I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving... now it's time to think about the beginning of our Journey through the New Testament and the early Church. As you know we have our first session tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 10 am central; 11 am eastern time. I will set up a scheduled live stream, but just so you know, I won't always do that ahead of time - sometimes I will just start the live stream right on time, so it's up to you to remember that we're gathering every Saturday at this time, and be ready. Of course, the sessions will be recorded so if you miss the live stream, you can watch it after the fact. The only difference will be that if you're on live, you can ask me questions as we go. But after the fact, if you post a question, I will always try to answer all questions.
Remember that only supporters of the community will be able to join the live stream or watch the video later. I'm sorry that some of these videos start off available to everyone, and then they switch to supporters only after a few minutes - I don't know if people will find that off-putting, but just so you know, that's not my idea, that's the way the platform works. In any case, if you want to come along on The Journey, make sure to sign up to be a supporter, if you're not already. It is $10/month, but you can always quit any time if you change your mind.
In a little while I'll post some more info on our method for the Bible Study, so stay tuned...
Jim
Dear friends - Please take 10 minutes to watch this personal update from me:
I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
The problem with us men is that often we don't have the wisdom to be a father until we're a grandfather.
This may sounds like some ironic statement that makes you nod your head in agreement but shrug your shoulders in resignation, thinking, well there's nothing we can do about that. But the practical application of that is that it demonstrates how important it is for kids to grow up around their grandparents. But as in our culture the family becomes ever more fractured and spread out, that is harder and harder to do.
Lately I've been thinking that part of the problem is the whole concept of college. It used to be that everyone thought a person had to go to college to make a good living. Not only is that not the case (truck drivers make more money than I do) but now college has gone from useless to actually ruining our kids. But when I went to college, what you were supposed to do is figure out what career you wanted (as if anyone knows that at age 18) and then go away to the college ...
And don't forget, if you would like to read my latest novel:
The Sword and the Clover - just let me know by email.
I'm happy to send you the PDF version, even if you haven't been a monetary supporter of the community - all I ask is that you don't share it with anyone else.
My email address:
Keep in touch!
JIm
If you haven't already signed up - this comes to your inbox no more than once a month, and will keep you updated when new books come out, or when we're leading pilgrimages, etc:
https://jimpapandrea.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a7c3793af6d238b47f3463784&id=2abdd7219d
