The Book Readers Guild: Orthodox Convictions of Ethereal Thinkers

"Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position" James 1:9. Over the years of walking with the Lord I have discovered a few things about myself. When I first began this journey I purposed in my heart to put my old ways behind me forever. As I journeyed on I discovered that wasn't as easy as I thought. I soon discovered that getting rid of the old behaviours was one thing while getting at the root driving them was quite another. Even Jesus proposed that cleaning the outside of the cup wasn't enough (Mt. 5:27-30). Like an onion, the Holy Spirit revealed to me over time layers of self that were in need of sanctification ... transformation of my thinking, attitude, and beliefs that did not mirror His was in order. However, I was unable to do it alone. I needed Holy Spirit intervention. What has kept me throughout this journey has been the mercy and faithfulness recorded in scriptures. In a paradoxical kind of way, or perhaps...

By Todd Gaddis (Followed by My Response) The average pastor in America is fifty-four years old , which is ten years older than what it was just 25 years ago. Yet, many pastors find themselves sitting by silent phones once they turn 50. This means an unknown number of average-aged preachers await phone calls that never come, while search committees look to fill pulpits with younger pastors. Should this change? I think it should. As a pastor now in my 50s, I’ve considered at least four reasons churches should call as pastors men in their 50s. We’re mature. Certainly after 27 years as a senior pastor I still have a lot to learn. But thank God I’m not what I used to be. My heart has softened and my skin thickened over the past three decades. I’m now more sensitive to the things that should bother me and get less frustrated concerning the things that shouldn’t . As a young pastor, I recall getting all wound up about denominational b...