Here I offer some decent songs, good reads from other people, and an unexpected conversation about a dog. It’s called the week in review, although some materials are a little older. Diving in, you’ll find this is a less academic piece. Set to the recent flow of my social networks, it’s a little different as well. To talk about big ideas in small blurbs is one thing, but to include them in an article is another. So today, I offer thoughts that may seem disjointed, but they’re drawn from where I am at the moment, and from what seems to make my world go ’round.
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02.21.22
…oh you know, just listening to a MPJ song I remembered randomly. WHERE IS THIS GUY NOW?? Last I heard he was still touring…
& adding small gigs, even house gigs for a certain amount of people, kinda the coffee shop feel
He is an indie artist extraordinaire, sure…
but in his business, MPJ is also one of the greatest poets
Matthew Perryman Jones
Keep It On The Inside
02.22.22
Dr. Rick Rice, Pastor, Traverse City Nazarene
MTS: Olivet, JD: Notre Dame, DMin: Trinity
WARNING || Read at Your Own Risk
1) DO NOT read if you are into a soft-universalism which allows you to blend ideas from various religions into some sort of lukewarm, Theological stew
2) DO NOT read if you are a “popularizer” of Theology, self-taught, drawing from whatever top 10 Christian book, speaker, or praise band, etc. is in the limelight at the moment… yet you have no accountability to anyone who is a serious, devoted scholar… so you teach only popular doctrine
3) DO NOT read if you do not believe in God’s miraculous power to sustain and intervene, or if you do not believe in divine healing
To read Dr. Rick’s article “Folk Theology (February 21, 2022)” CLICK HERE
Later on the 22nd
Song of the day for too many reasons… & whoever she is, she makes the tears well up at the thought of love fulfilled when other loves are failing
BTW I think I like Tyson Motsenbocker partially b/c he reminds me of a mellow Dan Haseltine
Tyson Motsenbocker
Always
February 24, 2022
President Biden shared some remarks about our engagement in Ukraine. I would like to remember the event. His speech begins at about the mark 1:38:05. Here’s my post before the fact.
GOING LIVE at 1:30 pm… I’ve been following the Dept of State for a while now on this issue. I’m hoping for their continued response which has been reflecting the true values of America
President Biden Delivers Remarks on
Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine
Also on the 24th
A “memory” became available on Facebook so I shared it.
6 years ago today
Posted this quote on FB
Extremely relevant today
Thank you Howard Snyder
“The peace which Jesus brings is rooted in the Old Testament promises. It therefore clearly means universal ‘shalom’ throughout the whole created order – not just absence of conflict but harmony, balance and health . . . Christians are kingdom people when, having found peace with God through Jesus, they build a peaceful community and become agents of God’s ‘shalom’ in the world” – Howard A. Snyder
02.26.22
I shared another Facebook “memory.” I guess some things are lining up.
02.27.22
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working
“Way Maker” by Sinach
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121.3-4, NRSV
02.28.22
I heard this song on a playlist today. Ptr. Gary Johnson from Texas spoke a couple’s retreat in Pismo Beach. He said in one of the sessions that he had never seen a couple who had truly fallen in love…
fall out of love…
they only become heartbroken!
As I listened to this a few times today, I was reminded of Ptr. Gary’s wisdom. This song seems to be an example. Find someone like Ptr. Gary if you need to talk. I also offer online counseling for clients in Michigan.
Stephen Day
Autumn’s Song
03.02.22
So I ask someone on the praise team how the day is going. I may not precisely relay every detail, but here’s the main picture.
She said she nearly lost the dog. She found it down the street around the corner, about to cause a ruckus at the neighbor’s, so she tried to walk it home.
Unfortunately, it still wanted to run and play, and it’s a very large dog. So she was dragged all over the street.
It’s a mix of Rottweiler and a rare type of dog from the Spanish Isles…
He’s bred to be a guard dog.
She is finally able to get the dog home, arrive at church in time for praise team rehearsal, and…
talk to me when I ask about the day.
I can relate, but I’m actually honored when she talks to me. She always seems so busy with all the hats she wears, I don’t know who she talks to. Maybe it’s my ministry, academic, or counseling background…
or maybe she’s just becoming comfortable around me since I joined the praise team.
I never know who may appreciate my active listening skills today. Even ministers need the ministry of presence.
03.03.22
To read the Forbes article “10 States Have Banned Russian Vodka – A Symbolic Gesture With Little Economic Punch” CLICK HERE
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