Category Archives: Uncategorized
Tweetable Advice For Preachers and Congregations (#3)
For both – “Once a job is first begun, never finish ’til it’s done; whether the job be great or small, do it well or not at all.”
violence & my Lord: what did Jesus' apostles do?
How did Christ's original apostles (excluding the one who betrayed him, Judas Iscariot) respond when confronted with violence?
As we seek the answer to that question, let's consider most closely Simon Peter and John. Why? Because Peter was the one our Lord chastised and snubbed for displaying and suggesting the use of weapons. Peter was the one who Jesus rebuked for attempting to defend him and who took off a man's ear with an errant swing with a sword.
violence & my Lord: what did Jesus do?
Two thoughts. (1) Violence in our country. It's the topic of the day these days. (2) Jesus Christ. My Lord and Savior, every day.
One question. How did Jesus respond to violence?
Let's find out.
The government ordered his death and sent soldiers to kill him ... so his parents, rather than standing their ground, fled the country with him.
To My Readers – Thanks For A Great 2012!
Just a final post in 2012 to thank you all for reading my sometimes disjointed, sometimes cantankerous, and sometimes even coherent posts. This has been a good year for Instrument Rated Theology, and all of you have had a part.
What I have been particularly happy about is that this blog set a “reads” record in 6 out of the 12 months this year. That shows increasing interest, and I am humbled.
Right now my monthly totals would be a horrific daily total for some blogs – but I can tell from my stats from WordPress that my readers are pretty consistent – and that is another reason I am humbled. That someone would come back to continue to read is high praise.
I hope to increase my quality of articles – and I would especially like to hear from you – if you have a question or if something I have said interests you further.
So, on behalf of me and the fine editorial crew at Instrument Rated Theology, thanks for a great 2012 and I look forward to an even better 2013.
Paul
On Second Thought…
Okay, that was short.
I thought I could hang up the pen. Not even close.
When I finished my last post I was done – fried, melted, and scorched.
But then the thoughts just kept coming – faster and faster and deeper and deeper.
I guess I’m not done yet after all. Maybe in a little while, but come to find out there was a little steam left in the engine.
I may hiss and spit more than make any forward motion, but I guess it will be my hiss and spit.
Welcome back Freightdawg – and you are cleared for take-off.
Writing, But Just Not Here
I appreciate the folks who stop by on a regular basis to see what foggy notion has flown through my mind recently. I have not posted in a few days, but it is not because I am not writing. Actually, I am up to my eye balls in paper, ink and pixels. I am completing a project for my Doctor of Ministry program, and when everything is all said and done I will submit between 85 – 90 pages of writing (about half of it in single spaced book reviews).
So, I’m writing, just not in this space.
When I finally submit this project to my professor I intend to distill some of my observations for posts in this space. So, beginning in October I will probably have at least one article per day – maybe more, who knows.
Until then, I am far more tempted to consume distilled products rather than create them.
Cheers!
The Real Face of Abortion...What Would It Take to Change Your Mind?
I have wrestled with whether or not to post this. Just a warning...this is not for the faint of heart. All I ask is that the comments not get into political wrangling but stick with what is really going on here.
Last week I saw something I hadn't ever seen before. I saw a picture of an aborted baby. It was graphic.
In Transition – Update
Dear readers, it seems like forever since I have had an opportunity to post some new thoughts. I am in the middle of a job transition and it has taken me much, much longer than I anticipated. I hope to be back to my posts again around Aug. 8 or so, so check in with me then. Until then, be sure and keep the shiny side up and the oily side down.
Paul
Is This Progress? (revised)
English: Original Description: Yes, that is a flag. How did it get there? What do we do about it? Two Arena Football League referees. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Perhaps some of you read an earlier post that has now been removed. I have to admit that it was a tad bit, um, how shall I say, “prickly.” I guess I just woke up the wrong way this morning.
What I really wanted to say was that my little girl will never have the chance to experience the things that I considered to be a given part of life when I was her age. Life has moved on. Things have changed so radically in my adult life that I cannot even begin to imagine what will happen in the next 20 – 30 years. I fear for my daughter’s generation and the one that follows that.
We have lost so much. We claim progress, but I really do not see much progress. Most of what I see is just motion, movement.
So, I was writing out of a lot of pain and some fear and not just a little frustration. I hope that I did not push too far.
But, just like the referees in the NFL now use instant replay to make sure they get the call right, I decided that I needed to make sure I had the call right. Upon further review I decided to throw a penalty flag on myself and my post.
Thanks for following along – and I hope that the things I DO end up posting are beneficial to all who stop by.
A Special Request To My Readers
Typebars in a 1920s typewriter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Due to the needs of my family and the needs of the congregation where I now serve as a minister, my family and I will need to relocate as soon as possible, but certainly by the end of this summer. I would like to put out a special request to those of you who read this blog from time to time. If any of you know of a ministry position or a position working with a religious organization, could you please let me know? I would be deeply grateful.
I have much to offer a congregation or an organization, and in turn I would like to have some assurances for me and my family. I have approximately 15 years of ministry experience (from youth ministry to pulpit preaching through hospice chaplaincy) and another 10 years of secular work experience. I hold two Masters degrees and I am very close to completing my Doctor of Ministry degree. My wife and I have been married over 27 years, and we have a precious little girl who just turned 6 years old.
Those are the “cold, hard facts” that fill up so much of a resume. I can offer other “intangibles” that are difficult to quantify but can only come with age and experience. I have the ability to evaluate difficult situations and come up with viable solutions. As a flight instructor I was often assigned to the students who were struggling because I was able to analyze their problems and work with them to successfully pass their flight exams. I believe I have a stabilizing influence and the congregations where I have served have enjoyed peace and growth during my tenures.
My greatest gift, in my opinion, is my love for teaching and preaching the text of the Bible. My education has given me a great respect for scholarship, both old and new, but my emphasis is and always will be the text of Scripture. I love to write and I love to study so that I can understand the Bible and present my lessons in a challenging manner. I am certainly no Billy Graham in the pulpit, but I work hard to learn from my mistakes and I look for ways to improve.
Given the right situation my wife and I would be willing to relocate to just about anywhere in the US. We would prefer the southwest, but we will talk with anyone who is interested in my services.
I mentioned the possibility of an organization outside of a congregation, but that is also focused on kingdom ministries. I have in mind here a school, a hospice, any group or organization that could use a writer, editor, teacher, public speaker, public relations professional, etc. I want to be useful in God’s kingdom, and I want to be open to any position where I can use my gifts and abilities.
I would also consider a new congregation plant or a congregation that is looking for the right minister in order to grow or perhaps to overcome recent division or discord. I cannot promise that I would know all the answers or have the perfect solution. However, it never hurts to visit with a prospective minister, or in my situation, a prospective ministry. Sometimes even the phone call is valuable.
Thank you all for reading this blog, and I look forward to many more entries.
