edgiese

Programmer, project manager doing full stack web programming in LAMP + js. Generalist. Ordained Lutheran minister.

[edgiese @edgiese]

Whenever I am approached by a young man asking for advice on pursuing the ministry, I nearly always include this: "if you can talk yourself out of it, do it." That sounds harsh to some. But it is the opposite of harsh; it is true and loving.

God does not tolerate idolatry in anyone, but especially not in His chosen servants of the Word. Any desire for the esteem of others, for attention, for admiration of people, or even for inner learning and gravitas are things that are idols. The devil will take those things and attack you with them. At the worst moment of your ministry, when you are questioning (and you will) why you ever signed up for such a hard road, he will say, "you did it because you are evil and selfish. You are a failure."

I thank God that I tried so hard to talk myself out of the ministry before I pursued it. I don't deserve any credit for wisdom or humility in this; it was others in my life that led me to try as hard as I did. But I thanked God for all the resistance when the moment of trial came, and I had a rejoinder for the devil: "I know that God wanted me in the ministry. I can't see why He would have wanted me right now. But I do remember clearly that He wanted me. That is why I am here."

[edgiese @edgiese]

@becomelutheran I can pretty much guarantee you will depart that place a different person than when you arrived.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@lacedupallday23 @megbasham @McJuggerNuggets You do realize that if EVERYONE just minded their own business we wouldn't be reading about personal decisions on social media? Disagree if you like but public abortion, public response.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@DrClownPhD Anyone else notice how the piece on the fork went from like 4oz to bite sized? AI still has a way to go.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@CodyLibolt @realmikolson So when do we get our break from individual epistemological atavism? Are we all to scroll through our Protestant curated feeds, each finding our own truth and our own gods?

[edgiese @edgiese]

@not_our_guy Good luck trying to go back to the "good old days" of the 1990s. That ship has sailed. "Color blind" was a game only one side was ever playing, and it was based on dying modern liberalism. Welcome to postmodernism. Better find a better way.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@ShuyiQio That's really interesting, but it makes sense on a certain level. Some parents will take career risks, but if they plan for them, it affects their kids less. Happened to me.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@TanaGaneva Isn't this just politics? When we do it, there's a few bad actors, but meh. When they do it, ZOMG1!1!!!

[edgiese @edgiese]

@TanaGaneva 1. How many terrorist incidents have Jesus statues caused lately? 2. Ever tried burning a Quran?

[edgiese @edgiese]

@BClark980 @lizcollin @AlphaNews If it were Christians asking it would definitely be a violation of the establishment clause. It's public money being spent, so yes it's school organized.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@Ike_Saul @MAGAtakes It's behind a paywall, so no.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@Pat_Stedman This sounds interesting, but I'm not sure I'm getting it, honestly. What do you mean by, "It is pure manifestation?"

[edgiese @edgiese]

@wretchardthecat @grok How many have there been? And is that significant?

[edgiese @edgiese]

The relationship between grace, faith, and works has been debated for centuries. I do not agree with the position you obviously hold, but I can't "prove" my position in a few sentences any more than you can "prove" yours. I respect the arguments of some who hold your position even if I ultimately disagree. My response to you came because you claim that lazy protestants prove you are right. I don't think this is a wise line of argument. But keep working through your own faith and works, as will I. I pray we both find the truth.

[edgiese @edgiese]

If this response is just a troll I'll see soon enough and not feed you. If you are genuinely critical here, stop for a minute and think how unwise it is to judge another faith tradition by its weakest members. There are plenty of crummy Catholics too but I don't judge Rome on account of them. No one with real faith is going to do nothing about it.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@TheresaArueyin1 O Mensch beweint dein sunnden gross by J S Bach.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@romanhelmetguy This history would never be written because the resulting destruction from the end of that situation would have left no records.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@LizzieMarbach @SpeechWrx This is an interesting assertion. Is it fleshed out more somewhere? For instance, why this would be true (other than cheap pop-psychology answers) and whether it aligns with other large historical trends in the church.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@Seamus_the_pres @TrevorSheatz @Protestia @AshleySheatz I like that sentiment but alas that is not what invoking the beatitude communicated to me. I do hope it is as you say.

[edgiese @edgiese]

@Seamus_the_pres @TrevorSheatz @Protestia @AshleySheatz What sin of his own is Trevor claiming in his post? Being a virgin? No. He is the o-so-virtuous savior of the fallen woman. He is 'declaring his acts of righteousness before men'. He has his reward: clicks.