HARMLESS THOUGHTS

  Luke 1:39–45 [39] In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (ESV)

  “It is the paradox of blessedness that it confers on a person at one and the same time the greatest joy in all the world and the greatest task in all the world.” ~William Barclay (Commentary on Luke)

Listen to this post:   If you want to spark a debate on Facebook, just mention Calvinism.  (At least in the circles that I operate in.) Actually, you don't even have to mention that word, just quote a passage of scripture that emphasizes God's sovereignty, or share a Pastor's quote that is emphasizing the doctrines of Grace... and soon to follow, the free-will police will arrive to point out all of the "whosoever's" in the Bible.  I get it. A God that is absolutely sovereign over the entire universe can be alarming to our American sensibilities. It is disconcerting for many, the first times they encounter these passages and contemplate, not their implications, but simply what the texts are actually saying. Of course, as I have embraced these passages, they have led me to some of the most humbling and deeply satisfying and peace saturating realizations in my life. But it isn't that way to everyone.  In this blog post, I would like to share with you two of t...

 Episode Number 14 - Sounding Political

31 years ago I went on a Halloween date with a girl... Through a series of unexplained (but providential) events... things like VW Beetles with holes in the floor, Ghost Rallies, scared best friends in haunted houses, break up tapes, get-back-together tapes, love notes, giant pumpkins, long-distance phone bills that made for angry parents, burned-out clutches, worm t-shirts, over-loaded moving vans, multiple faulty alternators, hospital trips, dragging mufflers, living-accommodations in stranger's basements, rat-houses, old houses, run over dogs that survive, short nights, crying babies, long work hours, more dragging mufflers, root-clogged drain pipes, more basement living, more crying babies, long-distance moves, wing-and-a-prayer bill paying, over-flowing septic tanks, fallen trees, used cars, faulty gas tanks, leaking radiators, more bad alternators, ice storms, no air-conditioning road trips to the beach, zero-dollar paychecks, paying $6.83 to sell your own home, moving van ro...

  Episode Number 13 of my Harmless Thoughts Podcast. In this podcast, I begin an exploration of our cultural realities by outlining an illustration that I used in my Sermon from this past Sunday. 

The Mortification of Sin is a book by the Puritan Pastor, John Owen. Since it is in the Public Domain, it is available for me to read in my podcast.  Here is Chapter 1: 

I've tried to stay out of the political arena, but this video is too good to pass up. Excellent, if you watch all the way through.  

Here is the first video for the third week of school. It will play in the virtual homerooms on Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd. I'm calling this "Episode Number Six" ... Not sure why.  Actually wondering when anyone will realize that there isn't an episode Number 3... hmm...  I'm really just hoping that my students enjoy these videos. I'm hoping that they read between the lines and realize... Mr. Harmless cares about them! Enjoy!

 Here is the second video for the second week of school. This homeroom video will play on Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th.  Enjoy!

I have been blogging for 17 years... as of Today! My first post was Sept. 10, 2003. 

 Here is episode 12 of my Harmless Thoughts Podcast: 

My son is currently writing and illustrating his own  graphic novel. He is currently doing his publishing  online. He didn't ask me to do this, but I just finished the 6th "episode" (he publishes a new episode every Wednesday) , and I can't help myself, it is really good an he has me hooked.  I would like to recommend it... you can view it here:  The Gardener (You didn't hear about it from me.)

I've decided to pick a political party.  (Ok... I created a political party.) My political platform will be coming soon... 

I think...  I'm not sure, but I think that someone should buy this for me. It is the  Lenovo Chromebook Duet .  Ok... I don't actually think that someone should buy this for me. I don't feel privileged or entitled to such a degree to think that I deserve this in any way. I'm obviously just joking. At the same time... If a rich person sees this and feels generous, I wouldn't say no.

I originally found this on Facebook on a post from a guy named Joe DiVietro . I wanted to share this entire quote, so I was looking for the source... Thankfully, a friendly neighborhood Facebook stranger helped me out and pointed me to the original source material, which you can find on the Grace To You website .  QUESTION: “Do you believe it’s biblical when some pastors in America are continuing to hold services even though the government instructs them not to?” From Rich. Yeah, let me make very clear this question because it keeps coming up. If the government told us not to meet because Christianity was against the law, if the government told us not to meet because we would be punished, fined for our religion and our religious convictions, we would have no option but to meet anyway. And that takes you to the fifth chapter of Acts where the leaders of Israel said to the apostles, “Stop preaching.” And Peter’s response was very simple. He said, “You judge whether we obey God or me...

What happened Saturday morning. It started with me… wrestling with the scriptures this week. (Actually, the last several weeks.) This Socially Distant preaching has been difficult, but now I have an opportunity to preach to people directly, and it feels just as difficult, mostly because I’ve been away! (Out of practice.) Saturday Morning... I had already studied, read the commentaries, wrestled some more… but Saturday morning, I still felt unsettled in my choice of what to preach on. I had gotten up and while I was sitting in my chair, sipping my coffee, I prayed and started this way, “Lord, I wish you would just tell me what to say. Cause I would say it. Seriously. If you just told me what to say, I would say it.” A little secret insight on me: Sometimes I will pray and instead of asking for something, I will say, "I wish."  I do this when there is something that I would like, but I don't believe I necessarily ought to be asking for it... but I still want to ask for it...

Here is another Children's Church Lesson for anyone who would like to see it and/or use it. This time it is the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. This video is made for the littles to watch... I also have some coloring book pages for them.  Here are the Coloring book pages. David and Goliath on Edgewood's Site . Images are all drawn by me and the script and narration is by my wife! Feel free to enjoy and share this with as many as you would like. 

Mostly for fun, I decided to try to make a lesson for the littles that attend our church. I chose the Feeding of the Five Thousand from John 6:1-15. Here is the video: Granted, this is my first attempt creating something like this. I really enjoyed making it, and I will definitely be improving on the next one that will be made. I feel like I need more animations and a few more slides to view. I also think that I need to "trim down" my talking. I used too many words for the littles.  You can also find some printable coloring pages here . 

I just finished reading Five Points: Toward a Deeper Experience of God's Grace by John Piper.   This was a great little book. I highly recommend it for those who are interested in the "Five Points of Calvinism" but aren't sure where to start. This book lays out those five points in a way that is understandable.  Piper also uses a good logical flow to his presentation, not to shove these five points down anyone's throat, but ultimately because it is what he believes brings the greatest display to the glories of God's immeasurable grace.  And that is what this is really about. Most that I've met that know a little bit about Calvinism, assume that a Calvinist is an arrogant know-it-all... and granted, there are some who have given us that reputation. But I can truly say, in my experience that the Calvinists that I've met and read have been the most humble of Bible Scholars, with each of them, in my opinion, approaching to the truths of God's Word, not...

I know it's been a while... but here is episode 11:

Today is day number 50 of my personal time of Social Distancing. I have found that staying on track and keeping busy on one task is one of my biggest challenges. One of the ways I handle this is to create a To-Do List... but I don't just make a list, that is too boring for these unprecedented times.  My To-Do List for the Week By the way... I hope I don't hear anyone else say, "...in these unprecedented times"! I also don't want to hear one more company, simply add that statement to the beginning of their normal logo...  "In these unprecedented times, we've got the meats!" "In these unprecedented times, I'm loving it!" "In these unprecedented times, you're still in good hands with Allstate." Ugh.

Our livestream from this morning... And here is the pre-recorded message:

Today is April 17th, 2020... and it is day 32 of Social Distancing for me and my family. Some prominent things to mention: I have tried to "social distance"...  I have only stepped foot into two different grocery stores, two different houses, and four other stores.  Watched all of the Taken Movies. Have created multiple tutorial videos for teachers and students.  Watched the Stephen King miniseries: The Stand. Was diagnosed with high blood pressure. (Right near the beginning, when we could still see doctors.) Started Blogging Again.  Bought mulch and spread it over landscaped areas around the house.  Watched all of the Hunger Games movies. Installed the electrical for a dryer and the plumbing for a washer... and hooked both up.  Re-Watched Stranger Things.  Bought a lawnmower... first time to ever own a new lawnmower! Read two books.  I have continued to read my Bible.  Had a family member survive the Virus. Been part of m...

Church at Edgewood was once again online. Here is the live stream portion of our service: (Originally through Facebook Livestreaming.) Here is the pre-recorded devotional: 

Here is the pre-recorded online devotional for April 5th, 2020.

Only a few hours left on April 1st.  Wish I had seen this earlier, I would have been posting it everywhere!

Edgewood Church online for March 29th, 2020.

I miss work. I am thinking about getting a part-time job. I think that I might actually be more productive at home if I have just a little bit of time where I am working. Plus, I like to be directed. I like having a job... A prescribed set of activities that I must be working on, and I must try to complete. I never thought of myself as one who worked good under pressure, but I really am. I believe that I didn't view myself that way, because it never really felt like "pressure".  I always interpreted "pressure" as a "challenge".  It is a "challenge" where I subconsciously think that most people are assuming I will fail. Please don't read too much into this. I don't actually spend any time thinking about this, not really. I am just thinking about it now. I wonder how everyone else is fairing? I'm just thankful that I have a job that is paid based on a salary. I feel so bad for those who are struggling without jobs right now....

Part 1 of the Devotional: Part 2 of the Devotional:

March 21, 2020... Day 5.  Wilson!

Friday, March 20, 2020: Day 4 of Social Distancing. We just got word a little while ago that the governor of Illinois was putting in the "Shelter in Place" order. Let's see how that goes.  A little concerned for all of our fellow Americans that are going to be affected by this, not just physically, with their health, but now financially... How is this all going to work out? Also recorded episode 10 of my podcast:

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020: Day 2 of Social Distancing I did somewhat better at social distancing today. Oh wait, I went to my parent's house... and ... um ... Big Lots. But other than that, no interactions... other than a second trip to the hardware store! My normal, day-to-day job is a disciplinary dean at a large high school. This is a busy job. In fact, I would say that it is the busiest that I've ever had. From the time that I arrive at work to the time that I leave to go home, something is happening. Either I'm doing paperwork, talking to students, talking to a teacher or administrator, talking to parents, either in-person or over the phone, or I am dealing with a problem situation. It is just a non-stop roller coaster ride of activity. I like this about that job. I like to stay busy. Idle time, for a diagnosed ADD person, is hardly ever productive. I love being directed by the flow of events throughout the day. I don't have to plan out my day and try...

Some Harmless Thoughts about the CoronaVirus...

Tuesday, March 17th, 2020:  Day 1 of Social Distancing I just finished my first day of Social distancing. I didn't know what "social distancing" was... but I believe (as an introvert) that I have been practicing this for a long time. I don't mind keeping my distance, especially in public places. In small gatherings, I don't mind it that much but have learned that if I practice too much social distancing in these situations that I can come across as rude... But now... with this behavior being practiced by everyone, I don't come across as rude, I come across as conscientious. Since this is a "journal" of sorts, what did I do today? I started off the day ... oh shoot ... I went out and I forgot until just now. I went to the doctor to get my blood drawn to check my cholesterol levels. Don't worry, I stayed away from everyone. I came home after that and ... oh shoot ... I went out again and forgot. I went to the hardware store to get some ...

Here is the online devotional for Edgewood Church for March the 15th.

Episode 04 is now available! In this episode, I give a personal Sermon Prep Thoughts and my Saturday Update. If you attend my church, this episode might be helpful as it contains some "reviewing" of the previous few sermons at church.   If you don't go to my church, but would like to listen to the actual sermons online, you can visit Edgewood Sermon Audio on Anchor.FM

Episode 03 is now available!

Here is the first episode of my new (personal) podcast. This first episode is titled: Saturday Depression.      If you listen to it, let me know: I would love to have some feedback. (I know that this first one is pretty lame, but I just wanted to start it and see where it goes.)

Stephen Um, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians , is speaking on reconciliation and equality within the church, gospel based and focused equality that flows from all that Christ has done for us. As he speaks on this topic, I believe that he makes a valid point when he is speaking on all that the Church ought to be: Given our cultural moment, a community like this would be incredibly compelling. It is no secret that we live in a climate where inequality is a growing problem. But the thing is, every proposed solution misses this crucial point. Conservatives typically say that charity or philanthropy is the answer, that individuals should share. Liberals, on the other hand more or less go the welfare route -- the state, with our tax dollars in hand, should share. Now both of these are true -- individuals and the state should share!  But both also miss something absolutely crucial (which is why both charity and welfare come off clunky and arrogant, even offensive when you think about...

"It is naive to think one can function with the simple formula: People have problems and the gospel resolves them. The fact is, the gospel generates in individual lives and in society a new set of problems. One has only to love impartially and hatred is threatened and stirred to violence. One has only to speak the truth and falsehood takes the stand with pleasing lies. Invite persons of different social and economic backgrounds around the same table and the fellowship is strained, often breaking apart ... Plant the cross in a room and the upwardly mobile convert it into a ladder. Evil, by whatever name it is called, will not sit idly by and allow the gospel to transform a community ... Let the preacher, therefore, be encouraged ... when having to deal with those problems which clearly have their origin in the fact that the gospel has been released in the community. A difference is being made, and that is seldom without pain." F.B. Craddock "Preaching to Corinthians...