Looks like after about 5 years Jason, Laren, and Bobby might finally see some results. There’s a bill that just hit the floor that may see the US taking action to remove Joseph Koney from power in Africa. You can view the full proposal (pdf) or check out Invisible Children’s announcement.
July 15th, 2009
I’m back.
Two days ago I arrived back in the States from my two-month long journey through India. So far I’ve eaten tons of beef, enjoyed sleeping on a mattress, realized I’m so used to cold showers that I can’t take hot ones anymore, caught up on some music (Taking Back Sunday, Coldplay, Derek Webb, Killswitch Engage, Mewithoutyou) and enjoyed some time with my family and Valine.
And now it’s time to re-enter the blogging world. So for I’m working on posts about the obvious like India and missions as well as posts about Calvinism (that’ll rake in some interest I’m sure), and TV/Entertainment… so I’m hoping to make up for lost time in the next couple weeks between Warped tour and taking Valine to see Copeland for her 21st.
It’s good to be back.
by Micah Taylor | Posted in Ramblings | No Comments » |
May 13th, 2009
Furtick sticks foot in mouth… yet again
This is ironic: a “pastor” blogging slanderously about slanderous bloggers.
April 22nd, 2009
Correct… but also encourage
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, and there’s a reason. Mom used to say, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” So I’ve kept silent. I was reading through Acts and noticed the irrefutable call to encourage my brothers in Christ (Acts 13:15, 15:31-32, 18:27, and 20:2, just to name a few). Honestly, I haven’t had much nice to say lately.
I stand by this; there is a place to call out and correct our brothers and sisters, especially in their practice of leadership. Paul spent a lot of time in the New Testament doing this. But he also spent a lot of time encouraging, and being encouraged.
And so, I have decided to focus less on the things I find wrong here or there, though there will be times when the Emergent Church grinds me down again and I am forced to say something. There are plenty of other blogs doing that, and doing it better than me.
April 7th, 2009
Grace, mercy, and peace.
The greeting of every letter attributed to Paul holds the phrase “grace and peace” (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, and so on…). But in 1 and 2 Timothy, a letter addressed to, and heavily referenced for, church leaders, Paul signs his greeting by wishing “grace, mercy, and peace” (1 Tim. 1:2, 2 Tim. 1:2).
Mercy is defined as:
compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence.
I find it very interesting that mercy was added to the book about leadership. Paul later references the mercy shown to him by God (1 Tim. 1:13). Paul understands that teachers need mercy. They ar responsible for delivering and proclaiming the word of God. That doesn’t mean they always do a good job. Teachers carry a great amount of responsibility, so much that Paul recognizes their frequent need to not only be shown grace, the forgiveness of sin, but also mercy, the continued forbearance from the Father.
The dangerous side of this is that often teachers, preachers, pastors, forget that they are not Jesus. I wince every time I hear a pastor say, even ones I really like, “we are unapoligetic about what we do.” Those are big words. I think all teachers should be constantly growing in their knowledge of the truth, and to say one would be forever unapologetic would also mean they will forever believe as they do. It seems to stifle growth. Should a preacher be confident in what he preaches? Yes. But often I feel pastors communicate they have already achieved the full knowledge of Christ. Let’s be confident in our proclaiming the gospel of Christ, not cocky in our approach to teaching. We are in constant need of mercy.
by Micah Taylor | Posted in Christianity, Personal Reflections, Ramblings, The Church | No Comments » | Tags: leadership, teaching
April 4th, 2009
The appearence of evil and living above reproach…
I found this line in a recent blog by Pastor Perry Noble:
BTW…why is it that many of the reformed guys are complete @$$holes
Wow. Why doesn’t he just go ahead and say it?
Well, at least he’s abstaining from the appearance of evil…
by Micah Taylor | Posted in Christianity, Personal Reflections, Ramblings, The Church | 1 Comment » | Tags: Newspring, obscenity, pastors
March 30th, 2009
This week’s schedule for theMicahTaylorsite
I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about the Luke 10 reflections. The traffic on my blog has more than tripled the last few days. So I want to deliver more of what you want.
I have added my room mate, Mac South, as an author for this site. He spent the week in Washington DC doing the same thing I was doing in Philly. Later today (Monday) his journal entries from day 1 will go up right here.
Tuesday I’ll post my experiences from Day 3 in Philly
Wednesday and Thursday we’ll hear more from Mac about DC.
Friday my blog for Day 4 in Philly will be ready.
And that’s just the Luke 10 stuff. Looks like a busy week, so check back every day! And don’t hesitate to leave your comments. I’d love to hear what you have to say!
by Micah Taylor | Posted in Ramblings | 1 Comment » |
March 24th, 2009
Appropriate discipline for “hood-rat stuff”
After laughing at the idiocy of this situation… wonder how in the world “no video games for a weekend” is an appropriate punishment.
What’s the world coming to?
March 11th, 2009
The willing are not always the called
Pastor Perry Noble addresses discernment of people who are “called” to do something.
“We used to have a philosophy, “If you want to start a ministry, go for it–we will support you!”
THAT was one of the dumbest things we ever said!!!
Just because some people have a HEART for ministry doesn’t mean they have the calling for it!
“But they love to (FILL IN THE BLANK…sing, teach, etc.).” I am sure they love to…but passion for something doesn’t always equal calling.”
These words ring very true and I seem to discover this a little more every day in dealing with people who feel “called” to do certain things. Many times people have a vision and are willing to work hard to accomplish that vision. But often the willing are really emational seekers who just want to be involved in something or be in charge of something. Just because a person thinks they should do something doesn’t mean leaders should give them free reign. 90% of revelutionary ideas are bad ones.
February 5th, 2009
Moving in.
So I’m adjusting to the new blog here on my own domain name. It’s nice. I’ve also had the opportunity to sift through all my entries and I have reposted the highlights of my blogging from the past year and a half. You can still view my old blog in it’s entirety. But this will be my new base of operations, so retune yourself here. Thanks guys!
by Micah Taylor | Posted in Ramblings | No Comments » |