The thoughts contained in A View From My Window are just a few things I have learned whiletrying to follow Jesus Christ. They are the result of a long journey that began in a little village inNorth Carolina some seventy years ago and continues through this day.
God has a way of taking the shape of the vessel in the person whoreceives God. I rejoice that Godhas found a place in my life, and I in the life of God. By and large, the sermons andmeditations contained herein were first heard by congregations at PeoplesCongregational United Church of Christ in Washington, DC where I served aspastor for nearly forty years, St Albans Congregational Church in Queens, NewYork and the National Cathedral in the Nation’s Capital. They are my views about life and God,the nature and destiny of humankind, human relationships and Jesus Christ, theLord of our faith. There are otherviews about all of these matters, I am sure. But these are my views seen through the lens which has beenground through the often hard experiences of my life. This is the shape God took as God entered this vessel.Although this God may not fit your vessel, your God is none the less real. For those in whose life God has nottaken shape, form or residence, I hope these outpourings from my soul will bebread for your journey. Because Iam still on the road that leads to faith, perhaps I will meet you there. ForGod has a way of making pilgrims into companions and friends. — A. Knighton Stanley
Praise and Reviews
Acclaim
for A View From My Window
For over 40 years, Dr.
Stanley’s preaching has attempted to move a complex, sophisticated community
beyond the ‘kindergarten’ Christianity of its childhood to a powerful, relevant
gospel that reconciles their complex lives while affirming the simple truth
that in spite of all of our shortcomings, we are all God’s beloved children.
This volume illuminates a life and ministry obedient to a worthy call.
Ambassador Andrew Young,
Civil Rights leader/minister/humanitarian
Atlanta, Georgia
One Sunday morning, Dr.
Stanley preached a sermon that so illuminated an aspect of my life’s journey I
wrote one of my strongest musical compositions. On the Sunday after Coretta
Scott King died, through his teaching and preaching, he showed us a woman with
a deep moving spirit and commitment to justice. I was able to cry again as we closed the service singing the
spiritual, “There is a Balm in Gilead.” I have continually found inspiration
and hope in his words. May you also find water in your dry times from this
well.
Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon,
singer/composer/cultural historian
Washington, DC
A View From My Window is a refreshing, unassuming
collection of a preacher’s thoughts and reflections about God and who we are as
God’s children. Tony Stanley has a unique gift of sharing experiences of life
through the lens of God’s love, mercy and faithfulness to all people. While reading
his sermons, one feels as if one is reading over his shoulder as he journals
about his life, ministry and how God’s love overshadows every nuance of what we
do. Stanley has a gift of making the most mundane occurrence appear in
reflection as a great epiphany in him. This book is a must read for every
preacher and especially seminarians.
The Reverend Dr. Susan D. Newman, Author,
Your Inner Eve:
Discovering God’s Woman Within
This volume of sermons by
Dr. A. Knighton Stanley is inspiring and instructive for laity and preachers
alike. His evocative weaving of solid theological scholarship, illustrations
from daily life and his personal faith journey create a tapestry that
compellingly presents the hope and joy of the good news. Taking a view from his
window is to see the fullness of God’s majesty.
The
Reverend Dr. Henry T. Simmons, Senior Minister
St.
Albans Congregational Church
St. Albans, New York
A. Knighton Stanley’s
earlier book, The
Children Is Crying (1979), addresses the American Missionary Association and the
Congregational Church’s blatant disregard for the rich and meaningful culture
already existent among Afro Americans in the South following the Civil War and
suggests that because of their failure to establish culturally relevant
churches throughout the South, “The children, black and white are crying
everyday.” It is entirely
providential, therefore, that this sensitive pastor/scholar/preacher now shares
with us thought provoking sermons that provide words of hope and encouragement
so that we may cease our crying and more faithfully be the Body of Christ.
The
Reverend Dr. Marvin L. Morgan
Moderator,
General Synod 27
United Church of Christ
Dr. Stanley is passionate in
his love for God and his service toward God’s people. I so appreciate his openness and candor about his struggles
as he continues to know and live the ways of God. This collection of sermons offers a glimpse into the life
and soul of a preacher on his journey toward the heart of God.
The
Reverend Natalie V. McLean, Chaplain
Bennett
College for Women
Greensboro, NC
