tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87628322008-10-27T20:57:27.047-05:00Theology, life, culture, homiletics, and book reviews.Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-52602755717708574122008-10-27T20:53:00.003-05:002008-10-27T20:57:27.064-05:00

John McCain wants to take your social security and health care for himself hoping you'll all die penniless! Barack Obama is going to send tanks into your cities if you don't vote for him! McCain voted to end your life! Obama will make you live in a work camp! And now the local commercials are heating up and we are subjected to so many half-truths, nuances, and parsings that I am truly ready

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-32360903521658045122008-10-23T19:08:00.002-05:002008-10-23T19:10:17.182-05:00

Not only does it feature the music of the great Ennio Morricone, it also features my second favorite NFL player, Troy Polamalu.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-72187825122260967272008-10-20T21:16:00.001-05:002008-10-20T21:17:24.629-05:00

I passed my last ordination exam this past weekend. All that seminary finally paid off. haha

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-91648826497747166312008-10-15T19:20:00.000-05:002008-10-15T19:21:01.310-05:00

Just don't.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-69489270392479451402008-10-07T14:43:00.002-05:002008-10-07T14:46:35.136-05:00

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-30886580354091224092008-09-29T17:53:00.001-05:002008-09-29T17:53:33.812-05:00

I'm finally getting a thesis typed very soon. hahahaha

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-62686151318734212292008-09-25T17:48:00.002-05:002008-09-25T17:49:45.977-05:00

One of the coolest dogs I've met, died today at the age of 15. His name was Dish and he was a brilliant and talented English Setter, who hunted birds all across the US. I'm gonna miss that old guy, who was retired from bird hunting a few years back.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-74449776426183664992008-09-25T15:25:00.001-05:002008-09-25T15:26:34.888-05:00

Does not have more bars in more places. Their service in SW PA is terrible.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-90835588775739035472008-09-24T09:45:00.002-05:002008-09-24T09:50:20.887-05:00

Over the past week or so, I've been reading quite a bit of Cold War historiography. One thing I've found striking, and a possible parallel with how many churches and Christians behave, is the notion that adding rules to create safety creates a more dangerous situation. From what I've read, US policy makers "added," if you will, more and more burdens on politicians and citizens during the Cold

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-52637501917217757252008-09-10T12:09:00.003-05:002008-09-10T12:15:51.786-05:00

This is one thing I do not care to discuss publicly simply because I tire of politics. It's not that I do not enjoy politics, it's just overdone. Still, as someone who researches the intersection of American Christianity and politics in the Revolutionary period and the 20th Century, I do have some observations to offer. #1 Candidates need to stop quoting Scripture in their speeches. It comes

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-72431425414371878462008-08-25T20:36:00.002-05:002008-08-25T20:43:25.778-05:00

One thing which binds any community together, to borrow from Sean Michael Lucas, is its beliefs, practices and stories. For me, I think practices and stories can sometimes be the most binding. One thing to keep in mind, however, is the fact that sometimes communities can become too entrenched in their practices and stories that they create an artificial barrier for newcomers. This is often the

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-58410845863614540292008-08-23T10:41:00.002-05:002008-08-23T10:47:04.374-05:00

One complaint some have against newer formats of worship, or older ones, is the fact of accessibility. On that level I agree. As I am in a small, rural setting, in a very old church (230 years old), there are certain things I prefer which do not fit the community at large. That said, I realize that and adapt to the community. That does not mean I compromise anything, however, it does mean that

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-5920250373005120802008-08-21T14:37:00.002-05:002008-08-21T14:44:10.569-05:00

I've had the opportunity preach a few times during August. One thing I've learned is that people are able to better understand you when you use accessible language. I know that sounds like Communications 101, but I think it bears repeating. Typically, what I like to do is view the crafting of a sermon like painting a picture. It sounds silly, I know, but think about it. There are paintings which

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-12575648652846637942008-07-31T14:07:00.003-05:002008-07-31T14:08:35.673-05:00

The ESV Study Bible. It looks like a good one, plus several of my seminary professors were contributors to it. Of course, the 35% discount didn't hurt either. Now we just need to wait until October to get it!

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-34660940842155472592008-07-31T13:00:00.002-05:002008-07-31T13:03:07.618-05:00

This is my 430th post in nearly four years. As of now, I'm in the throws of one of the busiest summers ever. I've compiled a list of books for the thesis I'm going to write and finish by November. In the past 8 days, I've finished two summer classes, taken two of my written ordination exams, took 9 teens and my wife to Bethany Beach, De; and prepared the order of service and sermon for this

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-20042131924815099482008-07-21T13:20:00.002-05:002008-07-21T13:22:53.561-05:00

As a former resident of Norman, I commend this article with the highest regard. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/snapshots/PL4052500.html #6 Best Small Cities to Live. Norman, OK In the fall, OUs football stadium is Norman's defacto town center. WINNER Top 100 rank: 6 Population: 102,800 Compare Norman to

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-66745639661056428492008-07-04T21:16:00.003-05:002008-07-04T21:18:17.940-05:00

It was the coldest 4th of July in my life - 69 degrees in SW PA. I noticed that Oklahoma was in the low 90s, too. Normally, it's triple digits. While I support smart conservation, reducing waste, taking care of creation, etc; I think we need to stop taking ourselves so seriously when it comes to our power to alter the climate. Don't forget in the 1970s, they were talking about global cooling and

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-41149583257571288682008-07-03T14:53:00.002-05:002008-07-03T14:55:55.232-05:00

I think I'd like to spend the 4th of July at a picnic with Andy Griffith. It'd be fun to sit at a picnic table, talk with him, listen to some homespun country wisdom, and have him belt out some old gospel songs. Maybe we could talk about the myth of Mayberry or Matlock's court record. It's be great as long as there was some watermelon and homemade ice cream. What prompted this thought was seeing

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-19607658942497853812008-06-25T08:17:00.001-05:002008-06-25T08:18:26.373-05:00

I don't get political very often because too many people do that with their blogs. But in this case, I think this video is pretty telling.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-14905677596778197412008-06-25T08:03:00.002-05:002008-06-25T08:14:15.959-05:00

Many of you know that I'm the "youth director" at our church while working at WVU and studying as well. Obviously, I would like to serve in the pastoral ministry at some point and last week, I am happy to say, that some point is coming soon. I got a promotion of sorts, from youth director to assistant pastor of youth. It is still part-time, which is perfect for our situation, but the key is that

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-29021383342481712012008-06-18T09:25:00.001-05:002008-06-18T09:25:44.756-05:00

UT Fan Sues OU Fan & Restaurant A football fan who says he was attacked in an Oklahoma City bar after being heckled for wearing a Texas Longhorns shirt is suing the bar and an Oklahoma Sooners fan for more than $100,000.Brian Thomas alleges in a suit filed Thursday that he was left with "serious, painful and potentially permanent" injuries after Allen Michael Beckett grabbed his groin and

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-82948364533654241442008-06-11T17:01:00.001-05:002008-06-11T17:03:12.587-05:00

I'll actually attend the PCA General Assembly. Maybe next year? Who knows? I've had such a hectic work schedule over the past 4 years that it's been improbable. Until then, I'll watch it on the live webcast when I'm not at work.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-70349507224555972502008-06-09T08:46:00.001-05:002008-06-09T08:47:16.194-05:00

Don't take 3 summer classes at the same time while working two jobs.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-81675743120917588892008-06-04T08:16:00.001-05:002008-06-04T08:18:37.004-05:00

I recommend Tim Keller's The Reason For God. I know I mentioned it a couple times in February, but I've read it at least once and some parts several times. It's well-written and thought provoking.

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8762832.post-21404226710414123392008-05-28T08:44:00.003-05:002008-05-28T09:05:54.513-05:00

Yesterday, I read Pirate Wars by Peter Earle. Having no real knowledge about piracy or pirates in general, this book somehow piqued my interest at the bookstore. I did not know what to expect, but in short, it was delightful reading. It is a scholarly account of Pirates and piracy, mostly centering on English-based pirates. There were a few things which struck me as I read the account. First,

Bobby's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08670098964120305599noreply@blogger.com0