tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112217792012-01-28T15:45:44.460-06:00Pastor TaylorPastor Taylor...where I muse and muddle, preach and proclaim, post and portend.Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.comBlogger3181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-78554592103248769222012-01-28T12:41:00.000-06:002012-01-28T13:03:07.810-06:00My Post Secret
Post Secret
Allow me to write as the bastard child of '69. My parents spent a few weeks at the beach in March of that year; smoking dope, drinking beer, and sleeping in the car. My mother came home carrying the newest member of the family; although that would be news to her and her parents soon enough.
In those years in small town south Alabama unmarried mothers dared not to show their TPMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12392698294048248407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-61671436004058572772012-01-21T11:28:00.000-06:002012-01-21T11:28:11.270-06:00Favorite ResourcesTwo of my favorite online resources are Christian Classics Ethereal Library and Precept Austin. These two alone can provide more good reading than most of us will ever do. I also enjoy Bible Gateway for easy access to various translations.
Gone are the days when a pastor needed a vast personal library. Today all a pastor needs is a good internet connection. Although gathering good books is stillTPMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12392698294048248407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-10757479725952302412012-01-16T13:21:00.000-06:002012-01-16T13:21:13.348-06:00Dibs on the Gibbs: Walking in ObedienceJulia and I worked together for a couple of years. I still keep up with her and her family through the magic of social media. Everyone has a story to tell and Julia is living out a good one. For example, take this:Dibs on the Gibbs: Walking in Obedience: On October 1 st 2010, after months of discussion and prayers spoken over the word, we said Yes to the Lord. Yes, to His calling for...TPMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12392698294048248407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-49657265394441354832012-01-16T13:12:00.000-06:002012-01-16T13:12:08.064-06:00John 3:16In case you missed it, here is the video that ran during the NFL playoff game last Saturday. Denver lost but I have a feeling that a few million people were captivated by this message.TPMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12392698294048248407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-66272805764475629652012-01-06T17:14:00.000-06:002012-01-06T17:14:17.730-06:00Economics: You're Doing It WrongI thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece on our current economic dilemma. If you have about twenty minutes give it a go.Dwight R. Lee, Reducing Real Output by Increasing Federal Spending | Library of Economics and LibertyTPMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12392698294048248407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-53353455664983434302011-11-06T16:03:00.000-06:002011-11-06T16:03:25.592-06:00Morning View
A nice, crisp southern morning; makes my heart thankful. This is my morning coffee/prayer time view.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-71548820014514476782011-11-03T07:14:00.000-05:002011-11-03T07:14:14.037-05:00PLEASE
I've never been a people-pleaser. I came wired that way from the factory (sorry mom). All my life I've tried to do what I thought was best with very little consideration for the approval of others. As a teen, peer pressure was a concept to me, not a reality. So what if everyone else was doing it? It wasn't important to me. Such perception is a strength as well as a weakness.
The weakness Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-35691768477797177602011-10-14T18:20:00.002-05:002011-10-14T18:20:47.286-05:00Remembering Rocky Block
Three seconds after this my daughter became a life long Crimson Tide fan.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-57469496651612921642011-10-11T19:56:00.001-05:002011-10-11T21:05:54.240-05:00Bruton Parish Church
I believe in Jefus Chrift.
Inside the Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA. The church was founded in 1674, some 39 years after my family arrived in Virginia. Did they ever attend this church? I have no proof, but at the time there was only one church to attend if someone was so inclined, so it's quiet possible.
Michelle and I walked the grounds of this church as if they were holy. We Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-70942847816055002742011-09-24T10:23:00.000-05:002011-09-26T20:43:20.547-05:00Southern Baptist Want to UnSouthern
My denomination is considering a name change. We have been the Southern Baptist Convention since 1845. But rumblings of discontent over the name have been felt for years. As of today I am not in favor of changing the name. Maybe someone can give me a good reason to in the future? But for now I offer these thoughts:
1. When did "southern" become so important? The word "southern" is the least of Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-28177435395628640862011-09-23T15:11:00.000-05:002011-09-23T15:59:53.502-05:00Five Signs of Dysfunctional Transitions
Pastors change churches often. Sometimes for good reasons, sometimes not. Too often deception is involved. Below are some of my favorite examples:
1. The Secret Search. By this I mean the minster actively
pursues a new place of ministry. Maybe he has good reasons for doing so, but he
keeps it secret, even from other staff and church leaders. In a worst case
scenario no one knows until Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-12786464577962313012011-09-23T14:36:00.001-05:002011-09-23T14:36:52.194-05:00Alabama vs Arkansas Prediction
Let me start this post with a
Roll Tide! I love college football. The Tide hosts the Hogs this week. Lots of
people, by that I mean people who keep up with things like this, think the game
will be close. Most bloggers come down on the side of a Bama win with a late
score. That may turn out to be correct, but my hunch is that this game will not
be close.
Of course anything can happen,Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-30076786749791885942011-09-16T16:21:00.000-05:002011-09-16T16:21:45.909-05:00Southern Baptist Staffing
Southern Baptist Staffing aka Stealing
In the spirit of full disclosure I should say I’ve served as
a pastor of four Southern Baptist Churches in three states over the last
seventeen years. For the last seven years I’ve been bivocational. My other “job”
is in Human Resources at a community mental health center with over three
hundred employees in five counties. I offer a unique Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-64935027221148494112011-09-12T19:57:00.002-05:002011-09-16T14:52:14.015-05:00Multitasking
Having raised three teens in the last decade I can speak with assurance that most young people believe they are good multitaskers. They will tell you they can listen to music, do a little social networking, and do homework while talking on the phone. Actually, they claim they can do more than my simple list :-)
The research just doesn't back it up. The brain requires a singular focus for Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-73587752651919877332011-09-12T19:43:00.001-05:002011-09-12T19:44:48.491-05:00Technology and LearningPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-82741768943520623472011-09-12T19:34:00.000-05:002011-09-12T19:35:30.872-05:00Critics Are Our Friends
I use my
Google Reader to keep up with blogs like Christian Nightmares and Stuff Fundies
Like. Sometimes I wonder why. At times it’s like watching someone make fun of
your family for the way they celebrate a birthday or what they do at Christmas.
At other times the sites are spot on about twisted theology and terribly
misguided attempts at Christian faithfulness. Either way, I keep Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-47682643975682084552011-09-09T14:59:00.000-05:002011-09-09T22:50:17.610-05:00Grace Greater Than All Our Sin
Under pressure there are not many limits to what we are capable of doing. I kept thinking about this while meditating on Mark 14 today. In that chapter the chosen one, Peter, affirms in the strongest possible language that he would never deny Jesus. “Even if I have to die I will not deny you.” Those are the words of a fanatic. They are also words of the foolish. Jesus said as much when Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-29388703311063593542011-09-06T20:35:00.000-05:002011-09-06T20:35:20.094-05:00Reflections On 9.11
Like everyone else who cares, I've had ten years to reflect on 9.11.01. I was sitting at my desk at the church office when the first call came in from Mrs. Ruth Steen, "The Twin Towers have been attacked." She said it in a matter of fact tone like she knew I would need to know. At that point neither tower had fallen, but Ruth lived through Pearl Harbor and always seemed to know when something Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-47142073027716510352011-09-06T19:10:00.001-05:002011-09-06T19:10:39.425-05:00How To Give An Effective Speech
To give full disclosure here, I've practices public speaking for at least twenty-eight years. My first "real" speech was a sermon in front of a packed Baptist church when I was fourteen. Since that time I've spoken to thousands of groups in churches, schools, jails, prisons, civic groups, and who knows how many others. I learned a lot by trial and error...lots of error. I've studied the art of Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-6663631453808164812011-07-19T22:36:00.002-05:002011-07-19T22:36:32.459-05:00Welcome to the New NCAABest advice for big football schools I've read.
4. Once a week bring all of the football players into a big room and tell them the following: "Yes, the rules are stupid and the system is not fair. I got that. But until the rules are changed you have an important decision to make. You can't take free stuff or swap something we gave you for stuff. If you take stuff and somebody finds out -- Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-27354575719813430142011-07-19T22:35:00.000-05:002011-07-19T22:35:25.712-05:00Really?Alabama at Penn State: I think this game is the biggest non-conference game for the B1G in 2011. Last year in Tuscaloosa, Penn State hung tough with Alabama for three quarters, and but for some untimely turnovers, played a winnable game. Their defense was good, and freshman Robert Bolden moved the ball well, but threw back-breaking interceptions deep in Alabama territory three times, Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-34112246532341649972011-06-28T21:01:00.000-05:002011-06-28T21:01:09.079-05:00Happy Tuesday EveningI really would like to blog more. Really. But the facts are simple: I work forty hours a week and pastor a church. Sometimes the best I can do in a week is to update my facebook status and send a few tweets. At least the tweets are in the sidebar of the blog. My shared news is there too, so you can see what I'm reading. It's eclectic.
We just got back from vacation last Sunday. I took the familyPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-62007223956099773632011-06-07T13:24:00.000-05:002011-09-06T20:36:54.574-05:00A View from Mt. Perspective
A View from Mt. Perspective: " by Michael Catt
For the last thirteen years, we’ve been blessed to own a piece of property in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. After my father died and we were settling his estate, we had a small amount of money to put toward a down payment on a log house outside of Gatlinburg. Terri and I had prayed for twenty years to be able to one day own a place in the mountains (maybe Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-87392089600327808972011-06-07T08:48:00.001-05:002011-09-06T20:38:34.958-05:00Pastor Weiner.
Pastor Weiner. by Todd Rhodes
Truth.
Can we talk?
Because I fear that we have a lot of Pastor Weiners out there.
Nearly everyone I’ve talked to has met a Pastor Weiner at one point or another in their life. I’ve had a couple as bosses.
Here are the characteristics of a Pastor Weiner:
1. They many times have a strong conviction about Biblical truth, but are not able to always tell the Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-6424305428829623242011-06-07T08:46:00.001-05:002011-06-14T21:17:38.511-05:00Getting DryGetting Dry: "
Here is a look at the latest Drought Monitor for Alabama…
The far southern part of the state, from Mobile to Dothan, is dealing with an “extreme drought”… while North Alabama is just “abnormally dry” at this point.
There has been no measurable rain during the month of June (based on data from Birmingham); our last measurable rain was on May 26, and then the total was only 0.14″Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-71636430024313094562011-06-06T17:03:00.000-05:002011-06-06T17:03:00.127-05:00Another Preacher StoryPreaching – Part 1: "Dr. David L. Allen is Professor of Preaching, occupying the George W. Truett Chair of Ministry, Director of the Center for Expository Preaching, and Dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.From 1968 to 1974, under the superb expository preaching of the then unknown Jerry Vines, no less than three dozen men and women were called by God to Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-59225525325080933742011-06-01T13:42:00.000-05:002011-06-01T13:42:36.461-05:00What to Do with Aunt Julie | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical ConvictionWhat to Do with Aunt Julie | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical ConvictionPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-42305372757028653622011-05-03T07:16:00.002-05:002011-05-03T07:16:36.086-05:00Mother's DayPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-31181666831918147932011-04-30T12:23:00.002-05:002011-04-30T12:39:30.685-05:00"Praise You in the Storm" Tuscaloosa Tornado by Shari Gilbert
My family lives south of the destruction. We are fine. A Day of Prayer has been proclaimed by the governor for this Sunday. Alabama Baptist are also collecting an offering to be used in disaster relief. All Baptist disaster relief teams have been deployed. If you check the "My Shared Stuff" section you can find lots of local news stories.
As I posted on Facebook, "This is Alabama. We pull Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-9223965256787279052011-04-11T17:25:00.000-05:002011-04-11T17:25:06.077-05:00Google ExodusPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-78876916778470682232011-04-07T07:17:00.002-05:002011-04-07T07:17:46.215-05:00Found In A Quaker ChurchPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-75435074832506468252011-03-31T21:21:00.001-05:002011-03-31T21:22:42.981-05:00Catfish FeedingLast summer we had a severe drought in my area. The pond was seven to eight feet below normal, which didn't leave much for the fish. To be frank, most of the pond was gone. About a foot of water covered a small portion of the bottom. Wish I had a picture to show you. Anyway, there were a couple of holes about three and half feet deep. I know because I measured them with a pvc pole.
Somehow, a Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-86483477583153771822011-03-28T07:17:00.000-05:002011-03-28T07:17:21.887-05:00StormsHere is a local news link of some of the damage from yesterday's thunderstorms that rolled through the area.
My wife and I drove to church over an hour after the storm and could see ice on the ground like snow. We didn't take pictures, but I'm glad someone did.Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-66702636648195500752011-03-21T10:04:00.000-05:002011-03-21T10:04:08.892-05:00Eagle CamYou must check out the Eagle Cam. Live shots of Eagles raising three little ones. The site also has archived video of this year's events. Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-70182805561192076472011-03-19T20:51:00.002-05:002011-03-19T21:22:34.408-05:00Supermoon
I took this tonight with a Nikon D40.Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-56791430310337377672011-03-18T21:15:00.001-05:002011-03-18T21:24:42.880-05:00Payton Malloy's Letter
The following article and letter were posted today by Rickey Stokes. I add them here because I do not want to lose them to "link rot."
All of the events described here happened within an hour of my home. It is a tragedy of the highest order. However, faith makes an appearance and that makes all the difference. I think you will see what I mean.
Payton Malloy's Letter About Her Dad, Col. Greg Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-75329061489076642732011-03-17T22:36:00.000-05:002011-03-17T22:36:40.470-05:00Things I Prayed for Eli -Lyrics In Description-Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-2470392757258276482011-03-17T15:13:00.000-05:002011-03-17T15:13:39.972-05:00Funniest Leadership Speech ever!Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-66256783914782099662011-03-10T22:03:00.001-06:002011-03-10T22:05:51.560-06:00Rich Mullins - Step By Step (Sometimes By Step) - LiveThis song took on new meaning for me in the days following the death of my mother. I still can't put it all in words. Hearing Rich talk about the song, and God, helps me understand why.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-76278860485931632772011-03-10T21:39:00.003-06:002011-03-10T21:48:08.812-06:00Rich Mullins - CreedOriginal Video
In Honor of Rich
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-66908109979411523352011-03-09T16:49:00.001-06:002011-03-10T06:42:18.295-06:00Verbal Judo: Diffusing Conflict Through ConversationPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-13320466444981639702011-03-07T21:59:00.001-06:002011-03-07T22:00:10.344-06:00Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That MountainPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-13652754511611391192011-03-07T21:34:00.002-06:002011-03-07T21:35:28.863-06:00WHITE HEART Once and for AllPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-52385255493999718052011-03-07T21:14:00.002-06:002011-03-07T22:04:23.121-06:00Martina McBride - BlessedI had just parked the church van, back in 2000, when this song came on the radio. The van didn't have a CD or tape player, and since I was riding alone I turned on the radio. This song came on and I sat there listening, allowing the words to be my prayer of thanksgiving. I have been blessed. My wife and children and all the joys we've shared are among the best of this world's blessings.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-23014138849217612022011-03-06T14:17:00.002-06:002011-03-06T14:20:56.372-06:00Degarmo & Key - Teenage SuicideI purchased this tape (!) the week it came out. It was a two for one deal. For $9.99 you got two copies of the exact same tape/album. One was to keep and the other was to give away. I'm pretty sure this song was one of the main reasons to give away a copy. I heard this live at Atlanta Fest the next summer. Great song, great band.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-83433196354502248342011-03-06T14:06:00.001-06:002011-03-06T14:09:03.370-06:00Our Terra FirmaMy outline this morning was:
1. How we share.
2. How we settle.
3. How we steward.
The text was Mark 4:21-25. I took liberties with the use of the English language in order to fit my needs. My larger point was that Jesus claims Lordship in the lives of His followers. While that is not an earthmoving revelation to people who take faith seriously, the application of Lordship can reshape our TerraPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-69648161469315806712011-03-05T21:07:00.000-06:002011-03-05T21:07:35.751-06:00Gaither Vocal Band - Alpha and OmegaPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-39253532638875202232011-03-05T17:58:00.000-06:002011-03-05T17:58:10.916-06:00Mylon LefevrePastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-62246373901645674212011-03-05T17:36:00.000-06:002011-03-05T17:36:00.484-06:00Steve Taylor - Jim Morrison's GravePastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-1114070854547326362011-02-15T07:10:00.000-06:002011-02-15T07:10:38.108-06:00The Wife SongPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-54321967407814760802011-01-29T15:15:00.001-06:002011-01-29T15:19:59.705-06:00God Winks, Theology of ThereI found God Winks by SQuire Rushnell, from a post by Joe McKeever. I highly recommend both people. This video is another great example of how God prepares and places us right where we need to be and exactly when we need to be there. It's the theology of "there."
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-38157363074307322022011-01-25T16:53:00.000-06:002011-01-25T16:53:29.559-06:00How to Deploy the Amazing Power of the Teen Brain - US News and World ReportHow to Deploy the Amazing Power of the Teen Brain - US News and World ReportPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-83740514805966057962011-01-24T18:46:00.000-06:002011-01-24T18:46:38.494-06:00Anybody Listening?Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-59704961868868335932011-01-01T20:13:00.000-06:002011-01-01T20:13:19.220-06:00Happy New Year from the PastorOne sign you are getting older is you stop marking time by days of the week or seasons. Bills, the kind you get from the power company or mortgage holder, teach us to measure time by the month. The birthdays of your children and wedding anniversaries push us toward annual observances. Before long "living for the weekend" is a fond memory similar to when you believed in Santa Clause or the Tooth Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-11485649892311950632010-12-18T11:12:00.004-06:002010-12-18T11:22:46.946-06:00iBand Christmas = WinPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-15322905224466387282010-12-18T11:08:00.002-06:002010-12-18T11:08:38.438-06:00Facebook in Jesus' DayPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-8983894565697933982010-12-12T08:43:00.000-06:002010-12-12T08:43:06.017-06:00Jacob's LadderPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-77351476828956902502010-11-19T13:06:00.000-06:002010-11-19T13:06:39.465-06:0010 Commandments of Scripture Interpretation | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry LeadersCame upon this today. Great read.10 Commandments of Scripture Interpretation | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry LeadersPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-3903876425378262792010-10-19T22:10:00.000-05:002010-10-19T22:10:01.830-05:00Tuesday Night WisdomSome things should just be simply said...
You will always have what you need to do what God calls you to do. Period.
Where God leads God provides.
Sometimes your choices are between one good opportunity or many good opportunities.
The older I get the more I value the wisdom of my elders.
The older I get the more I am convinced of God's lavish love toward those who do not believe.
UnexpectedPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-29055189453552415902010-10-05T20:12:00.000-05:002010-10-05T20:12:18.393-05:00Enjoying Some Alabama FootballPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-52398807261993334462010-09-17T19:24:00.000-05:002010-09-17T19:24:02.884-05:00Busy Is My NormalIt wasn't that long ago that I blogged about how I managed my time as a bivocational pastor. It wasn't in great detail, but I do think I got the point across. Well, lately I've taken it up a notch. I've been called up to the big leagues with my "day job" and the time crunch has increased.
Of course this cuts into my blogging. But what can I say? As important as writing/blogging are to me there Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-32327887669186420432010-08-30T19:25:00.002-05:002010-08-30T19:25:35.230-05:00Psalm 23I love BluefishTV.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-5287378835054642582010-08-28T09:48:00.003-05:002010-08-28T09:48:44.494-05:00A Man Fell In A HolePastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-78397548021060937422010-08-26T14:42:00.000-05:002010-08-26T14:42:53.650-05:00The Days of Plenty?Unemployment in Alabama is a frog hair lower than 10% ("Frog hair" means "just a little bit" for you folks not from around here). Mortgage companies are reporting 10% of home owners are in danger of foreclosure because they missed at least one payment. Bankruptcy rates are up 20% in the last year. Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee are among the top four states in new bankruptcy filings (Utah is thePastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-46359532449630854692010-08-24T11:12:00.000-05:002010-08-24T11:12:02.047-05:00Anxiety and Letting GoLetting go. For me it's the key to anxiety. The more I try to hold on to things the more anxious I become. The more I let go the more I am free to trust God, and anxiety is replaced with peace.
We live in a grab all you can world. When your hands, head, and heart are full of the trinkets this world hawks it's impossible to receive the gifts God offers. I realize I'm using generalities. Let me Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-25741743409409276412010-08-09T13:44:00.000-05:002010-08-09T13:44:25.734-05:00What To Do With MondaysI'm not one of those pastors who takes Mondays off. Never have been. I tried it back in my "full-time" days, but all I ever got out of it was anxiety, that nagging feeling that I was behind for the week.
Monday is the day I get organized. I make sure my preaching outlines/sermons/studies are ready to go. Most weeks I do at least three new ones. I make sure the staff I serve with knows what I'm Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-24383482151824550592010-08-06T16:28:00.000-05:002010-08-06T16:28:10.874-05:00Lightning Strikes ChurchLast Wednesday night as we were gathering for a meal before our prayer and Bible study service we noticed something strange. The light fixture in one of the men's restrooms had been broken. The caps that held the cover over the lights were still on, but the glass was shattered all over the counter and floor.
My only suggestion for the situation was that maybe lightning had run into the building.Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-48155789858436760242010-08-06T10:01:00.002-05:002010-08-06T10:04:27.113-05:00The Law is a PainYou should see what happens, from my vantage point, when I announce in church that the topic for the day will somehow relate to The Law. Jaws drop. Eyes roll. Someone starts to text, probably to find out what the sermon is over at the Methodist church.
Whenever a sermon or Bible study is centered around the Ten Commandments or most anything from Leviticus, Numbers, or Deuteronomy I run the risk Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-36350490853122254772010-07-30T08:42:00.000-05:002010-07-30T08:42:41.612-05:00About Saul And SuchI'm eleven chapters into 1 Samuel. Here are some of my impressions so far:
~ Saul left home looking for donkeys and came home a King.
~ Before Saul was as great leader he was a great son.
~ "Is the seer here?" is one of my favorite lines in all of the Bible.
~ The King (Monarchy) was a substitute for the Source (Theocracy).
~ God warned the people of all the King would take from them.
~ God Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-6932689217439062662010-07-29T20:23:00.000-05:002010-07-29T20:23:41.062-05:00VacationToday was Day 1 of my late summer vacation. On facebook I see where my friends are doing things like going to the beach, taking a cruise, missiontating in Guatemala or Guadalajara or something like that. And while I applaud their efforts to rejuvenate and reinvigorate or whatever "ate" they are after, I spent the day like this:
~ Meandered out of bed and to the back porch for morning coffee Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-49660066082499030882010-07-27T22:17:00.001-05:002010-07-27T22:18:56.828-05:00I Found Myself On YouTubeSo I'm watching some Alabama YouTube videos and come across a "Rocky Block" post. Of course I want to watch it because I WAS THERE. The first thing I notice is the perspective is similar to our seats in the stadium. Then I hear this distinctive yell. That would be the guy sitting behind us. Everyone around us knew his voice. And wouldn't you know it, at about the 1:30 mark you can see my family, Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-52789066914914826012010-07-27T11:01:00.001-05:002010-07-27T14:16:25.459-05:00Leonard SweetLen Sweet is one of my favorite authors. Here is his video from The Nines last year. It's worth a few minutes of your day.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-43284124840494105282010-07-25T09:05:00.000-05:002010-07-25T09:05:28.926-05:00Impressions...These are the impressions I took away from the Brotherhood Breakfast meeting this morning. They will/should be edited in the future. Here is the raw data:
What if our prayers for awakening/revival are being answered with a purification of the church?
What if the cultural shift away from church participation leaves us with the people who really want to be there?
What if God is allowing Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-7266589015413384922010-07-24T16:05:00.001-05:002010-07-24T16:08:46.788-05:00Telugu Translation
My blog can now be read in Telugu. I love this feature from Blogger because I've been partnering with Telugu pastors in central India since 2003. Regular readers of this blog and Facebook friends already know this. Please remember that any comment you post here can be read by pastors and others in India.
India is a country of contrasts. In Sircilla, my Indian home, broadband internet is Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-25820296587118151902010-07-12T19:14:00.003-05:002010-07-13T14:22:45.255-05:00I Am Crucified With Christ
In Christ. I use those two words when closing any written correspondence with the church. It's my mystical tendency. My left brained, seminary trained, brethren can explain salvation with surgical precision. I prefer the cloudy language of the poets and prophets. God's grace is always better experienced than explained. "In Christ" sums up, in something of a cloudy way, what it means to be a Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-65952823503434649872010-07-06T21:57:00.001-05:002010-07-06T22:01:44.489-05:00Merchandise, Mammon, or ManipulationThe old joke is that pastors only work on Sunday and Wednesday. I never liked that joke. Anyone who believes it probably hasn't been to church enough to know where we store the Christmas decorations or the Lord's supper bread (not the same place even if it tastes so). It's Tuesday night and I'm working away. On what? I'm glad you asked...
I'm researching my way through current deviations of the Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-75782104999386846192010-07-02T11:05:00.000-05:002010-07-02T11:05:53.957-05:00If There Is No HellI like Joe McKeever. He's the Babe Ruth of preachers in my book. When he gets on a roll he can hit nearly any pitch out of the park. His recent article on the reality of hell is a prime example. I suggest you read it...carefully.
McKeever provides Ten Responses to anyone who says they don't believe in hell. His explanations are thoughtful and targeted. I don't have much to add. It's like Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-6167080938986214322010-06-26T09:50:00.001-05:002010-06-26T09:52:37.936-05:00Everyone Did What Was Right In His Own Eyes
I started reading the book of Judges yesterday. I know, some of you think my life is way below average :-) But the truth is I have this question simmering around in my mind. I want more insight into how God handles nations. It has been said that God judges nations in the present tense. It makes sense. Nations will not stand before God in the final judgment, only people. So nations are blessed orPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-30253769130316222562010-06-22T15:39:00.008-05:002010-06-22T16:09:27.773-05:00Cowardice Leads to Contempt
Today I am considering the words of great pastor/preacher Charles Spurgeon. What he wrote of his day seems doubly so for mine.
Our cowardice has subjected the gospel to contempt. Jesus was humble, and his servants must not be proud, but Jesus was never mean or cowardly, nor must his servants be. There was no braver man than Christ. He could stoop to save a soul, but he would stoop to nothingPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-91307730417824041512010-06-19T17:19:00.002-05:002010-06-19T17:44:08.938-05:00The Band PerryToday I heard an interview with the three Perry siblings from south Alabama. I promptly went home and found this video. Substance makes a song for me. I'll take substance over style any day, but when the two come together in just the right way it can resonate with my soul. "If I Die Young" has got the subject matter, the southern sound, and just enough theology to make me tip my hat to the Perry Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-44156467855157679142010-06-18T00:17:00.000-05:002010-06-18T00:17:11.597-05:00Peruvian Daffodil
These were given to me by my friend James. He called them spider lilies. I counseled with some older folks and they called them swamp lilies. Eventually I found a picture, similar to this one, on a box of bulbs in Wal-mart. Yes, I guess you can learn something new everyday in almost any place. So here you have it, my Peruvian Daffodils. Swanky :-)
They bloom every June for about three weeks. Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-78761560166354432862010-06-17T10:33:00.002-05:002010-06-17T10:44:26.445-05:00New Covenant Living
The New Covenant was the topic of last night’s Bible study at church. The text was 2 Corinthians chapter three. I told the group, “Would you prefer a picture or a person, a book or a brother, a description or a dad?” Of course the answer is we always prefer the real thing over the copy.
I have pictures of my wife on my desk, but I always prefer her presence to her picture. You can write me a Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-71973031847960393442010-06-09T13:44:00.001-05:002010-06-09T13:48:50.476-05:00Opportunity and CallAn opportunity is not the same thing as a call. I can't remember where I first heard that statement but I agree completely. Today I read an example in 2 Corinthians chapter 2 where Paul had an "open door" for ministry but was too troubled in spirit to stay in Troas. The opportunity was real but something called Paul away.
Have you been there? I have. Years ago I was serving as the Interim PastorPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-6788553605429643352010-06-04T17:05:00.001-05:002010-06-04T17:05:53.950-05:00"It Was Me"Stop me if you've heard this one. "Come, you who are blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For you prayed a prayer in Vacation Bible School when you were eight, you walked down the aisle at the Baptist church, you never missed Sunday School as long as you were living at home with your parents, you gave huge amounts of money to the church, andPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-58213382441965806252010-06-03T15:14:00.003-05:002010-06-03T15:26:08.683-05:00Missions GivingMissions giving is on my mind. If there is a good form of pride I have it. I am as proud as I can be of the missions giving of our church. I crunched the numbers and did a double take when I realized that we have budgeted 19.1% for missions. This includes our local benevolence, our associational giving, our cooperative program giving, and our India missions support. Never have I served a church Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-63962664307455907082010-06-01T15:49:00.003-05:002010-06-01T19:01:42.260-05:00More on GossipSo I'm struggling with this gossip thing. As you may have read in my previous post I understand gossip to be a statement that is TRUE but nonetheless reflects negatively on someone, is unknown to the listener, or is beyond my ability (or will) to correct.
This pretty much wipes out all 85% of my conversations. I mean, I told my coworker that we should try to limit our conversations to matters Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-91513958257214062912010-05-31T19:41:00.003-05:002010-05-31T19:43:03.864-05:00Honey Bee RemovalThis morning I found a swarm of honey bees on a tree in my back yard. A local bee keeper removed them this afternoon. I did, however, get a nice jar of honey as a finders fee.
Now, I generally try to stay away from bees and other stinging critters, so this was a little unsettling when Mr. Miller just walked right over to me with a box full of recently removed bees.
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-63261380394007916392010-05-30T19:18:00.002-05:002010-05-30T19:21:03.270-05:00Hey Ya'll, Did You Hear About Pastor Taylor?How do you know if something is gossip? Confusion abounds. Try to get two people to give you the same definition of gossip. It's near impossible.
In Christian circles we generally agree that gossip is bad and should be avoided. But what about "gossip" columns that serve as beneficial promotional mechanisms? People pay advertising dollars to appear in some columns. Gossip can be positive as the "Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-77616630496017549442010-05-27T20:50:00.002-05:002010-05-27T23:13:37.862-05:00Should A Christian Attend BamaJam?"Should a Christian attend BamaJam?" I find it hard to believe I'm still answering this kind of question. My war against legalism has no end. If you don't know about BamaJam click here. The local controversy is here.
The basic problem is that BamaJam creator, Ronnie Gilley, offered free tickets to all seniors in a nine county area. Two schools, to my knowledge, have declined the tickets. The Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-49374429405496012592010-05-27T07:41:00.006-05:002010-05-27T07:58:50.768-05:00If I Take One More StepOne of my favorite lines from the Lord of the Rings series is in the first movie. Near the beginning of their journey Sam begins to lag behind Frodo in the field, hesitating, "This is it. If I take one more step it'll be the fartherest away from home I've ever been."
Steps like that become routine in life. Awareness of the significance of the journey, however, is optional. Sometimes you get helpPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-46565469443333357792010-05-24T15:40:00.001-05:002010-05-25T18:20:36.910-05:00Overcoming Your ReputationTrue story. A hidden camera was found in the women's restroom of a local Mexican restaurant. Investigators know of at least two victims. The news was reported widely for a brief time in the rural county seat town in which I work. The crime was committed by an employee, not the owner, and as far as we know the incident was an isolated case.
Today, one week after the news broke, I drove by the Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-28465221539408555432010-05-23T08:55:00.000-05:002010-05-23T08:55:30.649-05:00Three Pennies and a Diamond RingA Gideon story out of Bibb County, AL...seems the school system there had not allowed the Gideons to distribute Bibles for some time. The practice had just changed and a Gideon was speaking in one of the local churches and informed the congregation they would be able to provide students with Bibles this year. An offering was collected and among the money was a church offering envelope containing Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-34803301609073074522010-05-19T10:51:00.000-05:002010-05-19T10:51:13.029-05:00Showers of BlessingJust got some wonderful news today. The Women's Missionary group from my church has decided to help my son Daniel as their mission project this month. He is moving to college this fall and has an apartment but is in need of a number of things to "set up shop" so to speak. They've asked for a list of all the things he thinks he might need. It sounds like they are throwing him a shower :-)
My wifePastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-44382136706150474882010-05-18T14:24:00.000-05:002010-05-18T14:24:29.087-05:00Man ShampooToday I had to go buy some man shampoo. That's right, I don't use that pink, purple, or polka dotted, glittery stuff. I use "product" (as my daughter would say) that looks manly. Give me something blue or brown or off white, even pearl-ish, so I don't feel like I've lost my man card.
I settled in on one of those shampoo and conditioner combos. This is one of the great inventions of modern times Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-62228984778575402992010-05-17T15:07:00.000-05:002010-05-17T15:07:24.182-05:00Top Ten Ways to Waste a Worship ServiceYes, I have witnessed all of these in some church somewhere, really.
10. Count the lights (tiles will do in a pinch).
9. Blow dust bunnies in some lady's hair one pew up.
8. Draw pictures on the bulletin.
7. Sleep.
6. Do homework.
5. Go to the "restroom."
4. Write/Pass notes.
3. Try out your new Kindle/Blackberry/iPhone.
2. Listen to your ipod/mp3 player.
1. Text your friends and/or Facebook.Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-42336122301429497742010-05-13T10:48:00.000-05:002010-05-13T10:48:48.972-05:00Ministry Price and LimitsInteresting read here about ministers who openly admit they are atheist or agnostics yet hold on to their church staff positions because they need the money or can’t think of anything else (better) to do. One guy, Baptist, said if someone would give him $200,000 he would leave the ministry immediately. This made me think, “Do I have a price?”
Maybe I can answer the question this way, if I had a Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-58856917879374995482010-05-11T08:59:00.000-05:002010-05-11T08:59:30.258-05:00Alaska VisitorsLast week some of Michelle's family from Alaska came down for a visit. We spent a nice evening cooking out and talking and generally catching up. Michelle took our youngest guest for an adventure through the garden and around the pond. They decided to take some of the red potatoes they dug up and make mashed potatoes. And yes, they were good :-)
Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-39493265581557668212010-05-10T14:50:00.000-05:002010-05-10T14:50:11.777-05:00Sunday MorningToday we break from the stream of homemade, unprofessional looking, Window's 7 type videos to bring you a very professional parody. Learn it well, or live it next Sunday.
"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-48736024590154248462010-05-09T18:28:00.001-05:002010-05-09T18:28:53.358-05:00Mother's Day Video CardPastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11221779.post-11809276712205716222010-05-09T18:19:00.000-05:002010-05-09T18:19:54.051-05:00New Plants
I purchased four new plants last week. One mandevilla and three gardenia plants. The mandevilla could grow to 20 or 30 feet in length. I placed it along a vinyl fence around the back porch. Each gardenia was placed near an entryway to the house. I want people to walk by them as they enter our home. If you are not familiar with them, the fragrance is stunning.
The mandevilla will be brought in Pastor Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329182871276092483noreply@blogger.com0