Just plain Gone!

Quite by accident I have learned that the wise guys at Google are "retiring" Google Reader.  Who do I complain to about this?  This is worse than the time I stopped by a local BBQ joint only to find a handwritten sign on the door that said, "Sorry, out of business!"  What?!  You can't just up and shut something down when there are people starving for BBQ or poised to read the latest blog.  Its just not right!

I'm really quite low tech.  I obviously have a computer and know how to use it, mostly.  That's  about as far as it goes for me.  I have a cell phone, but not a smart phone.  I don't have a "tablet" unless you count the actual paper one I carry in my briefcase.  I do use Facebook (mainly to spy on my kids).  I stay comfortably connected via my chosen means of communication and I DON'T LIKE CHANGE!  Google Reader has served me well.  I'm used to it.  Now, I can't access my subscriptions via the handy link-thing-drop-down-box at the top of my email page.  It just vanished, without so much as a warning.

I get the sneaking suspicion that me and 2 old dudes in Montana are the only ones who really care...and they're still using dial-up.

If I'm in YOUR Google Reader...well I guess you will have to find a new place to, whatever you call it.  The times they are a change'n  Next thing you know, you'll be able to talk to someone through video on your computer screen, like George Jetson did. Crazy stuff.

My Sad Little Blog

I made a short list of commitments for 2013 (no I won't be sharing them).  However, I did not resolve to blog more regularly.  Perhaps I should have.  But that does not mean I am prepared to scrap this sad little corner of the blogasphere.  I will press on and attempt to post here more frequently.  For now, I will leave you with a few reasons that I have failed to be persistent in blogging.

1) Out of sight, out of mind - While I'm on my computer often throughout the day, I rarely view my own blog.  I suspect very few others do either.

2) Time keeps on slip'n, slip'n, slip'n... - I have no idea where the hours and days go.  It seems we all have been allotted 24 hours per day.  Mine simply vanish before I'm able to accomplish such things as blogging.

3) Empty mind - When I do recall that I am the proud owner of a little-used space on the world-wide-web, I find that I have nothing to say.  Oh, I have lots of stuff in my head.  I just think no one wants to read about it.

4) Forever is a long time - Someone once reminded me that anything I post on the Internet will be there forever.  That's a bit overwhelming.  Especially when I'm aware that some of the things I write might have grammar issues or weak arguments.  Forever is a long time to be wrong.

That's it.  At least I have posted something here before the first month of the new year has officially expired.  If you are reading this on purpose, thanks for visiting and I will attempt to share some rich insights very soon.  If you are one of those loser spammers who posts comments that I always delete, well I'm not going to buy your miracle juice or "vitamins" so give up already.  And I'm certainly not going to visit your sad little blog.

Resurrection, Bubba and T4G

If I updated this blog more often I suspect someone would notice.  If I wrote more thought provoking content I suspect someone might even comment.  But alas, there are few spare moments to blog and even fewer thoughts that deserve to see the light of day.  However, today I will post a quick list of what is stirring in my head after a busy Easter weekend.

1.  Encouraging time with the Body in celebration of Christ's death and resurrection.  The joy and fervor I experienced on Friday night and Sunday morning blessed me to my core.  I want to celebrate my Savior that way every day!

2.  I get about 1 "comment" per week on this blog from Spammers.  It is the most ridiculous method of "marketing" ever conceived.  Who are these idiots and why do they feel the need to visit my obscure little corner of the web?

3.  I was thrilled with the result of the 2012 edition of The Masters.  The big winner, Bubba Watson, seems like the kind of guy I would enjoy hanging out with.  He is such a breath of fresh air for the PGA tour, on so many levels.

4.  I am preparing to attend T4G this week.  My tiny little brain is going to be pushed to the limit.  Like drinking from a fire hose.  In about 3 weeks I pray it will all sink into my heart as well.

5.  I miss my family terribly where we are apart, even for a few days.  However, it makes me value them so much more!

Blessings on you friends.  Enjoy His grace!
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There's A New Blog In Town

For regular visitors to "The Steeple" you may notice there is a new item listed on my list of blogs on the left side-bar. My sister, Lisa Call, is now blogging over at "Truth Be Told." Hope she updates her site more frequently than her younger brother.

I am glad she has stepped out into this medium and is willing to share her thoughts with the world. Add her to your "reader" and I believe you will be inspired and encouraged by her honesty. The Lord has been working in her heart and life over the last several years and she is happy to tell all who will listen what a blessing He has been to her.

We would all be strengthened if we participate in genuine relationships with one another and make an effort to "speak the truth" and do so with a measure of compassion and grace. We want to do so in order to build up the Body of Christ and bring glory to God.

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I Almost Forgot

I almost forgot that I had a blog. That's what a busy life in the ministry gets you. I have read plenty of other blogs, but I have completely ignored my own. Not sure that's likely to change anytime soon. But I will try to post more in the weeks ahead.

Although I have neglected my blog, I have spent time in recent weeks focusing on Christ, the Cross and the Gospel. Here's an intriguing quotation from Pierced for Our Transgressions:

"The Lord Jesus Christ did not come into the world to meet with his friends. He came to die for his enemies."

That is worth remembering.

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Friends

"A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Occasionally I look to see who is visiting this blog. I can only see those little red dots on the map (bottom, left). From the appearance of the map there are 'visitors' from all over the world. But most of these are actually not friends of mine. I suspect many of them are spammers, based on a few of the comments they try to sneak by me.

I also have a facebook profile. At last count I had 546 "friends." It makes me laugh. There are at least 30 on that list who are merely cyber acquaintances, friends of friends or some other very loose connection. Yet, they stay on the list. Perhaps the verse from Proverbs 18 should give me a hint that I have too many friends.

The Lord has blessed me with a number of very good friends. A few of them I communicate with regularly via email or telephone. Some I visit with in person and we talk long over hot coffee. It is a great encouragement to have those who pray for you often, offer godly counsel and words of encouragement. Friends will be honest with you and are willing to talk about the important issues of life. I know some of my friends stop by here 'Under the Steeple' and peruse my ramblings. I think of you at times when I am typing along, sharing my heart.

I know that some frown on the idea of calling Jesus our friend. That sort of talk, they say, weakens him. It brings him down to a trivial level and detracts from his atoning work as the God-man. However, I believe that my Savior, my Substitute, my Intercessor is also my dear Friend. He knows me like no other and in spite of it all, he still remains a faithful and trusted Friend. Certainly a bit different than the kid from my junior high days, but a friend nonetheless.

I hope this post will encourage you to reach out to a few old friends. Make an effort to reconnect with them, pray for them. Maybe you need to reach out so that you can share the gospel with them. Also, I want to challenge you to go deeper with those who are your trusted friends. Allow them into your life, to sharpen you and hold you accountable. And visit often with that one friend, who is closer than a brother.

No New Posts

I haven't had a thought worth posting in days. What does that say about my life, my ability to maintain a blog, or my personal intellect?

I suppose there are more important things than electronic media. Let's see if I can list one or two: The Bible, prayer, family, corporate worship, silence, coffee, personal relationships, exercise (never thought I'd put that on a list anywhere). I'll stop there but I'm certain there are more to include. Feel free to add to this list.

Thanks to those who stop by regularly, even when there is nothing to read here Under the Steeple. Soon a great wave of profound thought will capsize my brain and it will overflow onto my computer screen for all the world to see. Not likely, but I will post again someday.

Until then, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; Call upon Him while He is near."

Media Meets Ministry

A new layer has been added to my life. I have joined the Facebook generation. It was at my sister's urging that I do this as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. So, I now have a profile and all that stuff. I must be careful not to spend too much time.

Today I was reading the Pastor's Edition of On Mission magazine. I found an interesting and timely article entitled "Facebook for Pastors." The author, Chris Forbes, is involved in ministry marketing.

The premise of the article (which I can't find a link for) is that Facebook can be used by pastors and others to connect with people. The idea is that this can be a new way to reach folks with the gospel and maintain contact with those in and out of our churches. Overall I see the logic and understand the validity of using a broad range of tools to share Christ.

However, there can be other challenges when media meets ministry. I found one statement in the article just a little problematic. Maybe I'm being too critical, which is always possible. Here's the statement that troubles me: "With all the potential of social media, like Facebook, to form authentic communication and connections it's easy to see that it's becoming a great investment." [emphasis added]

I really don't think reading about someone on a computer screen fosters authenticity and creates genuine connections. This is what we have come to. Email, text messages, blogs, instant messaging and on the list goes. Electronic connections are not the genuine heartfelt connections that people need and want.

Certainly we should be creative in our approach to our friends and family with the message of hope in Christ Jesus. We should seek to build real and lasting relationships that will grow as a bridge for the gospel. But there is a time to cast aside pragmatism in favor of face to face, heart to heart communication. There is just something very special about looking someone directly in the eye as you share with them about God's grace in your life. Or being able to shake their hand as a means of encouragement.

There have been hundreds of people who have read this blog, well okay, dozens. Many of whom I will never know and never meet in person. God could use this form of communication for the purpose of ministry and evangelism. But the people I meet at the coffee shop and the ones who attend our church, those are the folks that I can really know in an authentic way.

I will use Facebook and this blog to share the truth. I would be crazy not to. But, I will bear in mind the limitations of electronic media. What do you think?

Map Has A Birthday

You may have noticed that on the bottom left side of my page there is a nifty little world map. I was just informed by the guys that host this little gadget that it has been one year since I uploaded my Clustermap. Whohoo!! It's really pretty cool because each time someone visits my blog a little red dot is added to the map. It gets updated every few days.

They are preparing to clear off the old red dots and start over with a clean map. As you can tell I am brimming with excitement. It will be intriguing to see where the visitors hail from.

The map that I have inset into this post is taken off the IMB web page. It shows all the strategic areas around the world where Southern Baptist missionaries are working to share the gospel. In the grand scheme of things my blog map is cool, but not nearly as important as this one. Join me in praying for missionaries around the world. To God be the glory!

A Bit Like a Dry Well

As you can see my blog has been pretty quiet for several days. We were busy last week at our church with Vacation Bible School. It was a great week. We had a wonderful group of workers which made the activities go so smoothly.

Most of us experience these times of dryness when our mind is not firing on all cylinders. I've got no fresh insights that I feel like I could share. I have been reading some good stuff. Just nothing bubbling up to the surface and making it to the blog.

I did watch a great little video today that featured Newt Gingrich. He's such a sharp guy on economics and public policy. This particular video focused on lowering oil prices. Good common sense stuff. Something most of the US Congressmen know nothing about.

So much for having nothing to post.

I Don't Like Spam

Although I do enjoy the tasty ham-like canned meat, fried on a sandwich with mustard, I do not like computer spam.

Now my blog is the target of these idiots. Do these people really think anyone is reading their electronic junk mail? Just like the paper versions that arrive in my PO box, it goes straight to the trash unopened.

Message to Spammers: No one reads your messages. No one is buying what you are selling. Move on.

Barren Wasteland

I have not posted much of anything for several days. The truth of the matter is, my mind is parched. I have nothing to say, nothing to write about. My stomach is turning because of all the political headlines and "talking heads" and debates (this is only going to increase in the coming months). This time of year tends to be a bit of a downer. Dreary and docile after the heightened rush of the holidays.

I am busy as normal in ministry. Although there is a bit of a let down in that area as well following Christmas. I am getting ready to dive into a new sermon series (1 Peter) this week. Much preparation required there.

If you are a frequent visitor, please continue to stop by. I promise to post something of value and inspiration as soon as I find it. For now I leave you with a verse that describes this sort of thing from a spiritual perspective. There are times when these words are my words. Have you ever felt the same?

"O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water." Ps. 63:1

Slacker

I have been away for the holidays and it clearly shows from my lack of posting that I am a slacker.

Time spent with family and friends in WV was very nice. I will be back to serious blogging in short order. I will try to get something meaningful posted before the end of the year.

For now, just enjoy the picture of the lighthouse, a great symbol of the Christian life as well as the gospel. This lighthouse is located at Sea Lion Point, OR.

Steeple One Year Old

It was a year ago this week that I ventured into the world of blogging. I must admit that I have often suffered from "blog block." However, the goal here is to share my heart and a few words of encouragement. I make no claims of genius. I am also prone to focus on things that are not always vitally important.

One of my father's favorite sayings was, "Let's keep the main thing the main thing." While that may mean different things to different people, for Christians the main thing is the gospel. We don't talk about it enough. We don't think about it enough. But we ought to. We can not "get over" the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is relevant everyday for those who have embraced it.

Echoing the theme of Paul from Philippians 3:8, John Flavel wrote, "All other knowledge, how much soever it be magnified in the world, is, and ought to be esteemed but dross, in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ." (The Works of John Flavel, Vol. 1 "The Fountain of Life")

I have an enormous way to go on this journey to "know Christ" and fully comprehend the gospel. This blog is part of the working out of this process. One of my goals here is to shine the light of the gospel onto the "information superhighway" in hopes that someone may see it, and embrace it.

If you are a frequent visitor to The Steeple, or first time visitor, thanks for stopping by. I trust you have found something here that is helpful.

We press on.

Back from the Dark Ages

I have been without my lap top for about ten days. It is back now but still acting a little odd. Soon I must install a new hard drive. I have 'people' who do these things for me as I am a simple man with very little knowledge of such technology. It has been a frustrating ten days. I will blog more later.

Saving NOLA

Again my buddy Brian B has a great post coming out of the heart of New Orleans. We are right at the 2 year anniversary of Katrina. What is making a difference in that city? If only the national media would talk with Brian and others with an evangelistic perspective.

It is the gospel that will heal New Orleans, LA. Furthermore, it is the gospel that will heal Prospect, KY and St. Albans, WV and Naas, Ireland and Camp Verde, AZ...I guess you get the picture.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16

Share it!

Build on the Rock

Great insight coming out of New Orleans via Brian Bridges' blog. Check out this post. It will challenge you for sure. Have you built on the Rock?

The Mystery of Providence

There are no coincidences. God is sovereign and he has ordered all things according to his will, his plan and his purposes. All of this factors into the doctrine of divine providence.

Wayne Grudem has defined providence this way: "God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he 1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; 2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and 3) directs them to fulfill his purposes." Systematic Theology pg. 315

I will admit this is a tremendously deep aspect of God that I do not pretend to understand comprehensively. However, I see the truth of it all around me.

John Flavel (d. 1691) has a very good work entitled The Mystery of Providence. What I have read in this short volume has been a blessing. Flavel provides a great Puritan perspective on this topic.

The recent traffic on my blog has led me to ponder this subject and the various aspects of God's providence. I have noticed an increase in recent visitors. The little map at the bottom left corner reveals that folks in other parts of the world have been guests here "Under the Steeple." Most often I don't know who they are or why they surfed in. This much I know for sure, God is ordering all things. This means it is not simply by chance that you are reading these words.

One of my goals in this blog is to share the message and truth of God's grace in Christ Jesus. That is what has transformed my life. God in his providence led me and drew me to see the truth. It is an awesome mystery.

Facing Death

My friend Mike Ervin has posted some comments on his blog about the last conversation he had with his grandfather. Several days later he stood to preach his grandpa's funeral. Ironically the last time I visited with Mike (week before last) I had travelled to WV to preach my great aunt's funeral.

At some point we will all face death. I commend to you Mike's comments. Well said Brother.

Irish Eyes a Smiling

I have added a new link (left column) that you should visit. It is the new blog of my friends who are missionaries to Ireland, Scott & LeAnn Bandy.

Here's a picture (borrowed from their page). Click on the picture to see a full sized version, the details are amazing.

The Lord is at work in Ireland. Praise His name!