partsofspeaking

 I am so excited about this book: My first Appalachian novel, and the first hardback. Can be viewed at Amazon.  Print will be available Mid-May.

A Sent Messenger, Acts 13 and 14 (life group lesson)   Let us begin with context. Acts 9: Paul converted, called, and commissioned, then he disappears from the narrative for a while. He states in Galatians 1:15-20 that he was in Arabia and perhaps Damascus for three years. This passage is an interesting aside about how he was not easily accepted in those first few years. Galatians also describes a conflict with the leaders in Jerusalem that could be seen as less than charitable. Acts 10-11. Through Peter, the gospel breaks through to the Gentiles via Cornelius’ household. Acts 12: Herod kills James (Zebedee), Peter is delivered from prison, and Herod is judged.   The focus of the narrative shifts to the Antioch Church in 12:25-13:1-3, referring back to 12:19-26. 1.      These four verses are sort of a model for missions and serving with spiritual gifts. a.      Together, collectively, corporately. Not a one-man/woman show. b.      As they minist

 Derek Thompson, who is never short on opinions, published this in the Atlantic . Despite this first sentence, I agree with him. I have lived it over the last 20 years. And I would say my institution is quite conservative in this regard, but we have had to, because of federal law and student expectations mostly, add several non-faculty positions. Fortunately, we do not depend overmuch on part-timers, not like many institutions, and their service is limited to two classes per semester in most cases.   The issue is also, are these burgeoning staff positions even effective? Well, it could be considered Apples and Oranges. Today there is almost no barrier to getting into some kind of (access) college. That access does not mean success. (Sounds like a good slogan for someone:  Access means success [or not].) But because there are few barriers, more come, and that means more issues to deal with, mental health being one of the largest, as well as academic unpreparedness.  A secon

 John MacArthur helped many of us in the 1980s.  He has grown old and proud and mean. The latest viral video saying there is no such thing as PTSD is heartbreaking. Yes, Big Pharma gets us to overmedicate, but denying the severe trauma people have gone through is out of his league and cruel. He must be surrounded by yes-men.