For it is by grace you have been saved...

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Miscellany: The Good, the Bad and the Patriotic

Just came across a couple of things I thought I’d like to pass along; a couple of links from Challies.com and then something from an email. Just in case you have some spare time today and need a little filler. So here we go…

The Good

This link from the Take Your Vitamin Z blog has a wonderful list of lessons learned in ministry. These are insightful, fun, and spot on. After 20 years as a pastor, I would “Amen” each of these, and agree that I wish someone had told me about up front.

Brady Boyd: 10 things I wish someone had told me
1. Sheep bites can’t kill me, but the gnawing will make life miserable a few days each year.

2. No matter how hard I try, I will always be tempted to measure my success by attendance numbers.

3. The best thing I can do to build and grow God’s kingdom is to be myself and not compare myself to others.

4. It takes a long time to become old friends so nurture and cherish the old friendships God has given me.

5. I will only have as much spiritual authority as I am willing to submit to myself. Independence will destroy me but there is power in submission.

6. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Challenge people to go deeper even when the message is unpopular.

7. My brain will always feel like scrambled eggs on Sunday afternoon so don’t make any major decisions until Tuesday morning.

8. Some people will only trust you after a really long time of proving yourself and another group will never trust you no matter what you do.

9. Don’t feel guilty about taking a Sabbath. It was not a suggestion.

10. I will never regret spending time with my family instead of saying yes to a church meeting that someone else could lead.


The Bad:

Check out this article from CNN:
Being a devoted bibliophile (see here for more) I see this as a doom and gloom report of epic proportions! Not only because I think that the printed page is much more “experiential” than the digital counterpart, but because in an age so dependent on technology in general, this is one more step down a path that we may one day truly regret. Read the article and tell me what you think. (And then go out and buy a couple of real books!)


The Patriotic

Someone sent me this cartoon from Steve Breen at the San Diego Union Tribune. I know nothing about him or the paper, but especially with Veterans’ Day looming, I thought it was just too good not to pass on.
Thank God for the men and women who have given so much over the years to give us the freedom to be complete ingrates!

2 comments:

Nick said...

I remember when Steve Jobs said people didn't read anymore. While I do agree most people don't read in the same way their grandparents do (or did), I don't think anything will replace the printed page.

I've used iBooks on the iPhone, and it really is neat, but not over a real book. I doubt the upcoming generation would feel that same way though.

Matt Taylor said...

I'm trying to focus on #4. It is crucial for men to have good friends to fight the fight of faith.

I don't think books will go away. But, I like the prospect of space and money savings.

A big THANK YOU to a those who put there lives on the line so I can worship Jesus with no threat to my life. And I know that many of them would be by my side if there was a threat.

Thanks for sharing.

In Christ,
Matt