GregWoodard.com

Blog Ending

2005-06-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

For the most part, posting at this blog has ceased. I may still do a review or two, but busy work and family life demand that I take something out of my life.
Blessings to those of you who have read my posts. Check back periodically to see if there is anything new.

Greg

Stop the Masochistic Insanity - The violent response to the report of "Quranic abuse" isn't about faith, it's about intolerance. By Christopher Hitche

2005-05-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Stop the Masochistic Insanity - The violent response to the report of "Quranic abuse" isn't about faith, it's about intolerance. By Christopher Hitchens: "Some of us can be offended at insults to our culture, and we, too, possess unalterable convictions and principles. Many people take the same view of the desecration of Old Glory. But we would never dream of venting ourselves in random assaults on mosques or Muslims, and if anyone on our soil did dare to commit such atrocities, I hope and believe that they would not receive moist and sympathetic treatment in the pages of the American press."

Victor Davis Hanson on Anti-Americanism on National Review Online

2005-05-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

A very good article on the rise of anti-Americanism as evidenced by the description of America as the middle finger of the global hand.
Victor Davis Hanson on Anti-Americanism on National Review Online

Welcome Langa Visitors

2005-05-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to all Langa Letter visitors. Nothing much is happening here right now since I started a new job recently and have been very busy with that. Please do check back in the future and see what changes have been made!

National Review Online - VDH - On Being Disliked

2005-04-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

Victor Davis Hansen on America being disliked and why we shouldn't worry about it:
National Review Online (http://www.nationalreview.com): "America should not gratuitously welcome such dislike; but we should not apologize for it either. Sometimes the caliber of a nation is found not in why it is liked, but rather in why it is not. By January 1, 1941, I suppose a majority on the planet — the Soviet Union, all of Eastern Europe, France, Italy, Spain, and even many elsewhere in occupied Europe, most of Latin America, Japan and its Asian empire, the entire Arab world, many in India — would have professed a marked preference for Hitler's Germany over Churchill's England.

Think about it. When Europe orders all American troops out; when Japan claims our textbooks whitewash the Japanese forced internment or Hiroshima; when China cites unfair trade with the United States; when South Korea says get the hell off our DMZ; when India complains that we are dumping outsourced jobs on them; when Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinians refuse cash aid; when Canada complains that we are not carrying our weight in collective North American defense; when the United Nations moves to Damascus; when the Arab Street seethes that we are pushing theocrats and autocrats down its throat; when Mexico builds a fence to keep us out; when Latin America proclaims a boycott of the culturally imperialistic Major Leagues; and when the world ignores American books, films, and popular culture, then perhaps we should be worried. But something tells me none of that is going to happen in this lifetime."

FOXNews.com - Soldiers Cleared in Italian Agent's Death

2005-04-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

This is very good news:
FOXNews.com - Soldiers Cleared in Italian Agent's Death

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - A&E: Zell Miller's book praises, slams Dems

2005-04-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

Very interesting take on Hillary's chances in the '08 presidential swwepstakes by retired senator, Zell Miller. Recall that Miller, a Democrat was the hero of the 2004 Republican convention.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - A&E: Zell Miller's book praises, slams Dems

VDH's Private Papers :: Winning the War

2005-04-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

As Little Green Footballs says, another Friday, another incisive article from Victor Davis Hanson:
VDH's Private Papers :: Winning the War

www.AndrewSullivan.com & Andrew Sullivan is an A...

2005-04-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Check this out for a bit of vitriol about the selection of Joseph Ratzinger as the next pope (Pope Benedict XVI).
www.AndrewSullivan.com - Daily Dish - Still in Shock

and this from Professor Bainbridge in response:
Andrew Sullivan is an A...

Thou Shalt Not Be Negative - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-04-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

I have not read the book Your Best Life Now, but Douglas LeBlanc has and he provides a pretty sharp critique (I am quite certain that he is right on target):
Thou Shalt Not Be Negative - Christianity Today Magazine

Captain's Quarters - Sgrena Story Still Falling Apart

2005-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

A very important post about the Italian journalist whose escape convoy came under fire by American troops. Below are some essentail comments from Captain Ed's post:
"She claimed that the car slowed down for the checkpoint to somewhere around 30 MPH or so, which would equal around 44 feet per second. If the Americans flashed their warning lights at 390 feet, the driver had almost three seconds to recognize and heed the signal before the soldiers fired their warning shots. After the warning shots, the driver had another two seconds to stop the car before the soldiers applied lethal force. Overall, the driver had almost six full seconds to stop the car from the time of the first warning signal to when they fired directly into the vehicle. That sounds like plenty of time, especially for a driver who knew that he was using a highway that American troops regularly patrolled and one which led directly to the strategic Baghdad International Airport."

HughHewitt.com - The Tipping (Away) Point

2005-04-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

A very good post by Hugh Hewitt on the new media and regarding the continued confirmation battle underway in the U.S. Senate. This is an important issue that Hugh is doing his best to bring attention to, both on his blog and on the radio (I linked Hugh's local affiliate where you can listen to a live broadcast stream.)
HughHewitt.com

lgf: Sly Bush=Hitler Reference at SF Chronicle

2005-04-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ran across this at Little Green Footballs:
lgf: Sly Bush=Hitler Reference at SF Chronicle

ChristianityToday.com - Theologian Stan Grenz Dies

2005-04-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

Any of you who have studied theology have probably encountered Stan Grenz's work. And if you are interested in the intersection of historical Evangelical Christian theology with postmodern thought, you are undoubtedly familiar with Stan Grenz. I did a master's thesis on his thought and did not agree with many of his proposals. I did find his writing on theology to be fresh and elegent. I appreciated his work so much that I was known to assign reading from his systematic theology and other books to my college theology courses. They say that scholars the age of Stan Grenz are often times at the height of their scholarly careers. The death of Dr. Grenz is a tragedy for his family and for the larger Christian world. I was always anxious to see what was next. Below is a link to an article from Christianity Today:
ChristianityToday.com

CBS Master's Golf Coverage

2005-04-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

I am not a golf fan, but like other major sports, I tune in to the last few minutes of championship games or matches. Chris DiMarco lost a sudden death playoff to Tiger Woods. After Tiger won, CBS did an interview with Mr. DiMarco who was holding his one year old daughter. In his Mullings email from Friday April 7, Rich Galen had this observation:

Memo to CBS: You should instruct your hard-edged golf interviewers that if the second-place golfer is holding a one-year-old baby in his arms and the one-year-old baby is grabbing for the microphone the hard-edged interviewer shouldn't look irritated - HE didn't just lose the Masters - he should, instead, ask the one-year-old how proud she (or he) is of her (or his) daddy.

I quite agree!

On Not Mourning the Pope - Thoughts over the grave of John Paul II. By Christopher Hitchens

2005-04-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

Quite an article from Christopher Hitchens who reflects on how the non-religious view this morning over the pope's passing. I have quoted the last paragraph of the article. Click the link for the full article.
On Not Mourning the Pope - Thoughts over the grave of John Paul II. By Christopher Hitchens: "Unbelievers are more merciful and understanding than believers, as well as more rational. We do not believe that the pope will face judgment or eternal punishment for the millions who will die needlessly from AIDS, or for his excusing and sheltering of those who committed the unpardonable sin of raping and torturing children, or for the countless people whose sex lives have been ruined by guilt and shame and who are taught to respect the body only when it is a lifeless cadaver like that of Terri Schiavo. For us, this day is only the interment of an elderly and querulous celibate, who came too late and who stayed too long, and whose primitive ideology did not permit him the true self-criticism that could have saved him, and others less innocent, from so many errors and crimes."

Free Books for Bloggers

2005-04-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have just joined as an Exclusive Reviewer for Mind & Media (see the ad on the right). They provide books for any blogger who will blog about them. They have titles from Crossway Books, Baker Books, Advantage Books and other major Christian publishers. Check out their blog at Blog for Books.com and join me as an Exclusive Reviewer.

Thinking Straighter - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-04-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Interesting thoughts on the changing ideas of Anthony Flew - once a leading athiest:
Thinking Straighter - Christianity Today Magazine

ThisisLondon - Royal wedding a 'shambles'

2005-04-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Oh the problems of royalty!
ThisisLondon

Discovering God - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-04-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

Good, uplifting quotes here:
Discovering God - Christianity Today Magazine

The Trinity: The Father: Reading Two

2005-04-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Trinity: A Journal
The Father: Reading 2

Scripture
Who is like you, O Lord? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11).

Meditation
The preceding phrase asks the same questions twice, "Who is like you, O Lord? Who is like You..." and then follows with these three phrases:

majestic in holiness
awesome in praises
working wonders

Indeed, who is like the Lord? There is none that equal the lord in holiness, none worthy of our praises and none that work the wonders that He does. God is the great "I am." Remember when Moses asked God to identify Himself so that he knew how to present him when he spoke to Pharoah? God said to Moses, say that "I am" sent you. This simple phrase "I am" speaks volumes as to who God is. God offers no other description, he simply says "Say 'I am' sent you." There is power in the simplicity of these words. In our passage, the author writes asking who is like you, O Lord - majestic in holiness (the idea that God is supremely holy); awesome in praises (is the idea here that of God being the most worthy of our praises); and the final phrase is that of working wonders. At this point in Exodus, God had already worked many wonders in showing his power to both the Israelites and the Egyptians.

Prayer
Father God, the past several weeks have been difficult. I have struggled with trusting you. I have felt a distance from you as I struggle with questions of why I am unemployed. Questions of what direction to turn. Questions ofuncertainty. Questions of why the process seems to be taking so long. Questions of why there have been so many closed doors. And then I read a verse where your holiness, worthiness of praise and power to work wonders is extolled. I call out to you as the powerful God, the God who is worthy of our praise and who is powerful enough to change our circumstances. I seek to renew my trust in you. And I know that my trust cannot be contingent upon what you do for me now. You have shown yourself to be powerful and you have done what you have said you will do. As a human being, my faith in future graces depends at least in part upon what you have done in the past. You have shown yourself capable of meeting our needs and there should be no doubt that you will meet our needs in the future. Father God, help me with my lack of faith and trust. Forgive me for not trusting in your power. Help me to believe that you will show yourself strong again and that there is a future of fruitful service ahead for me.

Contemplation
I am taken by the strength of three phrases:

majestic in holiness
awesome in praises
working wonders

I don't need to add much to what I have said above. These phrases remind me that God is in control and is worthy of our trust.

Living by Google Rules - Newsweek Business - MSNBC.com

2005-04-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

I am posting this link only because I find this sort of article fascinating:
Living by Google Rules - Newsweek Business - MSNBC.com

Yahoo! News - Supremacist Hale Sentenced to 40 Years

2005-04-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Glad to see that Matthew Hale is going to the big house for a looong time!
Yahoo! News - Supremacist Hale Sentenced to 40 Years

Not Posting

2005-04-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Sorry for not having posted in a while. I have been between jobs and the search has really drained me. I am feeling like this time of unemployment is soon to be over and my spirit is picking up. I will try to get back to some regular posts in the next few days.

The Trinity: The Father: Reading One

2005-03-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

The Trinity: A Journal
The Father: Reading 2

Exodus 3:15 "You are the Lord, the God of our fathers - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. This is Your name forever, the name by which your are to be remembered from generation to generation."

Meditation
God, I thank you that you are the Lord, that you are the Lord! Your name stands forever, from generation to generation your name, Lord stands! I thank you that your powerful name stands the test of time and that it remains unchangingly powerful.

Prayer
It has been hard to see your power through the fog of my doubt in recent weeks. And yet, my own doubt does not change your power. Your name, O Lord is forever and is remembered from generaction to generation. I proclaim your name and internalize the power that is in that name for my own. I am a child of yours. Will I believe that your power can change our circumstances? Current circumstances must not be enough to make me continue in my doubt. The question before me is "Will I trust in the Lord's power with with my whole heart even in the face of these trying circumstances?" I believe that this is what God is calling me to. Not easy, but necessary.

Contemplation
The idea of the Lord's name being forever and remembered from generation to generation captured my spirit as I contemplated these verses.

NewsMax.com: Inside Cover Story

2005-03-18T19:02:00.000-08:00

Is this the price of fame?
NewsMax.com: Inside Cover Story: "A painter working at David Letterman's Montana ranch was charged Thursday with plotting to kidnap the talk show host's toddler son and nanny and hold them for $5 million ransom."

BreakPoint | “I Met This Lady Today”

2005-03-18T18:58:00.000-08:00

Check out today's Breakpoint, it is about Ashley Smith, the brave Christian woman who stopped the Brian Nichols rampage:BreakPoint | “I Met This Lady Today”:
"Americans are spellbound by the saga of Ashley Smith, the Atlanta woman held hostage by murder suspect Brian Nichols. Reporters covering the story are mystified over how anyone at the mercy of an escaped inmate—one who that very day killed another woman and three men—could remain so calm.

The answer is that Smith had learned to trust God. During her ordeal, Smith—the widow of a murder victim who suffered much in her life—was able to enter into the suffering of her captor. She calmed him, and told him God just might have had a purpose in sending Nichols to her apartment. She even served him, making pancakes.

In nearly 30 years of prison ministry, I’ve met many Ashley Smiths all over the country. What they have in common is the belief that faith in God can triumph over fear. One of the most memorable stories is that of a young Texas woman whose story has dramatic parallels to Ashley Smith’s. Twenty-three years ago, Margaret Mayfield was shopping in San Antonio when a gun-wielding man suddenly confronted her. “I’m the man who killed the woman at the restaurant last night,” he announced, “and I’m going to kill you if you make one move.”

Mayfield had just been abducted by mass murderer Stephan Peter Morin. Terrified, she began praying aloud. Instead of ordering her to drive away, Morin began to sob and talk about his unhappy childhood.

Mayfield told Morin, “It’s not coincidence you’re here. God brought you to this car. Even though you have committed some horrible things, God still loves you.”

Morin then forced Mayfield to start driving and as she drove, Mayfield continued telling Morin about the love of Christ and playing evangelistic tapes. Morin suddenly had her pull off the road and he began to pray. “Jesus, I am sorry for everything I have ever done. Please save me.” Morin then picked up his pistol, took out the bullets, and put them in Mayfield’s hands.

Morin decided to go to Fort Worth to see evangelist Kenneth Copeland, whose tapes Mayfield had played. Eight hours after her abduction, Mayfield watched as Morin boarded a bus and waved goodbye. When police picked him up hours later, Morin surrendered quietly. “This morning I would have got up and shot the gun,” he told the officers. “But I met this lady today and now I’m different.”

Years later, after he’d been ministered to by Prison Fellowship in prison, he was taken to be executed for his crimes. His last words: “Lord Jesus, I commit my soul to you, I praise you, and I thank you.”

The stories of Margaret Mayfield and Ashley Smith and many like them are tales of the triumph of faith over fear. They illustrate the truth of the message John Paul II has preached so consistently for nearly three decades: “Fear not.” Ashley Smith and Margaret Mayfield overcame fear with faith, and overwhelmed evil with good.

There’s a wonderful lesson in this—particularly at this season of the year, an encouragement to all of us. If we trust the promises of God, we need not be held hostage by the most dangerous hostage taker of all: fear. We can discover what we Christians will celebrate on Easter Sunday: The great joy and power of faith, no matter the circumstances. And we give a watching world hope."

lgf: VDH: Little Eichmanns and Digital Brownshirts

2005-03-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

LGF links to this VDH article: Little Eichmanns and Digital Brownshirts

Suburbs a world away from war / Clayton minister says violence in Iraq fails to stir passions

2005-03-18T18:22:00.000-08:00

Hat tip to OpinionJournal.com:
Suburbs a world away from war / Clayton minister says violence in Iraq fails to stir passions: "There isn't much to hear about. The antiwar movement's failure to take root in the suburbs is one reason the movement is struggling to redefine itself and gain political power 2 1/2 years after hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to city streets in the run-up to the U.S. invasion."

GetReligion: March 18, 2005

2005-03-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

There has been lot's written about the Terry Shaivo case. Here is one link:
GetReligion: March 18, 2005

Power Line: The Green Side

2005-03-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Hat tip to the Powerline guys for this post:

Col. Bellon Reports From Falluja

Lt. Col. Dave Bellon periodically emails his father with news from Iraq; Col. Bellon's emails are posted on The Green Side. Yesterday, Bellon emailed his father from Falluja. Some excerpts:

"As recently as October, we sat outside the city in day long battles. Over the inevitable din, you could hear cries for jihad and resistance resonating through the loudspeakers of the city's 60+ mosques. Certainly from the Marine point of view, the mosques were thought of as facilitators of the terrorists and a key ingredient in stoking the spiral of violence that consumed the city for much of the past thirteen months and beyond. Today we sat with some of the same men who controlled the speakers and discussed ways to get ambulances into the city faster and enhancing understanding among the variety of cultures that now make up the daily life in the city.

"As I have said before, Fallujah is now thought of as a 'safe zone' by the citizens. The atmosphere of fear and intimidation is now lifted. People move about during the day without fear. The curfew remains at night and frankly, that is just fine with the people. Iraqis outside the city talk of how safe they feel when they come to Fallujah. Talk about a truly incredible turnaround.

"While the men have been working inside the city, other Marines have been relentlessly chasing and attriting the enemy outside the city. We have had more success capturing high value targets in the last week than perhaps during any other during my 22 months here. Once again, the Marines continue to exceed expectation. Instead of coasting in and playing it safe, they are pouring on the coal and finishing strong. The result has been a number of indicators of insurgent leadership seeking to open a dialogue with the Iraqi Government. Again, not to put too rosy a picture on it but it really is encouraging to the guys who have been here grinding away. The bad news for the enemy is that fresh legs are here and it is about to get worse for them. Steady progress seems to be occurring on all fronts."

FOXSports.com - Home

2005-03-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

If you have the bandwidth, check out the Schilling video (title of video clip below). He is well spoken and make great comments at the steroid hearings.
FOXSports.com: "Schilling speaks out"

Marvin Olasky: Curt Schilling, pitcher and Christian

2005-03-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

Cool story about Curt Schilling's living out his Christian faith:
Marvin Olasky: Curt Schilling, pitcher and Christian

Yahoo! News - Scott Peterson Transferred to San Quentin

2005-03-17T06:26:00.000-08:00

A moments decision results in a life that for all intents and purposes has already ended.
It is not difficult to understand the rage that Laci's parents feel. There are several statements from them in the linked story that show the depth of their anger.
One question I have for readers is how does one forgive in this sort of circumstance. I am the father of a daughter and I cannot begin to imagine the rage, anger and grief I would experience in this sort of circumstance.
Yahoo! News - Scott Peterson Transferred to San Quentin

Reflections on "Dad" Verses

2005-03-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

Below are some reflections on a set of verses that my father sent me that were meaningful to him after he was downsized out of a job of 40+ years:

Reflections from “Dad” Verses
Jeremiah 29:11-13: God’s plans for me are for my good, to give me a future and a hope. They are not intended for my disaster. Jeremiah also says that if I pray, God will listen. If I earnestly look for God, I will find him (v. 14 reiterates this idea of God being found by us).

Isaiah 43:18-19: In these verses, God is speaking to his people, Israel, reminding them of his great work in defeating the Egyptians during the Israelites exodus from slavery in Egypt. And then he says to them, “…forget all that! I am about to do a brand new thing.” And to me, God is saying, “Forget about that! Forget about being wronged, forget about the mistakes! Forget about not trusting me before. Trust me now! What has happened before is in the past. Today is a new day! The future is bright if you will trust me. I will make a pathway through the wilderness. Remember the vision that Al had? He said to me, “I see a picture of smoke. It makes it hard to see. All you have to do is blow and things will be clear.” One other note from this text: “See I have already begun!”

Proverbs 3:5-6: Solomon here reminds his readers that we are to trust in the Lord with all out hearts. We are not to depend on our own understanding. These verses speak such truth to me. I truly do not understand my current circumstances and I am not sure I ever will. Trust does not depend on understanding. I am to trust God with the outcome. Though I do not understand the reasons why, I trust that God does. I do not need him to explain things to me. Elsewhere the Bible says that his ways are beyond my understanding anyway, so why worry about it? Verse 5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” I am guessing that “heart” here represents the center of being. Perhaps we can say “from the center of my being, I trust you.” In other words, trusting God forms the foundation of my being and is the foundation upon which everything in my life is built.

Philippians 3:12-14; 4:13; 19: Along with Paul, I want to forget what has past and look forward to what lies ahead. I do believe that my best days, and the best days of my family, are ahead. “I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” I believe I am just starting the race and I look forward to finishing what God has before me. The verses in chapter 4 speak to God’s enabling strength and his supply of provision. Strength for the race and supply of all our needs from his glorious riches.

Pacem in Terris

2005-03-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Recently, I spent a weekend away at Pacem in Terris. Below are some reflections I wrote during that weekend. I hope that my posting some of my reflections here will be an encouragement to anyone who happens upon my blog.

Friday, March 4
"As I write these words, I am sitting alone in a hermitage at Pacem in Terris. I have come here to be alone with God. What am I here seeking? I have to say that I am not totally sure. I simply knew that I felt called to this place during this time of change in my life. I have left a place and am seeking God’s best for the next chapter of my life.
I told Vicki earlier that I was nervous about this retreat. “Why are you nervous?” she asked. Among other things I said that I had some high expectations. I want to encounter the living God again in a way that I haven’t recently. I have also said that I want to get re-centered again. I feel this need for re-centering after a few months of sliding away from my call. I tried to reinvent myself to be what someone else needed me to be. I was not faithful to the call God has on my life for the sake of keeping a job.
That last statement sounded selfish. At some level, I have to be willing to settle for a job that will pay the bills and feed my family, right? My own fulfillment is secondary right? I have to say that I have become less & less inclined to believe that. I believe, fervently that part of God’s best for me is to be doing work that He has called me to. That I am to be doing work that I am passionate about and that helps to give my life meaning. Not work that kills my soul and drains my spirit.
Throughout my time away, I will be recording my thoughts in this book and I will be listening, trusting that the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s love for me and will reassure me that He has my best future planned for me. As a bonus, perhaps the Holy Spirit will whisper to me a glimpse of what our next steps will be and the way that God is going to meet the needs of our family. This Lord, is my prayer."

Os Guinness Looks Evil in the Eye - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-03-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Os Guinness Looks Evil in the Eye - Christianity Today Magazine: "The author of Unspeakable: Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror talks about 'life's greatest dilemma.'"

Victor Davis Hanson on National Review Online

2005-03-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder to read this!
Victor Davis Hanson on National Review Online

WorldNetDaily: Mainline churches bash Bush budget

2005-03-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

Then the Bush budget must be right on target!
WorldNetDaily: Mainline churches bash Bush budget

My Way News - Cronkite Praises Rather's Retirement

2005-03-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

Uh, yeah!
Rather Retirement

Closed Doors

2005-03-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

Hi to anyone reading this. Recently I have been in a process of seeking God's direction for myself and our family. I recently felt led by God (and I must say circumstances) to leave a position in a local church. It was not easy to step out without certainty as to what is next in my life. I truly did feel that God was leading me out of that position and into what I thought would be another ministry setting.
Well, now it seems to me that the door for me to continue in church ministry is closed. There are still a couple of resumes out, but my recent experience leads me to believe that God has said no to further church ministry for me. This is not an easy day. I love the church and so hoped that as we took a step of faith to leave one role, God would lead us to a place where I could flourish and grow in ministry and in walking with people in their process toward becoming all that God would have them be. It does not appear that this will be in the church for me. Though I do know that God's kingdom is larger than just the local church.
I do believe that God is walking beside us in this process, though right now it is difficult to see what he is doing. We ask for your prayers as we continue seeking what God has for us.

Spirituality for All the Wrong Reasons - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-03-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

Spirituality for All the Wrong Reasons - Christianity Today Magazine: Eugene Peters says this among other things in this interesting interview with CT: "I think the besetting sin of pastors, maybe especially evangelical pastors, is impatience. We have a goal. We have a mission. We're going to save the world. We're going to evangelize everybody, and we're going to do all this good stuff and fill our churches. This is wonderful. All the goals are right. But this is slow, slow work, this soul work, this bringing people into a life of obedience and love and joy before God."

Hat tip the the CT Weekly newsletter for pointing me to this particular quote.

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - BTK Suspect 'Relieved' by Pastor Visit

2005-03-03T12:45:00.000-08:00

As a person who has served as a pastor in a local church, I cannot imagine the pain that this sort of arrest would cause in a local church. And this was not just another attender, this guy was the president of the church council (the board comprised of lay people who govern the church). His pastor said: "'We are not going to cut him off. I could tell that he was relieved,' Clark told The Associated Press. 'He is still a part of the body of Christ — and that is something some people will have a hard time hearing.'" This is a commendable statement. I truly believe that even someone who is apparently as evil and Mr. Rader is not beyond God grace. Here is the story:
FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - BTK Suspect 'Relieved' by Pastor Visit

I can only imagine the pain that this congregation is going through. Stories are out about the heinous nature of this man's alleged crimes. The question that this arrest raises in my mind is how someone could rise to a level of such prominence and social acceptability while hiding the brutal killings of at least 10 people (and who know how many more there are). I know I would at minimum feel betrayed and frightened at my lack of discernment if someone like this were uncovered in the midst of a church I was leading.

World Tribune.com -- Crisis for the Godless: Atheism in decline worldwide

2005-03-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

Is this a surprise?
World Tribune.com -- Crisis for the Godless: Atheism in decline worldwide

I hope to comment on this article, which seems to be a followup to an article written by Alister McGrath in ChristianityToday.com, at a future date. In the meantime, here is a good response to the McGrath article by Tim Theule: life together: The Ideal Church & The Death of Athiesm.

Power Line: March 2005 Archives

2005-03-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

I have to say that this picture of the SecState and a Few Good Men is a pretty cool picture!

Jonah Goldberg on Blogs on National Review Online

2005-03-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

Good article on blogging by Jonah Goldberg from National Review:
Jonah Goldberg on Blogs on National Review Online

Captain's Quarters

2005-03-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

Good post on the revolutionary changes in Southwest Asia:
Captain's Quarters

Telegraph | News | Powell criticises Iraq troop levels and rift with Europe

2005-02-25T19:55:00.000-08:00

So we find out that Powell is no neo-con:
Telegraph | News | Powell criticises Iraq troop levels and rift with Europe

ChristianityToday.com - The Theology of Plan B

2005-02-25T19:41:00.000-08:00

Another one that I am going to read later. I am guessing that this one will speak to my current situation of seeking a new place of ministry!
The Theology of Plan B

Weblog: $10 Osteen Tickets Going for $100+ - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-02-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

What make this guy such a superstar?
Weblog: $10 Osteen Tickets Going for $100+ - Christianity Today Magazine

National Review Online (http://www.nationalreview.com)

2005-02-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

I'll read it later.
NRO - VDH: Merchants of Despair (http://www.nationalreview.com)

washingtonpost.com: Condoleezza Rice's Commanding Clothes

2005-02-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

The power of Condi:
washingtonpost.com: Condoleezza Rice's Commanding Clothes

Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) - The Silence of Christmas & the Scream of the Tsunami

2005-02-24T18:51:00.000-08:00

The Silence of Christmas & the Scream of the Tsunami:
Hat tip to DavidLimbaugh.com.

In Fallujah's wake, marines go west | csmonitor.com

2005-02-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

Godspeed Marines!
In Fallujah's wake, marines go west | csmonitor.com

FOXSports.com - NFL- Report: Vikings agree to trade Moss to Raiders

2005-02-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

As a Minnesota Vikings fan, I will miss the shere excitement that Moss brough when we went for long yardage, but will not miss all of the baggage that seemed to reappear last season.
FOXSports.com - NFL- Report: Vikings agree to trade Moss to Raiders

LongmontFYI - College head resists firing prof

2005-02-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

There has got to be a way to get people such as Mr. Churchill out of their tenured positions. The things this guy has said a mind blowing!
LongmontFYI - College head resists firing prof

WorldNetDaily: Wead now regrets Bush tapes

2005-02-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

This is important news:
WorldNetDaily: Wead now regrets Bush tapes
Hat tip to Hugh Hewitt.

WorldNetDaily: CBS veteran rips network

2005-02-24T13:46:00.000-08:00

An interesting take from a CBS news insider:
WorldNetDaily: CBS veteran rips network

The Green Side

2005-02-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

If you have not yet seen this site, you really should check it out. The posts are emails from a Marine Lt. Colonel serving in Iraq. These missives from the front lines of the battle for libery in Iraq are worth reading.
The Green Side

The Colossus of Care - Christianity Today Magazine

2005-02-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

What an incredible organization. I have always been impressed with World Vision. We enjoy sponsoring a child through this fine organization.
The Colossus of Care - Christianity Today Magazine

The World Vision story is not complete without knowing something about the Imperfect Instrument who was its founding leader.

GetReligion: February 24, 2005

2005-02-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

I just like the picture at this post:
GetReligion: February 24, 2005

the evangelical outpost: Outtakes02.24.05

2005-02-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

I am concerned about the goings on at Baylor. I have a firm belief that it is vital for evangelical Christianity to keep the life of the mind as a vital enterprise. Check out the first paragragh (ok now the second paragraph) at this link:
the evangelical outpost: Outtakes
02.24.05

HughHewitt.com

2005-02-22T14:26:00.000-08:00

Nothing in particular here, but how does Hugh write so much. I mean the guy is a tenured professor of constitutional law, a radio host, writer of books, travels quite a bit. I just don't understand!

HughHewitt.com

Yahoo! News - Iran Quake Death Toll Rises Beyond 400

2005-02-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

What a tragedy when this happens. Join me in praying for the people of Sarbagh, Iran.

Yahoo! News - Iran Quake Death Toll Rises Beyond 400

Matthew 22: 34-40

2005-02-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

Anticipating my next step in ministry, I am beginning to pull some thoughts together about discipleship. Below are the opening thoughts of a sermon / teaching that I am working on. I will post more as I continue to develop my ideas.

Matthew 22:34-40 (NLT) 34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they thought up a fresh question of their own to ask him. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

As I reflect on the Christian life, it seems to me that the gospel may be boiled down to these three verses. Verse 37 reflects the highest priority of God’s creation, that is, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” In verse 39, the author writes that a second command is equally important, that of loving your neighbor as yourself.
What would it mean if we lived out these verses? What would it mean if we truly loved God with all our heart, soul and mind and if we truly loved our neighbor as ourselves? Andrew Murray wrote that “My relationship with God is part of my relationship with men [and women]. Failure in one will cause failure with the other.” I want us to take a few minutes to unpack these verses and see what God has to say to us as we think together about what it means to be one of Christ’s disciples.

Yahoo! News - Defrocked Priest Sentenced for Raping Boy

2005-02-15T11:15:00.000-08:00

12-15 years is not enough for a crime such as this. The story mentions that this is an "egregious misuse of trust and authority." I personally cannot think of many things that are worse in this regard than abuse by one's priest. Here is the story:
Yahoo! News - Defrocked Priest Sentenced for Raping Boy

Yahoo! News - DEATH FOR THE POPE

2005-02-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

I just thought this was an interesting take on the Pope's recent emergency health crisis"
Yahoo! News - DEATH FOR THE POPE

Question for Contemplation

2005-02-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

The Lenten season is upon us. I have decided to use these 40 days before Easter to think deeply about the cross of Christ. One question for contemplation: Why did Christ die?

GetReligion: The Shanley debate

2005-02-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

I have a hard time believing that a priest could do the sort of thing that Shanley is guilty of doing.
GetReligion: The Shanley debate

New Blog

2005-02-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

Recently I have not felt like doing much writing. Perhaps I still don't. However, I think the discipline of writing is important to my growth and so I will be posting here on a semi-regular basis. What will I write about? I am not totally sure, but here are some potential areas:

My Christian faith
Current events
The intersection of Christianity and culture
Apologetics
Thoughts on books I am reading

And other stuff. I will probably post on words of wisdom from my children and the challenges that life thows my way.

Who am I? I am husband to Vicki and a father to Liahna who is 5 and David who is 2. I have a masters degree in the area of philosophy of religion from Bethel Seminary and am currently working on some additional courses to prepare for a Doctor of Ministry. Until February 28, I am employed at a large local church. Recently I have felt God calling me to step out in faith and trust him for a position in a local church that better suits my gifts and passions. I desire to work in the areas of discipleship, equipping, connecting, ministry development. My passion is to see people equipped to do ministry in the areas of their gifts. I also enjoy small group ministry and believe that small groups offer a place that is uniquely suited to community and spiritual growth.

I hope you will check back often as I continue posting and reflecting on life.