Since 2003, I have been involved in training people for ministry. I taught Bible and ministry classes, and for several years have been the dean or director of schools whose primary foci were preparing people for lay and vocational ministry. Throughout my career, one of my great worries has been how poorly most pastors handle … Continue reading Pastoring the Pastors
Life
Discovered a “New” Band, JRAD
So I'm a big fan of the Grateful Dead and Phish, bands whose shows are/were hugely improvisational: no set list, so the songs they play vary greatly every night; long, extended jams, thirty minute guitar solos, etc. I am a jam band fan. (I was greatly disappointed when I got the CDR's of Led Zeppelin's … Continue reading Discovered a “New” Band, JRAD
Album of the Year (So Far)
A brief wandering away from writing about theology: Is it The National? I like to think of myself as a bit of a music snob. And for about six years, since they released Trouble Will Find Me in May 2013, my favorite favorite band has been The National. So when their new album, I Am … Continue reading Album of the Year (So Far)
From CT: “Biblical Responses to Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings”
We were horrified at the news from Sri Lanka this past Sunday, where terrorists affiliated with ISIS bombed Christian churches during their Easter services. The pictures of a statue of Jesus, splattered with worshippers' blood, was especially appropriate & symbolic (Colossians 1:24 (NET): "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up … Continue reading From CT: “Biblical Responses to Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings”
Beth’s Testimony
Last night, my wife gave the following testimony at Crikvenica. (Posted with her permission.) This morning, the most awful thing happened to me. Oh, I smiled pleasantly, and acquiesced, but in my soul, I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. What was this awful thing? Mladin asked me to share my testimony with … Continue reading Beth’s Testimony
Good Friday / Dark Saturday Thoughts
Last night (Friday night), BIZG and our Center for Biblical Research joined with Biblija365 to present a public reading of scripture for Good Friday. It was a beautiful event, with classical guitar & vocals accompanying the reading. At the event, I was struck by how we weren't very good at Good Friday in American churches; … Continue reading Good Friday / Dark Saturday Thoughts
Arthur Brooks & Simon Sinek
Matthew 5.43-48: You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain … Continue reading Arthur Brooks & Simon Sinek
