Syndicate mB
I Feel Old . . .
Posted at: Musings From the First Year Out | Syndicated: August 31st, 2006 @ 1:12 pm
Where Have All The Protestors Gone?
Posted at: Future Bard | Syndicated: August 31st, 2006 @ 12:14 pm
It was almost painful the other night to hear Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young sing about a war whose purpose Americans never really understood, started by a president who didn’t tell the truth and then waged the war ineptly. And that was before they sang about Iraq.Andrew Rosenthal of the NY Times offers the most incisive and cogent analysis of the current (lack of an) anti-war movement in his
Mustering the Energy to Continue
Posted at: ABC Views from the Middle | Syndicated: August 30th, 2006 @ 10:32 pm
Dwight, obviously I’ve been quiet for some time. I have been keeping my head down, doing the work of ministry in the place where I work. I realize I have a role in the larger denominational family but it was nice for a bit to “stay apart.†We are now approaching Labor Day the traditional kick-off for the fall season and I’m trying to muster the energy to once again engage.
You made reference to my dislike for the term “irreconcilable differences.†Yeah, it’s been pretty evident in meetings we’ve both attended that I tend to “go off†when the term is used. I apologize for the intensity of my response. My contention has been “How can Christians have irreconcilable differences?†Couldn’t Jesus fix our differences – if we gave him a chance? Of course, I know that there are many areas in which people have nearly irreconcilable differences. My problem is that we use the term too soon. What I’m curious about right now is – does having irreconcilable differences mean we can’t work together? The answer is “No.†Baptists have always worked across lines of serious differences.
The problem is that the current climate in our society encourages all or nothing. You’re either red or blue or black or white and somehow that defines your position on a whole assortment of issues. Political advertising is filling the airwaves in my town these days and it’s disgusting. Vigorous debate is fine. Broadcast assault by half-truths is not. I’ve got a hunch that in the current climate we’d be divided as a denominational family no matter what the provoking issue. If our division is being driven by societal divisions, I may have to rethink my resistance to “irreconcilable differences.†But, at this moment, I still think Christians can rise above.
The General Executive Council will meet in late September to address the structure of the ABC-USA. It’s something that needs to be done. Whether it will help with our larger issues remains to be seen. I appreciate Roy Medley's efforts to get us through this. In this process, as in so many others, it seems we get caught between efficiency and principle. I can quickly come up with a clear, concise structure for the ABC – the only problem is it won’t be Baptist. We also can’t seem to figure out how to hold on to our history and how to move forward from it. When is our history a strong foundation and when is it holding us back from engaging a new day? Analyzing any possible proposals is inappropriate at this time. The members of the GEC will do that and, I hope, the process will lead us to ideas we have not yet conceived. We will talk more in the blog about this process after the meeting when we can discuss the possibilities for the future.
Rather amazingly, I still think we’ll use the minds God gave us and find a positive way to move forward as an ABC family.
You made reference to my dislike for the term “irreconcilable differences.†Yeah, it’s been pretty evident in meetings we’ve both attended that I tend to “go off†when the term is used. I apologize for the intensity of my response. My contention has been “How can Christians have irreconcilable differences?†Couldn’t Jesus fix our differences – if we gave him a chance? Of course, I know that there are many areas in which people have nearly irreconcilable differences. My problem is that we use the term too soon. What I’m curious about right now is – does having irreconcilable differences mean we can’t work together? The answer is “No.†Baptists have always worked across lines of serious differences.
The problem is that the current climate in our society encourages all or nothing. You’re either red or blue or black or white and somehow that defines your position on a whole assortment of issues. Political advertising is filling the airwaves in my town these days and it’s disgusting. Vigorous debate is fine. Broadcast assault by half-truths is not. I’ve got a hunch that in the current climate we’d be divided as a denominational family no matter what the provoking issue. If our division is being driven by societal divisions, I may have to rethink my resistance to “irreconcilable differences.†But, at this moment, I still think Christians can rise above.
The General Executive Council will meet in late September to address the structure of the ABC-USA. It’s something that needs to be done. Whether it will help with our larger issues remains to be seen. I appreciate Roy Medley's efforts to get us through this. In this process, as in so many others, it seems we get caught between efficiency and principle. I can quickly come up with a clear, concise structure for the ABC – the only problem is it won’t be Baptist. We also can’t seem to figure out how to hold on to our history and how to move forward from it. When is our history a strong foundation and when is it holding us back from engaging a new day? Analyzing any possible proposals is inappropriate at this time. The members of the GEC will do that and, I hope, the process will lead us to ideas we have not yet conceived. We will talk more in the blog about this process after the meeting when we can discuss the possibilities for the future.
Rather amazingly, I still think we’ll use the minds God gave us and find a positive way to move forward as an ABC family.
Mustering the Energy to Continue
Posted at: ABC Views from the Middle | Syndicated: August 30th, 2006 @ 10:32 pm
Dwight, obviously I’ve been quiet for some time. I have been keeping my head down, doing the work of ministry in the place where I work. I realize I have a role in the larger denominational family but it was nice for a bit to “stay apart.” We are now approaching Labor Day the traditional kick-off for the fall season and I’m trying to muster the energy to once again engage.
You made reference to my dislike for the term “irreconcilable differences.” Yeah, it’s been pretty evident in meetings we’ve both attended that I tend to “go off” when the term is used. I apologize for the intensity of my response. My contention has been “How can Christians have irreconcilable differences?” Couldn’t Jesus fix our differences – if we gave him a chance? Of course, I know that there are many areas in which people have nearly irreconcilable differences. My problem is that we use the term too soon. What I’m curious about right now is – does having irreconcilable differences mean we can’t work together? The answer is “No.” Baptists have always worked across lines of serious differences.
The problem is that the current climate in our society encourages all or nothing. You’re either red or blue or black or white and somehow that defines your position on a whole assortment of issues. Political advertising is filling the airwaves in my town these days and it’s disgusting. Vigorous debate is fine. Broadcast assault by half-truths is not. I’ve got a hunch that in the current climate we’d be divided as a denominational family no matter what the provoking issue. If our division is being driven by societal divisions, I may have to rethink my resistance to “irreconcilable differences.” But, at this moment, I still think Christians can rise above.
The General Executive Council will meet in late September to address the structure of the ABC-USA. It’s something that needs to be done. Whether it will help with our larger issues remains to be seen. I appreciate Roy Medley's efforts to get us through this. In this process, as in so many others, it seems we get caught between efficiency and principle. I can quickly come up with a clear, concise structure for the ABC – the only problem is it won’t be Baptist. We also can’t seem to figure out how to hold on to our history and how to move forward from it. When is our history a strong foundation and when is it holding us back from engaging a new day? Analyzing any possible proposals is inappropriate at this time. The members of the GEC will do that and, I hope, the process will lead us to ideas we have not yet conceived. We will talk more in the blog about this process after the meeting when we can discuss the possibilities for the future.
Rather amazingly, I still think we’ll use the minds God gave us and find a positive way to move forward as an ABC family.
You made reference to my dislike for the term “irreconcilable differences.” Yeah, it’s been pretty evident in meetings we’ve both attended that I tend to “go off” when the term is used. I apologize for the intensity of my response. My contention has been “How can Christians have irreconcilable differences?” Couldn’t Jesus fix our differences – if we gave him a chance? Of course, I know that there are many areas in which people have nearly irreconcilable differences. My problem is that we use the term too soon. What I’m curious about right now is – does having irreconcilable differences mean we can’t work together? The answer is “No.” Baptists have always worked across lines of serious differences.
The problem is that the current climate in our society encourages all or nothing. You’re either red or blue or black or white and somehow that defines your position on a whole assortment of issues. Political advertising is filling the airwaves in my town these days and it’s disgusting. Vigorous debate is fine. Broadcast assault by half-truths is not. I’ve got a hunch that in the current climate we’d be divided as a denominational family no matter what the provoking issue. If our division is being driven by societal divisions, I may have to rethink my resistance to “irreconcilable differences.” But, at this moment, I still think Christians can rise above.
The General Executive Council will meet in late September to address the structure of the ABC-USA. It’s something that needs to be done. Whether it will help with our larger issues remains to be seen. I appreciate Roy Medley's efforts to get us through this. In this process, as in so many others, it seems we get caught between efficiency and principle. I can quickly come up with a clear, concise structure for the ABC – the only problem is it won’t be Baptist. We also can’t seem to figure out how to hold on to our history and how to move forward from it. When is our history a strong foundation and when is it holding us back from engaging a new day? Analyzing any possible proposals is inappropriate at this time. The members of the GEC will do that and, I hope, the process will lead us to ideas we have not yet conceived. We will talk more in the blog about this process after the meeting when we can discuss the possibilities for the future.
Rather amazingly, I still think we’ll use the minds God gave us and find a positive way to move forward as an ABC family.
Ouch!
Posted at: Future Bard | Syndicated: August 30th, 2006 @ 5:19 pm
I returned from my writing tutorial session. My prof tore me a new one. I have a lot of work to do on the following: theme, scene structure, conflict, internalization, point of view, and how a story should progress... just to name a few.
I appreciate the honesty. We talked and created a plan of action for the next week and will do so each week for the rest of the semester. This is what I wanted.
Why We Are Blind
Posted at: Tike's Best Friend | Syndicated: August 30th, 2006 @ 4:40 pm
Wasted Millions
Posted at: Future Bard | Syndicated: August 30th, 2006 @ 8:00 am
What profession requires you to waste millions to become competent? If you said politics, you wrong. Politicians are never competent. The answer: writing.
Every tome on writing riffs off the same basic premise. How do you learn to write? By Writing. A lot.
For some reason, I always resisted this. The pragmatist in me couldn't see how knowingly barging ahead in the wrong direction is a good idea
Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Jo…
Posted at: A Baptist Perspective | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 10:00 pm
Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, offers an excellent rebuttal to Katherine Harris' lie that "the separation of church and state is a lie." Sadly, many fundamentalist Baptists increasingly place their faith in historical lies and myths.
Introducing Mainstream Baptists
Posted at: Future Bard | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 4:07 pm
I am a regular participant in a new group blog called Mainstream Baptists. We have pooled our efforts into creating a recognized site for those interested in religous liberty, separation of church and state, and mainstream social issues.
Michael Westmoreland-White compiled each of the contributors' data into brief bios. Check it out here.
Technorati temporary post
Posted at: Future Bard | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
Technorati Profile
Kennedy, Hitler, Darwin, Evolution, and other things
Posted at: Thoughts of a minister | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 3:09 pm
Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Jo…
Posted at: A Baptist Perspective | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Church Victory Fellowship
Posted at: Just My Opinion | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 5:49 am
Is that a smile?
Posted at: Future Bard | Syndicated: August 29th, 2006 @ 12:56 am
I have been in a funk for the past year: unhappy with the lack of resources in my grad program, particularly the lack of instruction; overworked and underpaid; and worrying enough to drain years off my life.
I have been eerily bipolar lately. I call ecstatic and happy about my meeting with KJW and my first classes with Professor Chester. Then, the next day I come back venting and angry again.
My First year has pass at Calvary
Posted at: GOD MIN | Syndicated: August 27th, 2006 @ 12:17 pm
First Year in Calvary Baptist
Posted at: GOD MIN | Syndicated: August 26th, 2006 @ 3:04 pm
A Daughter’s Advice
Posted at: Just My Opinion | Syndicated: August 26th, 2006 @ 3:05 am
“Of the Holy Scriptures” - Ch. I, Art. I
Posted at: The Young Evangelical | Syndicated: August 23rd, 2006 @ 4:37 pm
Philadelphia, Here I Come
Posted at: The Young Evangelical | Syndicated: August 23rd, 2006 @ 3:55 pm
PLEASE just about the SUBJECT day, week and month in church.
Posted at: GOD MIN | Syndicated: August 22nd, 2006 @ 6:22 am
