Should I start a personal email newsletter? I’m thinking weekly. Focus on sharing anything life-enhancing I’ve found or learned or enjoyed throughout the week. Perhaps some thoughts on theology, ethics, and politics sprinkled-in.
Giving the Lochby A5 Field Folio (zipper closure) a try!
Finally utilizing my library’s 3D printing service and it makes me downright giddy. Having them print me a screwdriver handle that fits in/on Harbor Freight’s ICON “Meme Tool” ratchet and bit set! :)
We are reaping the social and political harvest of USA evangelicalism/fundamentalism and its political idolatry of the Right. The fruit is rotten. What does that say about the tree?
Pastors/churches: If you haven’t yet spoken out against the rise of fascism in the United States, the mistreatment of immigrants, etc., what’s your “red line,” as it were, to be willing to “get political” and say something about these things? To specifically call things out and teach, preach, and act against them? Do the threats have to come from the Left? Do they have to apply to you or your loved ones directly? Do they have to negatively affect your church’s budget? What would, even hypothetically, prompt you to say something more direct?
There’s something soul-killing about Jira.
Any companies/services you’d recommend for getting a single hat or t-shirt printed with a custom logo?
Do I stick with the Leuchtturm 1917 A5 dotted for like $25? Or do I go in for the Lochby Field Folio A5 for $70?
Regarding my next personal computer search, I’m currently leaning toward ~$1,500 Mac Mini with 32GB memory and 1TB storage.
On the hunt for my next personal computer. Looking for $1,500 or less, 32GB or more memory, 1TB or more storage. No gaming, but writing, web/software development, Logos Bible Software, basic graphic design, working with text/code/PDFs/images. Apple or Linux. Laptop or desktop. Any specific recs?
What are the most helpful resources for doing quick, detailed topical studies on “What the Bible says about X”? I’ve got a huge physical and Logos Bible/theology library, but most of that was geared toward biblical studies and historical theology. I want good resources for topical analysis.
Can you run Logos Bible Software on Linux?
Pastors, I obviously can’t tell you what to say on any given Sunday. And I think the cries of “If your church doesn’t mention X this Sunday, walk out!” are overblown.
But, for Christ’s sake, preach like you would have wanted German pastors to have preached in 1930s and 1940s, when the Gestapo was terrorizing and disappearing Jews.
You cannot and should not chase every news story in the pulpit. But have you spoken of God’s heart for the poor and powerless, especially immigrants!, recently? Have you clarified how God’s power, freedom, and justice are oh so different from what’s on display these days? How the way of the Lamb is different from the way of the Dragon? How the Kingdom of God runs counter to racism and nationalism?
Shame, shame on those pastors who have capitulated to Christian nationalism and preach MAGA sermons each week! But also shame on those pastors who “both-sides” their way into lukewarm platitudes when what’s called for is gospel clarity. Even if that clarity sounds, yes, “political.”
COURAGE! Like my namesake, I tell you: “Be strong and courageous!” And “Choose you this day whom you will serve!” Speak up for those who are being dragged away and discarded. Like God Himself, defend the widow, orphan, and immigrant!
For all followers of Jesus Christ who have ever wondered what they would have done if they had found themselves in 1930s Germany, this is our hour. May our shepherds and teachers not fail us.
My Friday evening plans? Wife’s out with some other moms, so I’m gonna party hard. And by “party hard,” I mean “watch Practical Engineering videos about bridges on YouTube, and then maybe some Ken Burns American Revolution documentary, before going to bed at 9:30.”
Any fun Friday plans?
Ever get done with your Morning Pages, journal, etc. and think “Welp, that got dark!”?
If you’re a notebook person, what’s your daily driver notebook? I do a combo of Bullet Journaling and Morning Pages. Usually use a Leuchtturm 1917 A5 dotted hardcover. About done with a Midori MD A5 Lined in a Systemic Cover and looking for my next notebook. 📓 ✍️
New Year weight loss goals not going great. I’m tracking everything I eat, and working out regularly. But I weighed 211 on Jan 1, 209.6 on Jan 2, and 217 today. 😡 Steadily up about a pound each morn for the past few days.
Asking the internet to weigh-in (because why not?): Is resigning from ministry the same as renouncing Holy Orders? See here for info/context: joshuapsteele.com/an-eccles…
I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that working for ICE is remembered the same way as working for the SS or the Gestapo.