Meandering Seminarian

Happy Birthday Isabella!

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:52:00 +0000

Two years ago we were praying for your health and growth. God has answered our prayers for healing and blessed us with having you. We love you and are thankful to have you. You bring a joy to our home that we only dreamed. I hope you have the bestest day ever!

Robert P. George On Obama and Abortion

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Robert P. George is the Director of the Program in Political Thought and Constitutional Government and the Herbert W. Vaughan Senior Fellow of the Witherspoon Institute.

He is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Founder and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.

He is a member of the Presidents Council on Bioethics, and previously served as a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

I write all of this to make the point clear. George is an authority on this subject. When he writes, read carefully. His article can be read here. It's worth a read.

Trevin Wax on John A. Broadus–A Living Legacy

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Trevin Wax over at Kingdom People gives a review of the B&H Academic work John A. Broadus A Living Legacy.

Happy 5th Anniversary Super T!

noreply@blogger.com (rjsande) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:46:00 +0000

Fifth anniversary is traditionally wood. So, we cruised on the General Jackson in NashVegas. Beautiful day. Beautiful wife. Here's to five years!

VP Debate and Prayer

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:22:00 +0000

"First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

With the VP debates tonight, I'm thinking more about the two VP candidates. I'm praying for both. Honestly. I have a bias like anyone. But let's try to pray for both candidates today. Palin and Biden have been preparing for some time for this debate. Imagine being either one of them today, this evening, and tonight. What a time it must be to operate at that level of politics.

I'm no prayer-warrior by any means. But I'm praying that tonight will serve as a time for honesty. That's a big request from either side.

I'm praying for wisdom on both sides. To get to this point in their lives is incredible. I pray that neither one says something they will regret. Something that isn't in their heart, or isn't them. It's important to know where they stand on the issues. It's also important to know a little more of what they value individually.

I pray that they will both be clear and say what they mean and need to say.

I'm not praying for arguments and jabs at each other. I don't think I have to pray for that to happen!

Mullins Lectures at SBTS

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:44:00 +0000

Who's E.Y. Mullins? He's pictured here and you can follow the link to find out more about him.

Dr. Raymond Ortlund, Jr. is speaking this week at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for the Mullins Lectures.

Worth a listen. Incredible.

Visited Sewanee University. All Saints' Chapel.

noreply@blogger.com (rjsande) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:54:00 +0000

Where the New Testament is Silent

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:22:00 +0000

Dr. Richard Land writes BAPTISTS, THE BIBLE & WOMEN: There is no "Palin predicament" for Southern Baptists or Evangelicals, an article on SBC polity and the role of women inside and outside of the church.

Excerpts from Land:

For Baptists, who make a strict distinction between the local church congregation and other denominational or parachurch ministries, such a statement would not preclude women "gifted for service" from serving in leadership positions in the denomination as opposed to the local church.

These theological convictions about the limits on women in leadership in the home and the church have nothing to do with women serving in leadership roles in public service. Southern Baptists and other Evangelicals with similar beliefs do not go beyond where they believe the New Testament leads them. And where the New Testament is silent, so are they. They do not extrapolate from biblically dictated spiritual roles in the home and the local congregation to other roles in society.

Whomever Southern Baptists support in the election is up to them, but they certainly are not restricted by their confessional statements of belief against voting for a female candidate for any public policy position.

Fireproof and The Love Dare

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:49:00 +0000

Kirk Cameron was recently interviewed on Today.

For trailers of the film and other links go here.

Free Download: Essential Church by Thom Rainer

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Get your free download here for a short time.

From the website:
Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back? This important question is examined and duly answered in Essential Church?, a follow-up to Thom S. Rainer’s best-selling Simple Church.

The book is based on a study of one-thousand so-called "church dropouts" who were interviewed about why they left. Their answers are quite surprising, having less to do with "losing their religion" and more about the desire for a community that isn’t made stale by simply maintaining the status quo.

The book offers four concrete solutions toward making their worship community an essential part these young people’s lives again:

Simplify - develop a clear structure and process for making disciples.
Deepen - provide strong biblical teaching and preaching.
Expect - let members know the need for commitment to the congregation.
Multiply - emphasize evangelism, outward focus, and starting new churches.

How Not To Use Twitter and Facebook (or) By Your Tweets You Will Be Known

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:06:00 +0000

I've been twittering for like, over 255 updates on Twitter, so I'm practically a professional twitter-er. Here's the thing, don't use Twitter and Facebook strictly as a tool for promoting your business.

What I'm Not Sayin'
Hear me out. I'm not saying you can't self-promote. I'm not saying you can't promote your business.

All I'm saying is that you have to stick to developing relationships no matter the social medium.

I'm an open networker. I'm open to you selling your business to me. But I'm not into you twittering about your business deals and your deals only.

Why I'm Followin'
Pretend to be human, use the social media as a personal relationship tool first. Make that your priority. Twit several times a day about nothing. If I'm following, that's why I'm following you. I want to get to know you for some reason, whether it's because you're funny or just because you're making me think about some place to eat that I wouldn't have tried otherwise.

Twit about feeding the dog, flying a kite, and eating at a great restaurant. I want to know those things. I want to dialogue with you during a random time of the day. That's fun.

Why I'm Not Followin'
I make a point to stop following the "Fred Donut's" who only twits once per week and that one post is a post about some "deal" Fred's got going on with his donuts this weekend. Come on. You know who you are. You do it on Twitter and on Facebook. Please stop.

What I'm Sayin'
All I'm saying is, make the priority the relationship and not the business. We can all tell which one is your priority based on your most recent tweets. Now go tweet about nothing.

Mommy & Baby in Reston

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:29:00 +0000

The baby at Starbucks in Reston, VA. You guys have fun. I can't wait for you to get back.

The Quotable Senator Jim Webb

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:24:00 +0000

K. K. Ottesen interviewed Sen. Jim Webb in latest Esquire. Noticed a couple of interesting quotes from Sen. Webb.

1) How do you get over a fence you can't climb? You throw your hat on the other side. I said I would do it, so I had to do it.

2) My dad's rule of leadership was basically one sentence: you can either make somebody do something, or you can make somebody want to do something. Now who would you rather work for?

Pictures of Hurricane Ike

noreply@blogger.com (rjsande) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Just got an e-mail of some amazing pictures of Hurricane Ike. Wow. Go here to view.

Calvin, Tongues, Baptism, & Elders...Oh My!

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:29:00 +0000

It's all the buzz today. Go here for the latest in LifeWay research.

The '68 Camaro is Now on eBay

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:08:00 +0000

You have seven days starting today to purchase this car. Go here for info and to see 24 pictures.

Random Wednesday Observations and Rants

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:55:00 +0000

• I'm getting older because I didn't know everyone on the VMA's last Sunday.

• Bella is going to be 2 years old next month. What? Shut up!

• I need a vacation. Me and Super T haven't had vacation since our honeymoon five years ago.

• Miss Lady and me will celebrate our five-year anniversary next month. We'll celebrate by not going on vacation! :)

• I've been twittering for over 222 updates and love it.

• I think I'm the last person to join Facebook.

• Don't recommend someone on LinkedIn simply because they write a recommendation for you. And don't recommend 30 people in hopes of getting five recommendations back. Anyone that knows anything about recommendations can see that you and your buddies got together and recommended each other. It discredits you and the other person.

• I'm going to miss Tonia being at LifeWay. Her last day is Friday. My lunch schedule just opened for the rest of the year, any takers?!

• With all that is happening around our family, I know something incredible is going to take place in our lives. But regardless, change is weird.

• Networking is not an option, for anyone, no matter the industry or personality type.

• I love reading about writing. Reading On Writing Well by Zinsser and love it. It will now be an annual read for me.

• I was presented my five-year anniversary award today in our staff meeting. A globe. Looking back at my life growing up, a globe would have been nice. Bella will grow up with a globe in the house. Thanks, LifeWay.

• Life is good even in the midst of chaos, if you have an understanding of God's grace.

• People should be "called to pastor" and not simply "called to preach."

• In seminary courses with a lecture hall full of pastors, you will always have one student who will "Amen" everything the professor says. I love it!

• I'm glad Audrina and Lauren are back to being BFF's! I was worried about those kids!:)

Buy Now or Bid Later: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:29:00 +0000

One time and one time only.

I'm plugging my dad's classic car. It's for sale tonight and tomorrow on Craigslist.

Buy it on Craigslist before I auction it off on eBay within the next few hours.

– Pristine. Completely rebuilt and fully restored SS convert.
– Straight body. No wind noise. Air tight.
– 454" engine.
– Original GM Quarter panels.
– New FlowMaster Exhaust. All new body trim. Corvette Rally's.
– Garage kept. Restored since 2005.
– Mileage on odometer reads 30,852.

Price is firm at $29,990

Mohler on Biden on Abortion

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:25:00 +0000

Dr. Mohler discusses the abortion issue on his blog regarding Biden's Meet the Press interview.

Excerpt from Meet the Press interview. Tom Brokaw asked Biden what he would say if Sen. Barack Obama asked him when human life begins:

I'd say, "Look, I know when it begins for me." It's a personal and private issue. For me, as a Roman Catholic, I'm prepared to accept the teachings of my church. But let me tell you. There are an awful lot of people of great confessional faiths-Protestants, Jews, Muslims and others-who have a different view. They believe in God as strongly as I do. They're intensely as religious as I am religious. They believe in their faith and they believe in human life, and they have differing views as to when life-I'm prepared as a matter of faith to accept that life begins at the moment of conception. But that is my judgment. For me to impose that judgment on everyone else who is equally and maybe even more devout than I am seems to me is inappropriate in a pluralistic society. And I know you get the push back, "Well, what about fascism?" Everybody, you know, you going to say fascism's all right? Fascism isn't a matter of faith. No decent religious person thinks fascism is a good idea.

Excerpts from Mohler:

How can he (Biden) live with this? There are significant questions about the extent to which some matters can properly be legislated. But there is no question that the government -- any government -- must take a stand on the question of human life. This is why the abortion issue simply will not and cannot go away. The government takes a side on this question, like it or not.

I believe Sen. Biden to be a serious man, and that is what is most frightening about this. Can a morally serious man really say that he believes that unborn babies are human beings, but that it should be a protected right to kill them?

November voters should look closely at how candidates answer the questions on abortion.

The Presidential CV

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:28:00 +0000

Ever wonder what the president's resume may look like? Here's VisualCV's take on what Barack Obama and John McCain's looks like.

Wife's Crazy Drink & the Quote of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (rjsande) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:59:00 +0000

The Way I See It 296:
By the time executives get married, take on a mortgage, raise kids, cope with the crabgrass, climb the corporate ladder, do their best to manage career pressures, build their net worth and get into their 40s, they've lost touch with what they believe in and care about most deeply. Allan Cox

My (wife's) New Camera

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:50:00 +0000

We bought the wife the new Flip Mino for her birthday. It was delivered today. It's already been worth the money to record footage of Bella so easily. Watch out Bella, your childhood will now be recorded! :)

On McCain Picking Gov. Palin?

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:58:00 +0000

Matthew Continetti, associate editor at The Weekly Standard has written an interesting opinion piece for the August 30, '08 edition of the NYT.

Continetti helps us understand why McCain may have chosen Palin over others.

Excerpts from Continetti:
–The only way for him to win this election is to break with the national Republican Party. Mr. McCain needs to recast the party in his own image: anticorruption, pro-reform and fiscally and socially conservative.

–By picking Ms. Palin, he has signaled that he will campaign against the Republicans in Congress, too.

Mohler: The Year of Living Dangerously

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:22:00 +0000

Opening Convocation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, President Mohler spoke of dangerous living and the call of the gospel.

The message was titled, The Year of Living Dangerously.

He pointed out that the ministry is not a profession. It is a calling. We should have the mindset of Esther the Queen, saying, "If I perish, I perish."

Mohler referred to the United States Navy Seal Philosophy that says:

In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation's call; a common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America's finest special operations forces to serve his country and the American people, and to protect their way of life. I am that man.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes who have gone before, it embodies the trust of those whom I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident, I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates, and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish the mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of the mission depend on me — my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required, yet guided by the very principles I serve to defend.

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

We are to expect danger rather than safety...deployment rather than security... and expect those serving alongside us to be as committed as we are. This is the calling of the gospel.

I am proud I am called to be a student at this seminary.

The Schedule that Works

rjsanders1@hotmail.com (Ryan) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:00 +0000

I like to think of myself as an efficiency expert. Tim Ferriss is. Tim shows in the pic to the left an example schedule for daily tasks. I love it. With my new-found love of Facebook, I'm gonna have to use schedule's like this! :) You should too! You're welcome.