Regarding the ACNA Drama of Late

  1. Men, in general, are more likely to directly communicate concerns/issues with their bishop than women. — I.e., men will send an e-mail or make a phone call instead of writing a Tumblr post.
  2. Female clergy, just by existing, are already living into being an open statement/rebellion against some authorities. Therefore, they are already going to be more comfortable openly conflicting with authority.
  3. Clergy who are in academic positions, should not judge the action (or inaction) of clergy on the ground in parishes and ministry. I.e., maybe I’m too busy doing a hospital visit or writing a sermon on my lunch break to get involved with something that’s — rightfully — my bishop’s concern.

In sum, I ain’t got time for public virtue signaling. I share my concerns with my bishop. He, and many of the bishops I’ve met, are Godly men doing their best. It ain’t my job to try and be in the college of bishops when I don’t have all the information.

Currently reading: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan 📚 — New books arriving Monday, so I’m powering through. 1/2 way through part two. Still some good bits, but hidden in a slough of tedious reading.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Going out on a limb here, but do I know anyone who has/knows of affordable housing in Nashville? — I’ve got two Christians with full time jobs living on the streets. Can’t find vacancy at around $850 anywhere!

Sealed with Christ’s body in their baptism, they are sealed to us, and we are one body.

The people we are serving on our streets are very members of our own church, very members of the eternal Kingdom of God, and it is our duty to love them, to support them, and to be with them.

Truly, if they are not at His table, we are not celebrating His holy meal.

— The Roots & Vision of CoA

The UMC allowing deacons to preside at the Holy Table is just nuts. Far outside the apostolic witness. — Then again, I guess they’ve already dropped any concern for the tradition, so YOLO.

Deutsche: Eine Frage. Ich hab’s bemerkt auf YouTube dass Leute mehr und mehr ins Publikum “Du” statt “Sie” benutzen. Ist das in die letzte Jahrzehnte verändert?

Currently reading: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan 📚 — Started strong, but I’m half way and really struggling now. Starting to get repetitive. Going to power through, though.

Garden sorted. A ring of strong herbs (chives, mint, and cilantro) in an attempt to keep squirrels at bay. — Also, we love those herbs so win/win.

Got a shortlist of what I need for the garden. Excited to get planting!

Order my steps in thy word, and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. Ps 119:133

This Talkative is not aware of; he thinks that hearing and saying will make a good Christian, and thus he deceiveth his own soul. Hearing is but as the sowing of the seed; talking is not sufficient to prove that fruit is indeed in the heart and life; and let us assure ourselves, that at the day of doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, Did you believe? but, Were you doers, or talkers only? and accordingly shall they be judged.

The Pilgrim’s Progress

Virgin & the Holy Child and Charles Wesley. This is how we roll in the Arnold home: Reformed, Catholic, and Methodist. — The full expression of English Christianity.

If you’ve got children, you should get this book and read it to them every few months. It’s a great, age-appropriate, and approachable way to casually talk about safety with smaller children.

Currently reading: Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos 📚— Just finished chapter 4. Such an odd and wonderful book! I’m not entirely certain what all is going on, but I have deep sympathy for the priest and relate to his struggles among his village.

Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once, but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:9-11