Today, Christmas 2015, I am embarking on a new adventure. I am not sure that it matters much, but maybe my kids and grandchildren will glean something helpful.  (I already know there will be plenty that they are going to find hard to swallow.)  And so I begin my blog.

 

I call this blog Brandyberry Bush.  Slight apologies to relatives with the same last name.  I say slight, because it is mine, it belongs to me as part of my identity, just as it is yours and part of you.  So be forewarned that I am quite opinionated about certain subjects.

 

Some of you could care less about such nonsense.   So here is the short list of subject categories that this blog with be organized by.   These are the “departments” of my blog: Bible and Theology, Baseball, Family, Music and Cigars.

 

Bible and Theology

I have a number of related projects going on in real life, as well as in my mind, that center around Biblical studies.  I have a series on Genesis that I have been teaching at the cigar lounge where I serve as a tobacconist.  Related to this, I am working on a parallel study tool (like a parallel Bible), but this project is going very slowly and deliberately.

My Bible studies will be previewed by members of the session at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, plus other select Reformed scholar/pastors whose opinions matter to me.  The studies represent my views, although I plan to acknowledge their disagreement on significant matters, plus they can interact, too!  I will also entertain respectful comments and interaction from readers.

The biblical studies will also necessitate articles on doctrinal matters.  I know already that the doctrines of the Trinity and hermeneutics will be dealt with in the early writings.

 

Baseball

What can I say?  I have been a big baseball fan for over fifty years.  The Cleveland Indians are my primary team, with the Pittsburgh Pirates right behind.  I will also delve into baseball history and my thoughts on the future of the sport.

 

Family

I love my family.  Plain and simple, I will not pretend to have all the answers, but I will write on marriage from the perspective of someone who has been in love with a great woman for more than forty years.  Together we have five great children and fourteen grandchildren  (we count “steps”) with one more on the way.

I also have an interest in genealogy.  There might be some interesting articles on the subject.

 

Music

I love music.  Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is my favorite composer.  Expect some information on music, especially some thoughts on late Renaissance and Baroque composers and their music.

I began doing arrangements in junior high, and some composing in high school and college.  But I gave it up until about twenty years ago, when I picked it up again for my mental health.

I am Reformed in my religious convictions and this has changed my views on music in the worship of God.  You may be in for a ride if you knew me thirty or more years ago, because I now hold to a view of worship described by something known as the Regulative Principle.

 

Cigars

Many of my contemporary acquaintances and friends can attest to my love for cigars, so they will probably feature prominently in this blog.   Expect some reviews and some views on Cigars and cigar culture.

 

Well, that should be enough preliminary information.  If you get anything at all, enjoy!

 

Ed Brandyberry

Christmas Day 2015