Parts of Speaking Publishing

 I am speaking of his bizarre tweets/social media posts about Pope Leo, and the AI where he is dressed like an imagined image of Jesus and healing someone.  I think his associates should stand far away from him when he gets struck by lightning.  He has been called King Cyrus because of helping the Jews. He is more like Nebuchadnezzar, although he has surpassed Neb's nonsense in Daniel 4:28. I would say Trump would be walking around in madness but I think that has already happened.  God help us. It would be an answer to prayer to have leaders we need rather than those we deserve. 

 This past week I watched my granddaughter twice, caught an infection (sinus and eye) that I'm trying to recover from today by staying in bed and not acting like I can ignore it, recorded a very good podcast (because of the guest), spoke at church to a small group, and lived, I hope, for Jesus. I also reviewed my upcoming book that will be out in the early fall and thought a lot about its launch and marketing. I made a lasagna, cared for a garden, talked with friends, and read about self-publishing for a presentation next month.  This morning, thanks to YouTube, I listened to my pastor at Brainerd Baptist Church speak on Colossians 1:24-2:2.  Colossians and Ephesians (which I used as a basis for the reflections on Lent) have a lot of parallels. In his sermon, Pastor Hill brought out the theme of what drives us. In this text (which starts a little hard to understand, see below*) Paul expresses how his motivation:    Him we preach,  warning every man and teac...

 Alan Jacobs has a truthful and helpful essay in Dispatch Faith on "C & E Christians" (not to be confused with C of E - Church of England - Christians). I think he may be a little tongue in cheek, but he reminds us not to judge them since we all are in need of grace. Here is the link:  https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/christianity-easter/ I think you'll get a free read.  I want to add to it that maybe those C & E Christians are kept from attending for valid reasons. Many people have to work Sundays. Many are caregivers. Many can't get regular transportation. I know this is not the case for most people who only show up on Christmas and Easter. I'm not sure I would call all of them Christians. In the South, they might be showing up for "Momma" or "Grandma" before the big holiday meal and not have too much interest in the practice of worship the other 363 days per year.  But then again . . .  This morning I sat next to a y...

 From Jonah Goldberg: I didn’t intend to write anything tied to Passover and Easter, but it occurs to me that both are celebrations of triumph over despair. Both start in darkness, the Crucifixion for Christians and the bondage of slavery for Jews. Both are wholly justifiable causes for despair. Jesus has been tortured and slain. The Jews, enslaved for generations, are on the brink of erasure as a people. But Christ rises, and the Jews rise up. Death is not final. The despair of slavery is not eternal. The Powers That Be, whether Roman or Egyptian, are not immutable, unconquerable forces foreclosing the possibility of hope. There is good work to be done, and the doing of it is a reward unto itself.

 From the famous S.M. Lockridge sermon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS2wPotScZY&list=RDQS2wPotScZY&start_radio=1  Already, but not yet. And Lent, the time of waiting, is over. 

  Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,             Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack             From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning             If I lacked anything. "A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here":             Love said, "You shall be he." "I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,             I cannot look on thee." Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,             "Who made the eyes but I?" "Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame             Go where it doth deserve." "And know you not," says Love, "who b...