly about a serious matter and we need to see it in that light and what God may be saying to us through Paul's awful physical infirmity. That when he is weak (Paul), Jesus is strong. One who endured the thorns and Cross for us.

Soren assures the Christian that the peace of God is only through God himself. Our trust in his goodness towards us provides patience and calmness.

Pray for me as I head to Copenhagen next week to walk where Soren walked. I'll see if I have the time to do an episode next Wednesday before I depart.

The week after is likely going to have to wait as I will be flying back to the States.

Soren observes that people can go to church and not experience God. At all. As if God is not there. Yet, the Christian has God in him and with him all of the time.