bosalisbury.com Posts

la-le-me-mary-grace-canfield-jpg-20140217Our family lived in Maine from 1993 – 1997 and the area we lived in was ripe with chance meetings of fate, because so many celebs and power people vacation or retire there. Here’s just one example. More will follow and fans of the old TV comedy, Green Acres, will want to check out this post.

Most people who flew out of our area to the rest of the United States and the world would leave on the 6AM flight out of Bangor International Airport. It was a large plane, flying to Logan International in Boston, where connections were made with the rest of civilization.… Read the rest

Film Just Plain Fun Maine: The Vista From Away Wacky • Weird

IMG_6290I’ve watched boys writhing in the pews and struggling to pay attention for years, as the preacher plows through the text, turning over the soil of the soul. Sometimes the man behind the music stand or pulpit is me.

Other boys get down on their knees, but not to pray. They face a chair with a pencil up and press their noses down close to a piece of paper or a flyer for some church event or a bulletin or a sketch pad, rendering caricatures of superheroes or Transformers or stock cars. Older boys may read an appropriate novel. Some do their homework, while others game away on a device of some kind.… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture Christianity • Religion Just Plain Fun

Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered

So, I came across these 4 Tips For Dealing With Procrastination @ Challies Dot ComFunny, I’ve never thought of myself as one of those slugs who can’t seem to get around to getting around to begin to start to get rolling on accomplishing some work. But, since retiring from two careers at roughly the same time in order to begin doing all those things I’ve always wanted to do… well, it’s been a bit more of a challenge to get going than I’d like to admit.

I’m happy to report that I’m finding myself on task and in the zone far more than I was a year ago and I have Tim to thank for this.… Read the rest

Leadership Planting

If you haven’t already read it, this is a fine book about cultivating healthy, Gospel relationships within the Church. I read Ken Sande’s first edition of The Peacemaker years ago and have to say this revised and updated Third Edition is greatly improved. I skimmed over my highlighted copy about a month ago and was pleasantly surprised to rediscover this gem, buried among so much treasure:

People who use escape responses [to conflict] are usually intent on “peace-faking,” or making things look good even when they are not. (This is especially common in the church, where people are often more concerned about the appearance of peace than the reality of peace). 

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Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered Leadership Missional Communities Planting

While I appreciate the emphasis on humility, I think Karina Kreminski’s take is predictably defensive and thin. Here’s the post: The Church Is In Post-Christian Exile – But Should We Really Respond Like It’s a War?

The short answer to the question she poses in the title of her essay is, Yes. If we take Jesus and the apostles at their word, standing on the shoulders of the prophets and patriarchs, we are in a war. The Bible uses colorful language, simile, metaphor, and other figures of speech to describe or illustrate the Christian life. Jesus followers are both in exile and at war. Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Eschatology Religion Revelation

Why do I blog? There are a number of reasons, I suppose. francis4

I came across a quote which answers that question and may give you some insight into why I do whatever I do:

Our calling is to enjoy God as well as glorify Him. Real fulfillment relates to the purpose for which we were made, to be in reference to God, to be in personal relationship with Him, to be fulfilled by Him, and thus to have an affirmation of life. Christianity should never give any onlooker the right to conclude that Christianity believes in the negation of life. Christianity is able to make a real affirmation because we affirm that it is possible to be in personal relationship to the personal God who is there and who is the final environment of all He created.

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Blogging Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered

SP11Occasionally, I provide pulpit supply, filling in for a pastor who needs a break for whatever reason. I’ve only done this a few times over the years, but always enjoy it.

In July, I’ll be talking about the Gospel and Paul’s reminder to Christians at Corinth to stand in/on the Gospel message or “word” he had preached or “proclaimed” to them, years earlier:

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. (1

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Gospel-Centered Leadership Planting

I thought this was a short, informative article to kick off the summer with. And, please notice that I’m leading off with this pull quote:

These infections are extremely rare,” said Amy Kirby, an assistant research professor at Emory University’s Center for Global Safe Water. There were only 88 cases of necrotizing fasciitis recorded in the U.S in 2013.

Whatever you do, please don’t give in to fear. It’s important to remember that, although the bacteria is common, necrotizing fasciitis and other diseases resulting from exposure to these bacteria are rare and, to some degree, preventable. If you will be swimming this summer, as I will be, remember to bathe afterwards, clean and disinfect any wounds you may have.… Read the rest

Media Coverage Resources

This was something I posted back  in 2005 and I thought it might be worthwhile to look back to where we’ve been and see how far we’ve come.

It has long been a dream of mine to redecorate our home in a modern theme, but it looks like that will have to wait for another 5-10 years. In the interim, we have decided upon a retro look and have been scouring thrift stores, garage sales and eBay for furniture and accessories from the same era as the ribbon-cutting on our home, i.e. 1961.couch

Today, Denise, and I were leaving a disappointing garage sale, when we happened upon a young gentleman (who happpened to be from New Zealand), standing in the driveway of his new home, next to this sectional.

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Art • Design • Culture Blogging Just Plain Fun Vintage • Retro • Kitsch

Diagnosis Life After NF Media Coverage

Have you ever noticed how one-sided your relationship with God is? You would almost get the impression that it’s all about Him. I was thinking about this today and, as it turns out, it’s probably more accurate to speak of His relationship with me. Consider this:

  • God took the initiative. We love because he [God] first loved us. (1 John 4:19 ESV) I wasn’t consulted, when the Lord first loved me. Nor, was I even around when He decided to embrace me (we’ll talk about that in a moment).  I’m not eternal, contrary to the fantasies embraced by some religions. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
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Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered

This past week was the celebration of the 17th anniversary of our battle with necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh-eating bacteria. I was moved to remember and reflect on some of the new and different experiences the disease brought with it. Here are just a few highlights:

  • I had the blessing of saying my final farewell to three of four family members and survived to remember it, urging them to look to Jesus! I hope to be able to do the same the next time around. Camille was sorta freaked out, because she had finals and wondered if she should go to school or stay with me.
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Christianity • Religion Necrotizing Fasciitis

I don’t recall memorizing, reciting or reading Robert Frost’s poems in school, while growing up in Southern California. That may seem unusual for anyone my age or older, because he was the nation’s poet laureate and all the rage in the early ’60s. He wrote a poem for John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, which bound him inextricably to the times and events that many baby-boomers cling to as their coming of age.

I had, in the words of one Richard Baxter biographer, a defective and desultory education. I think it was more my fault than any deficiencies in the educational system or my teachers.… Read the rest

Books • Literature

leading_on_emptyLeading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro is a book for burnouts. I picked it up back in February of 2013, when I finally realized I was experiencing long-term exhaustion (the formal diagnosis). I was a classic case — I didn’t know I had arrived at burnout, until I was actually coming out of it. A friend pointed me to this text as a classic on the subject, specifically written for Christians.

The book was not overly helpful for me, because I had stumbled into solutions or had recognized and addressed many of the symptoms already. It did help me to make sense of the troubled waters I’d just passed through and gave me a few tips or reminders to get back on course.… Read the rest

Books • Literature Leadership Planting

Let’s talk about Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More? Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior. Dr. Prior is a Professor of English at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She is also the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me (T. S. Poetry Press 2012) and a contributing writer for Christianity TodayThe AtlanticIn Touch, Her.meneutics and Think Christian.  Ms. Prior is a member of the Faith Advisory Council of the Humane Society of the United States, living out a fierce commitment to her family of dogs, horses, and chickens in rural Virginia, along with her husband, Roy.… Read the rest

Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Religion

Hugh Jackman to star as the apostle Paul in high-profile Christian film | Film | The Guardian

I suppose this is exciting news for fans of Marvel Comics… and, the Bible.

From The Guardian, Jackman had this to say about his father, who is a Christian:

“He takes his religion very seriously and would prefer I go to church,” Jackman revealed. “We’ve had discussions about our separate beliefs. I just find the evangelical church too, well, restrictive.

I think the actor may be surprised to learn that many Evangelicals would agree the faith is “too, well, restrictive” and are ditching long-held teachings and practices of both Jesus and His apostles, as well as the prophets.

I think Michael Bird has the right take on this casting decision, as well as the storyline for a future project:

Personally, I’d love to see Jackman do an Apostle Paul/Wolverine re-mix, and pull out the retractable bone claws to emasculate the judaizers in Galatia!

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Christianity • Religion Film

Last year, I joined a group of men reading through the Bible in a year, with the aid of this Biblical theology, The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. It was an incredible experience,  hearing the Story of God in a cover-to-cover reading of the Scriptures. So, it was both shocking and delightful to hear Nancy Guthrie express many of the same discoveries our men’s group made, covering essentially the same ground. I highly recommend a good listen to this podcast for anyone, at any stage in your story, following Jesus: WHI-1254 | Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, Part 1 – Out of the Horse’s Mouth.… Read the rest

Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered

Digital MonkBruce Hindmarsh is the James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver. Perhaps you’ve heard the term Spiritual Disciplines. Bruce is an historian who thinks we’re entering uncharted territory with social media, communication via screens and devices, as well as a shrinking number of people who remember a time without the internet. One of the remedies to this phenomena? Dr. Hindmarsh suggests that God may be calling some Christians to become digital monks. Is it possible that God is calling you to eschew a digital culture, in order to live a life of handmade writing (letters), no internet and, perhaps, only a phone (and, a landline at that)?… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Missional Communities

Uncategorized

This is a very informative resource for those concerned about the Flesh-eating bacteria.

Necrotizing fasciitis: A severe, progressive skin infection which causes progressive destruction of skin and underlying tissue. It is caused by certain bacteria and has a high mortality rate… Necrotizing fasciitis (occasionally described by the media as “the flesh-eating bacteria”) destroys muscles, fat…

More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Necrotizing fasciitis is available at Necrotizing fasciitis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and Causes – RightDiagnosis.com.… Read the rest

Diagnosis Resources Treatment What Is Necrotizing Fasciitis

You may have read about Aimee Copeland back in May of 2012, when she contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) from an injury involving a homemade zip line. She suffered overwhelming sepsis and multiple amputations. Here is a very encouraging and inspiring update:  The Evolution of Aimee Copeland | Emory Medicine Magazine | Emory University.

Actually, it’s a fairly detailed story that covers different aspects of her experience, focusing on what it’s like to live a different  sort of life, post-NF. There’s a bit of science here, too, which points to the benefits of living in these times, when victims of devastating events can return to a normal life.… Read the rest

Life After NF

I’ve finished reading Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More? Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist by Karen Swallow Prior. I have my own review, and I’m just about ready to push the “Publish” button. But, for now you can find this interview of the author over at The Gospel Coalition. From the biography:

Hannah More

More was born in a rapidly changing society, and her life embodies many of those changes. She was born to laboring class parents but became an early example of social mobility by rising well above her station by the end of her life. But having both lower class origins and upper class attainments gave More an opportunity to effectively reach both rich and poor and in between through her writing and her reform efforts.

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Books • Literature Christianity • Religion

When I saw this woman in her Jobst garments and mask, it brought back a flood of memories. Many victims of necrotizing fasciitis are treated in burn units or go through some kind of plastic surgery and reconstruction. For skin grafts, Jobst pressure garments act as a second skin, flattening the scars, aiding the vascular system, and helping the sub derma to recover.

I wore them from the tips of the toes on my left leg, like a bicycle short on my right leg and all the way up to my chest in a “tank top” style suit. I had some serious keloid scarring at the donor sites on my rib cage.… Read the rest

Life After NF Media Coverage Treatment

NF T ShirtAre you a necrotizing fasciitis survivor? Then you can be a traveling billboard for the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation and support them financially, at the same time. I got my t-shirt last week and it fits just right. Order yours here.… Read the rest

Life After NF Media Coverage Resources