Inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Earlier on this week I had an investing talk with my ordination mentor, Rev. Jonathan Hauze about preaching sermons and the process of writing sermons.  When it comes to the Biblical view of a pastor’s preaching duties, many view the duties of the preacher to be the closest to that of the Old Testament prophet.  [...]

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Late reflections are better than never

Well over two weeks ago on Trinity Sunday (May 18th this year) was also celebrated as Graduate Sunday at Wentz’s United Church of Christ, where this year’s graduates, myself included were honored. The service was well done and full of surprises especially afterward on the way out when I was intercepted by one of [...]

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In with the new year of 2008

For the most part, 2007 was a fairly typical seminary year as I progressed onward in my studies. Without a doubt the most notable event of the past year, was finally reaching the end to my seemly prenatal 26 and a half years of singleness when Paula came into my life. It is [...]

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A Long Overdue Ministry Update

Earlier on this fall I took part in 7 week ministry experiment at Wentz’s United Church of Christ as an exploration of pastoral ministry through taking part in leading worship, through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I’m very grateful for how the Elders were willing to take the time to have extended meetings with me [...]

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What do you have to say to us?

This past week I had a very productive and enjoyable meeting with Pastor Tony about the next steps toward getting in care status, the first stage of ordination. The part of our two hour and twenty minute talk that stood out to me the most was my question about the difference between the Evangelical [...]

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motive above skill?

“There have been men before now who got so interested in proving the existence of God that they came to care nothing for God Himself … as if the good Lord had nothing to do but exist! There have been some who were so occupied in spreading Christianity that they never gave a thought [...]

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To be or not to be

No I’m not considering suicide but another matter of equal or greater importance, ordination. My past meeting about it brought up some things about the nature of ordinated ministry that I haven’t known before. As while every Christian is called to some form of ministry, a few are called to go beyond the [...]

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Biblical Greek

I’m finally finished with my NT Greek classes at Biblical and I’m glad that its over. At the same time my level of fluency that I ended up is a bit disappointing as I can barely translate stray verses with a grammar and lexicon and trying to read the NT in the original Greek is [...]

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Blessed To Be An Instrument of Blessing

Lately I keep on thinking back to the Abrahamic Covenant and its relationship to the whole of Christianity as well as to my life in general; making me glad that I took Genesis in the fall as it was something that I never gave much attention to before. I especially like the promise that Yahweh [...]

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The Dangers of Theology

I’ve heard it said that seminary is a risky overtaking given the odds that are at stake and the increased accountability before God by increasing in knowledge and ultimately becoming leaders within the church. At the same time the question remains how does one know if they are coming closer to the truth or completely [...]

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