Head-dibs

Why does one enter the ministry? “Before a person aspires to enter any profession, it is fair to ask him whether he knows what will be expected of him.” [1] Has anyone ever asked you that—“Why are you in the ministry?” One quickly discovers that his answer must come from one or two areas—either he is in the ministry for God or for himself. Generally speaking one also quickly recognizes that whatever he is “in” for is to accomplish something for himself or for God. A recent survey of seminary students revealed some unsettling facts: 89% of those surveyed saw preparation or enhancement of a Christian Service Career was Important. 48% saw importance in becoming a better-educated person. 74% saw the necessity of improving job skills as important or somewhat important. 37% were neutral in seeing to develop personal maturity while 26% thought this was important and 31% said this was unimportant. 48% thought that maturity in the Christian life was important, while 52% saw this as somewhat im...

Thomas Jefferson encouraged the study of the Greek and Latin as they are models of pure writing and one should enjoy the luxury of reading “the originals” as there is value in the science of all those classics contain; however, Jefferson did admit that the study of “the originals” is not for everyone. [1] Alexis de Tocqueville indicates the intentional nature of classic literature. “Nothing in their works seems to be done hastily or at random; every line is written for the eye of the connoisseur and is shaped after some conception of ideal beauty.” The point of study is not that men would become dangerous citizens who specialize in dead languages, but that men would become changed by what they read following the discipline of learning how to read. He serves the reminder of the difference between the slave and the free man is what he knows—it was the slaves who discharged the duties of the middle classes. If the aristocrats wanted to learn anything or to hire a service, they went to tho...

The Navajo talk of walking life paths and each one walks his or her own. Basically, there is the Dine’ way (the Navajo way, the way of life and land) or there is a way for everyone else—and generally speaking, it is in the Dineway the Navajo tries to maintain the hozho (peace) of the imbalance of nature caused by the less knowledgeable (non-Navajo). Within the Navajo way are many paths detailed in ceremonies: the Navajo Blessingway, which is a rehearsal of “emergence” or creation (of sorts); the Enemyway, a cleansing ceremony and others such as Shootingway, Nizhoniway or Beautyway, Mountainway, Nightway, Navajo Windway. Each of these is dominated by chants categorized as Lifeway, Evilway and Holyway. [1] In more recent times there has been the addition of the Jesusway. Since the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ believers are recognizing there is another path to walk and it is a narrow way that leads to life. Jesus taught, “Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate a...

Horatius Bonar writes in Words to Winners of Souls, “Take heed to thyself. Your own soul is your first and greatest care. You know a sound body alone can work with power, much more a healthy soul.” Bonar then presents four ways by which one is to accomplish the personal care of the soul. First, “keep a clear conscience through the blood of the Lamb.” I remember once asking a great Christian brother how he managed to keep such a level head. I never saw him angry or irritated. This brother just keeps his cool. I have seen him agitated but not distraught—“shaken, but not stirred” (so to speak), but he is such a consistent person with his demeanor that I just had to ask how he did it. He simply smiled and said, “keep short accounts with God.” “That’s it?” I wondered. “That’s it.” And he just smiled. John MacArthur illustrates the purpose and function of the conscience. "In 1984 an Avonca Jet crashed in Spain. As always after a crash like that investigators study the accident s...