I have been an evangelical pastor for 23 years as of this writing. I come at faith issues from a conservative perspective based on a very high view of the authority of the Bible. While some Atheists and Agnostics might categorize me as a “fundie,” when we get into conversation they tend to find the discussion much more measured and rational than they might have previously imagined. I tremendously enjoy thinking about and discussing the Bible and how it interacts with any number of cultural issues.
Politically I am a Conservative. As a student of history my ideas are seen through that political lens. You will see that most of my thinking is centered on either the Civil War or the Founding Era. And since I always enjoy a good political debate that will come up regularly on this blog.
I have just celebrated 23 years of being married to wonderful lady and we have 2 beautiful daughters. My wife is not from the United States (she has been a naturalized citizen for 14 years) which gives us a rather inter-cultural view on many issues and it certainly influences our thoughts on the immigration debate.
I refer to this blog as my “ramblings” because I am writing about whatever happens to be of interest to me at the time–whether it is politics, the Bible, culture, history, the latest book I am reading, or something a bit more random. I love to hear from people whether you agree with me or not. However, there is something that I guard very carefully–and that is the tone of the conversation. I encourage strong argument, even strong disagreement, but it will always be done in a rational and respectful way. If you are someone who likes the rude type of jumping, screaming, name calling hysteria about differences of opinion then you might want to find one of the multiple obnoxious blogs that are out there. However, if you enjoy substantive conversation about that we hold to be very important you just might like it here.
I’d love to hear from you.
Great blog, Pastor Jeff. It is refreshing too that you allow people who believe differently to post to your blog. If you have a congregation, they are lucky to have you as pastor.
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for all the posts – I really enjoy reading your stuff. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve linked to your blog on my blogroll – if you object I’ll remove it.
On that note, you’re more than welcome to link to my blog if you think that the articles are useful.
Lastly, please feel free to delete this comment once you’ve read it if you like – just wanted to convey the information and don’t have an email address for you!
Michael
I appreciate that and I would be more than willing to add your blog. I find your posts and the interaction they engender will worth reading.
Hi, nice to meet you !
It’s nice to stumble across a fellow minister’s blog (I’m sure there are many.) I’m a music and youuth pastor who enjoys writing as well. Thanks for your thoughtful and well written entries. I’m going to enjoy browsing you work.
God Bless,
Bryan
Thank you for your encouragement. Hope to hear from you on some of the things you’re reading.
By the way, I have just started a blogroll on my site, and have added you, I hope that’s fine.
God Bless,
Bryan
Hi Pastor Jeff,
Julie L. from Bedford here – came across some Civil War era stuff at the Circe Institute and thought that you would like to read along … http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/civilwar/ … they have begun running (for the next five years it seems) “real-time” debates, news bits from the era … you’ll see today’s date coincide with the 1860s “real-time” date.
Hi to Cleidy!
Julie, it was great to hear from you. I will definitely check out the site. Hope your family is doing well and please greet them for us.
Pastor Jeff … love your blog. I am a Christian writer and enjoy reading. I have several of your books on the reading list. As far as apologetics go, I love Strobel’s stuff. I noticed you like Civil War stuff. I am a Civil War buff myself. Have you heard of a book called Battlefields & Blessings by Terry Tulley? It’s written as a daily devotional, but it’s very good.
thanks for sharing your ramblings!
Scott
Thank you for your very kind words. Strobel writes some really good stuff. I am not familiar with Battlefields & Blessings, but it sounds like one I should look into. If you are not familiar with it you should look at Christ in the Camp.
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Hello Pastor Jeff,
I have read several of your posts and love your blog. I was curious if you had heard of a public company that is exploring and drilling for oil & gas in Israel based on the Bible?
The company is Zion Oil and Gas. I would love to send you a free packet of information just to get your feedback on it. All you have to do is go to the website and fill out the form.
Either way, keep the great posts coming!
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I wanted to thank you for the mention over at your blog. Please stop by again.
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Interestingly enough, I found your blog by googling a quote by Ravi Zacharias for a Political Ideologies class I am currently taking. After posting the quote on my class discussion blog, I came back to your blog to read some of your views, and recommended readings, (very great selection). C.S. Lewis is one of my favorites along with Oswald Chambers, Ravi Zacharias and Lee Strobel. I will certainly be reading your posts, I find your views very interesting and look forward to sharing.
I am glad you came across the blog and letting me know about. I will look forward to interchanging on some very important ideas. Ravi is certainly among my favorites.
I just started writing a blog a little while ago. I have been looking for others to follow. I am also a Christian and also happen to be a historian. Your blog seems like a good choice for my first blog to follow. Just signed up to follow.
I am glad you found this blog and I wish you great success on yours. What time period of history is of most interest to you?
Thank you. For my degree, I studied mostly modern Western history. So circa 1600ish to present. Europe and America. I enjoy all kinds of history though and managed to take a variety of different courses while I was working on my degree. I see you enjoy American history, the Civil War era and the Revolution? I also enjoy the founding era and have read/watched quite a bit about it. One of the books I was hoping to comment on later in my blog was David McCullough’s John Adams. I am not as strong in the Civil War period as I am in the revolutionary period. Have you read James McPherson’s Battle Cry of Freedom? That is one of the books I have read regarding that era and found it to be very good. It is part of a series that I was reading.
Of course just about anything by McCullough is worth reading. I really enjoyed “John Adams.” As far as “Battle Cry of Freedom” is concerned, it is an excellent title written by one of the best living Civil War historians.