Head-dibs

Outline summary of observations from Huldrych Zwingli’s “The Shepherd”, a sermon preached in October, 1523. “The image of both pastors [true and false] set forth by that most famous clerk, Huldrych Zwinglius, and how translated out of the Latin and into Englishe by John Wernon Synonoys. A most fruitful and necessary book, to be had and read in all churches, therewith to enarm all simple and ignorant folks, against the ravenous wolves and false prophets. London, 1550.” Introduction: the content and purpose for writing: To “find the color and shape of a true shepherd”; To “see the false wolves which pass themselves off in sheep’s clothing . . . standing with their fangs and claws which the sheep’s clothing cannot cover.” Purpose for writing: To lead them [false shepherds] away from their designs; and if not, to warn the godly Christian people against them; that God would rule (God has delivered His people in the past; God has provided salvation for His people now; God will be faithful to...

Now the problem could be entirely mine, in which case the following is mere rambling from a skewed perspective; on the other hand, the problem is real and the skew lies elsewhere . . . I noticed a recent post from a certain non-profit educational institution "whose mission is to promote a free and virtuous society sustained by religious principles and characterized by personal and economic liberty." The post is an invitation to all Seminary and Graduate students to participate in a Homiletics [Preaching] Award competition. Submissions will be judged on faithfulness to Biblical text, relevance to [an assigned] contemporary situation and the overall homiletical structure, content and delivery. Cash prizes of $2000, $1000 and $500 will be awarded to first, second and third place finalists. Participants in the preach-off will submit a tape 12-20 minutes long along with a manuscript of said same sermon (caveat: manuscript NOT to have the author's name). The assigned scripture ...

Adapted from "To Be Educated" by Carolyn C. If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, But have not learned how to communicate with the Designer of all language, My education is not complete. If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, But have never disciplined myself to hide God's Word in my heart, My education is not complete. If I can classify animals by their family, genus, and species and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, But have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation, My education is not complete. If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, But have not been informed of the hand of God in the history of our country, My education is not complete. If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves men to tears, But have not learned to listen to the Director of the...

Have you ever given much thought to “the oldest profession?” When this phrase comes to our ears, our thoughts generally go one of two directions, and admittedly, both directions are nowhere near the right direction one could be going. When one considers the phrase “the oldest profession,” one may think of either witchcraft or prostitution. There is a third direction one should consider and when one may (or may not) sift through the reasons witchcraft or prostitution may try elaborate in order to lay claim to the title, suddenly it becomes clear how these two actually make a mockery of what is the truest and oldest profession, which is shepherding, also called “pastoring.” The pastor, or shepherd, is the first profession mentioned in scripture. When Adam was created, God said man was to “rule over the fish of the sea and over birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Gen 1:26). This nebulous task is seen as man...

"I tried. Can't do it. Brain's empty." from: Creech, Sharon. Love that Dog . New York: Harper Collins, 2001.