Disqus - Latest Comments for Ted Gossard

Re: Does Fantasy “Tinker with Contemptible Imitations of Godâ€™s Power”?

Ted Gossard — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 19:57:01 -0000

Mark, I agree. We need far more sanctified imagination that is free to roam the world of fantasy. Even Scripture, to some extent, arguably (and I think it does) does the same. In the apocalyptic stuff from Zehariah, etc.

I am afraid also that this obsession can blind us to the real dangers of occultism, that though not common place, are nevertheless present and indulged.

Re: President Ford on What Lasts Forever

Ted Gossard — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 21:42:22 -0000

Mark,
Yes. Here in Grand Rapids they're already making the downtown a no-go for me. I think Wednesday is the big day here. Thanks for sharing that here (and on Jesus Creed, the other day, I believe).

Re: Another Free Chapter in Christian Fantasy Book

Ted Gossard — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 21:44:52 -0000

Mark, I want to get to yours. I have a brother-in-law's entire manuscript of a fiction book, I need to finish first.

Re: Don’t Conform To Platitudes against Conformity

Ted Gossard — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:30:12 -0000

haha. Some good thoughts here, as well as good laughs.

I say, simply be yourself. But be yourself in community with others. Through living, books, etc. Then, I think there might be a good blend between conformity and creativity.

Re: Make Your Readers Love You

Ted Gossard — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 12:21:35 -0000

Great thoughts, Mark! Being a servant, and being open and vulnerable. And highly appreciating the work of others. Keenly seeing the good there. I think these are all important in our work and relationships in it.

Re: On a Brief Hiatus

Ted Gossard — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:28:15 -0000

Mark, You're just too nice! Thanks.

How about this as a line describing you:

the Servant Writer.

Well, my weak attempt at the moment. But I much appreciate your good spirit and the good thoughts you share with us. Thanks!

Re: Five Tips for the Writing Dad (or Mom)

Ted Gossard — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:26:16 -0000

Alot of good wisdom there, Mark. Worth marking!

Re: Seedling Tagged Me

Ted Gossard — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:53:53 -0000

Good stuff, Mark. Each one of them is odd, but in a good way, of course!

Re: Seedling Tagged Me

Ted Gossard — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:55:37 -0000

...and awesome about the exchange student and the ministry and friendship you had/have with her.

Re: Good Writers Don’t Fish in Dead Waters

Ted Gossard — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:12:47 -0000

Very interesting. Good to be introduced to new worlds. This is one for me. Thanks, Mark.

Re: What Makes a Good Book Anyway?

Ted Gossard — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:21:10 -0000

Wow. A heavy but GOOD topic!

There is so much to say here theologically, that it's hard to know where to start (for me). I see GOOD as fitting, in thought and experience. Though to know what is REALLY fitting, and therefore GOOD, takes nothing less than revelation from God, for us to even begin to "get it".

Re: What Makes a Good Book Anyway?

Ted Gossard — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:27:09 -0000

And of course, there is "general revelation", in which God lets his goodness be known to all. As well as "special revelation", in which God gives the good news of his goodness coming in his Son, to us humans. Showing his goodness to us (being willing to die- Romans 5) who were, in a sense, not good at all.... in the supreme act of love at the cross.

Re: Sentence Tip # 1 - The Speed of Short

Ted Gossard — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:36:27 -0000

I've enjoyed this post, as well as comments. I think it must be natural. In snyc with our own way of communicating, as well as with those we're trying to communicate with. This does present a challenge, to be sure.

I find sometimes, that when I have to edit a post very much, it really loses the original feel of what I was trying to get across.

I look forward to learning from you here. And a nice example you shared of interesting writing.

Re: Build Community on Your Blog in Five Steps

Ted Gossard — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 22:38:16 -0000

Mark, I concur with you here. I love conversation. Not that good at it, but I'm trying to grow in it. I can tend to talk too much.

And I see my own blog as a ministry. But it's an interactive ministry. In which the door is open for others to come in. And for us to "minister" to, or serve one another.

Thanks. Thanks to L.L., too.

Re: Build Community on Your Blog in Five Steps

Ted Gossard — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:11:53 -0000

Mark, Well, certainly blogging is not where "ministry" or serving should end. But it is an outlet for me to share and hopefully get some give and take. Thanks.

Re: Sentence Tip # 2 - The Density of Long

Ted Gossard — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 07:14:03 -0000

Good and interesting points, Mark. It is so interesting that some of the greatest works, in their day were largely unappreciated.

I think one has to be concerned with content. An Amos shouldn't try to be an Isaiah. Though he could learn a thing or two from Isaiah. And vice-versa, for that matter.

Re: God Is in Every Classroom

Ted Gossard — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:38:05 -0000

Yeah, Mark. Nice poem. God in his gracious work everywhere. Just like Charity says, Wish I had seen that in the past.

Re: Generate a Random Story on WhereTheMapEnds.com

Ted Gossard — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:55:40 -0000

Wow. This is a different world. Really, I do appreciate getting opened up to other ideas and spheres of writing. I tend to be too one dimesional in what I read, and from that, how I communicate, I suppose. Interesting.

Re: Pens Should Be Mightier Than Toilet Plungers

Ted Gossard — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:14:09 -0000

Mark, Yes. I love good stories that carry you along. And theology that emphasizes the Story of God.

One of my regrets in life. Not having read more. I try to do so as I can.

Good thoughts here. Thanks.

Re: Answered For - Another Poem

Ted Gossard — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:15:44 -0000

Wow, again, Mark. Interesting and easy reading. I need some of that. Actually any thing laborious to do, I wonder why. If there's a good reason, okay. But if not I tend to bail out.

Thanks for bringing in this different writing. I appreciate it. I've not been exposed to enough variety.

Re: Sentence Tip #3 - Get Long and Loose and Conversational

Ted Gossard — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:32:24 -0000

Mark, Very interesting again. I tend to want to avoid those kind of sentences. Though I'll bet I do that sometimes. I've kind of noticed a bit of those type of sentences in N.T. Wright's book, "Simply Christian", which I'm reading- I think.

Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" was a treat for me. Rare, since I don't ordinarily take to fiction.

Re: Sentence Tip #3 - Get Long and Loose and Conversational

Ted Gossard — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:33:37 -0000

Maybe it's a good change of pace to do that in writing, here and there, to keep your reader from being lulled to sleep, and maybe forget to read the book again, since "out of sight, out of mind".

Ha.

Re: You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

Ted Gossard — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:43:00 -0000

Wow, what a fun blog. This is just too much......!!!!!.......

But, oh yeah, congrats. And Dutch ain't so bad. I live among them here in Grand Rapids. I like to watch them in their wooden shoes.

Re: How Will Publishers Compete with FREE Content?

Ted Gossard — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 12:13:17 -0000

Mark, I'm just over 50 so my words here probably shouldn't count. But I do prefer books. Yet I love the access to good material that computers afford to us. So now I really wouldn't want to do without either. Plus I like the live interaction with people that blogging brings.

Isn't it true that precious few authors, who have books published, can make a living off their work? I wonder what percentage can, and what markets are the best for this.

Re: Why Writers Must Dream (But Also Herd Cats)

Ted Gossard — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:12:39 -0000

Mark, Good thoughts here (especially, butt in the chair- ha).

You have your mind on two many things. Isn't multi-tasking dangerous? Not that we don't have to manage about three or four things at the same time in our lives (or more). It's nice, and a break, when we can do just one thing and relax doing it. Though then, as you say, we'll inevitably have forgotten something!

Re: It’s National Poetry Month!

Ted Gossard — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:16:16 -0000

Wow. I wish I would get poetry better. I guess it means slowing down. I do love the poetry in Scripture like in the psalms.

Re: Be the First to Preview an All New TheHighCalling.org

Ted Gossard — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:59:59 -0000

Marcus, It's been hard for us schedule wise lately. And my father finally went to be with the Lord. I did intend to give this a good look and was very interested. Maybe later I can get on board. Thanks.

Re: New Translation Teaches Social Media Church

Ted Gossard — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 21:16:23 -0000

Wow. You left me dumbfounded!

Re: Worship God in Truth

Ted Gossard — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:49:39 -0000

Yes, Mark. Good thoughts here.

Sounds like the Bible.

Re: Who Is a Minister? Are You?

Ted Gossard — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:07:54 -0000

Mark, Good thoughts over there. I really like the way you state that Jesus shows up in our work. I think this is true as we seek to live in obedience to him.

Re: Writing (and Blogging) Is About Relationships

Ted Gossard — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 07:32:43 -0000

It is nice and fun to get to know others through blogging. It's definitely a kind of fellowship for me and I like the personal interactions as well as learning from others I personally want both, and I think most do, though some are content just to gather and share information (those must be the high powered intellects).

Re: Elvis Is Leaving the Building

Ted Gossard — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 07:36:08 -0000

Mark, This is beside the point but I couldn't find your e-mail.

Why should I, a clutz, leave Blogger for Wordpress. Alot of wordpress blogs don't look any better to me, but I admit, maybe they have some features Blogger/Blogspot doesn't have. Like delayed postings would be nice. Well, I'll listen....

Re: Godzilla-Jesus Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

Ted Gossard — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 09:56:25 -0000

haha. yeah.

I think this is so true. The real Jesus is just completely different from the solution the world has to offer, or even what we would so often like. It involoves a complete renovation, and really more than that, a complete remake of who we are, into completely new persons in Jesus, living in a new way. Yet still grappling with the old ways that have been so much a part of us and are deeply rooted in us.

And I do believe that Christians are called to make this Jesus a light and standard for the world, more than just a savior of individual souls, as important as that is.

Re: Spagettipie’s Writing Meme

Ted Gossard — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:20:30 -0000

Evil and the Justice of God, N.T. Wright
Exclusion and Embrace, Miroslav Volf
Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity, Lauren Winner
The Message Bible, Eugene Peterson

childhood: Kenneth Taylor's Bible story book, called something like, Pictures for Little Eyes, had a good retelling of a Bible story for children. Mom read them to us kids.

Re: Spagettipie’s Writing Meme

Ted Gossard — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:57:24 -0000

Marcus, I really like it and think it worth the read. And I think it can be very helpful to many. At the same time she is rightfully humble in that some of this is her opinion, though I think it's an informed, well thought out one. And what I like most is that she really tries to engrain her thinking in the theology of Scripture and the church.

Re: Editing with the Heart of a Teacher

Ted Gossard — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:06:27 -0000

Marcus, I can see that in you in your blogging; clear as day. I think I most definitely have the same thing in my own unique, simple way. I enjoy trying to share and enjoy truth and the experience of life with others. What a blast it can be, as well as challenging, which after all, life is.

Parker Palmer, yes he is interesting. I like much of what I remember about him. Think he was on "Speaking of Faith" one time, as well.

Re: Disappearing for a Bit

Ted Gossard — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:18:59 -0000

Sorry to hear about that, Marcus. As others have said it will all shake out well in the end, in the Lord. Hope you get or have had some great rest.

Re: Disappearing for a Bit

Ted Gossard — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:35:09 -0000

Marcus, You're tagged!

Re: How My Kindergartener Learned to Read Chapter Books

Ted Gossard — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:15:33 -0000

Mark, Great advice and ideas here. We read to Tiffany too, and at one point they said she was easily the best writer in the eighth grade at a charter school. She read, "Lord of the Rings" three times (I have yet to read it!). But now she's on a hiatus away from it, and seemingly not either interested in writing or reading. Don't know....

But yes, great advice.

Re: Poetry Friday: The Picasso of Pancakes

Ted Gossard — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:03:13 -0000

Nice poem, Markus, and very nice read.

Reminds me of Rich Mullins lyrics, maybe because I've been listening to him alot, lately. Whimsical, imaginative, memorable.

Re: Praying With My Eyes Wide Open - Theology for Preschool Through First Grade

Ted Gossard — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:43:32 -0000

I agree with Real Live Preacher about you as a good father.

This has to be good writing, because it reminds me of when I did the same things your son did here (at least a couple of them). I can still taste the mashed potatos. And we used to lick them off the beaters, as well.

Re: This Isn’t Really a Subscribe to Me Kind of Blog

Ted Gossard — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 13:52:55 -0000

Kind of a fascinating post and thread, Marcus. So many of you folks are so sophisticated.

I like and agree with the thought of being as natural as possible, while realizing in that, that there may be ways we're mistaken, or more likely, ways we can improve.

But I especially think just being a part of a blogging fellowship can really help us in some important and varied ways.

Blessed Christmas and new year to you and yours, Marcus!

Re: Public Prayers, Professions of Faith, and Good Ol’ Fashioned Evangelism

Ted Gossard — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:04:09 -0000

Marcus and L.L.,

Yes, I really like the work Krista Tippett does on Speaking of Faith (see my side link to get to her NPR weekly program). You can learn so much; she's an excellent listener.

I may not be on board with all of her thinking, I don't think I am, though her thinking may be contextual in relation to the program, though I think it's more than that.

I know one person who greatly impacted her and her thinking was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. You can find "Ethics and the Will of God: the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer" on her programs you can listen to. A great program, and it's interesting that though Bonhoeffer had a clear gospel witness, he was much at home among unbelievers and seemed to have really good rapport with them, in a way that opened up the gospel for them. But that's just my take.

It is a difficult subject, Mark, and one I'm sure, we all need to keep working on together, hopefully.

Re: Public Prayers, Professions of Faith, and Good Ol’ Fashioned Evangelism

Ted Gossard — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:13:13 -0000

Just read your skit, too, Marcus, and I like it. (scratch all the other stuff I just typed.)

Re: Thomas Nelson Leaving Christian Booksellers Association? Not Exactly.

Ted Gossard — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:43:20 -0000

Marcus,
Interesting.

Hey, I have a pic of L.L.'s hands over on my blog from Saturday's post, and about our time together.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..prayer for the week

Re: When Poetry Walks on Water

Ted Gossard — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:02:14 -0000

Marcus,
Nice.

And even nicer is L.L.'s hands over at my blog on Saturday's posting. I'm sure you won't want to miss that. Deb and I had such a nice time with her, for an hour, late in a day. She was so gracious. It was fun.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..prayer for the week

Re: I Just Want God to Cut Through the Crap

Ted Gossard — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:38:28 -0000

Yes, Marus. I think I hear you and have been there countless times myself, as well.

It is so refreshing to experience God's love in Jesus through others in Jesus. And then we're to go out and share that same love to all.

This kind of life of sharing God with each other by the Spirit through love and good works and words is so weak in our thinking and practice, in our theology and practice. It's too much about "me and God". But that does have its place; but I seem to find more of that through fellowship with others, praying with and for them.

Oh well, just my spiel here. But yes, there are those times when it seems no matter what, that everything is dark and dead. Part of the life of faith, I take it.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..sons and daughters of encouragement

Re: I Just Want God to Cut Through the Crap

Ted Gossard — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:44:47 -0000

I do want to add that often I've found God reward my attempt, weak though it may be, to draw near to him. Through prayer or being quiet. I get a sense that God is in my life then, that he is with me encouraging me onward.

But yes, there is plenty of crap God needs to cut through in our lives. I want him to, but it's not easy. We seem to have a built-in resistance to it because change and God's working in our lives seems distant or forboding. Though as soon as we experience any of that, we find it pleasant. Though I wonder if alot of God's work in our lives really seems unpleasant to us at certain junctures.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..sons and daughters of encouragement

Re: Retreat - Get a Handle on God’s Design

Ted Gossard — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:36:28 -0000

Very nice music. And I agree. It's hard for people to see this, though, at times. But that's where I live, even in Jesus.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."stepping stones - conversion" - from L.L. Barkat

Re: What Was That Super Cool Music?

Ted Gossard — Wed, 14 May 2008 05:47:34 -0000

Yes, Ashley I believe was/is a good friend of Rich Mullins. I'm sure it's great and powerful and good stuff. Thanks, Mark. I have to head out the door, but will hit the music later.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Christmas Coal - shame" from L.L. Barkat

Re: Twitter Church, I Love Your Stinky Kind of Beauty

Ted Gossard — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:20:18 -0000

Quite interesting, Marcus.

I like the idea that truth is beauty and beauty the truth. A good thought and oh so true. And the delete comment option is good, though I can just flood someone's blog trying to explain myself!

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Tossed Treasure - messiness" by L.L. Barkat

Re: Looking for Intimacy with God?

Ted Gossard — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:03:13 -0000

Yes, I think the truly genuine prayer is what we need to pray if we're really praying. It has to be from a heart even if a broken or ravaged heart.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Heron Road - suffering" by L.L. Barkat

Re: Do You Have the Courage to Teach?

Ted Gossard — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:56:13 -0000

I really like the thoughts on teaching, and that book I'm sure is a great read.

Yes, I missed my calling, I'm more and more convinced. I should have been a teacher in some setting as my work, but oh well.... Just have to make the best of what's left.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Sword in the Stone: resistance" from L.L. Barkat

Re: The Secret to a Better Attitude

Ted Gossard — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:32:48 -0000

Marcus,
A whole bunch of truth in this. Yes, I do better out of rest, both physically and spiriually.

It is odd that we're to work to rest. But when you think about it, it's not. And then out of this rest comes work.

It does remind me of simply abiding in the Vine, Jesus, and that only when we do that will we do anything worthwhile in God's eyes, bearing fruit.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Howe's Cave - baptism" from L.L. Barkat

Re: How To Survive a Road Trip to Lubbock with 2 Small Kids

Ted Gossard — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:21:25 -0000

Good sense of humor there, and I like among the other things here, the laughter part. How much more laughter we need! We take too many things seriously in a bad way.

But it sounds like you folks did survive!

Ted Gossard's last blog post..Palisade Cliffs - doubt from L.L. Barkat

Re: Michael Hyatt, Stephen Mansfield, Tony Jones, and Me and You Talk Politics in Hell

Ted Gossard — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:09:07 -0000

I agree that we need to start with ourselves as to begin to understand where our "high calling" lies, first at home and then with the special works God seems to set before us, for which we're specially designed (Ephesians 2:10).

But we must work to bring it out into every area. After all, we're commanded to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength- and with that to love our neighbor as ourself, at the same time praying that God's will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So I think we have to work through the muck of politics and I don't think this election, for example, is a clear cut case of black and white. And even with the platforms of the two major parties- for me the same, not black versus white.

So I think we have to pray, to be in the word and seeking to meet the high calling of God for us in all of life, beginning where the rubber meets the road in our own lives, and then work at making the best judgment possible in voting come November.

I'm an Independent registered here in Michigan and have been kind of rethinking my anabaptism which is admittedly not entirely pure, anyhow, though anabaptism really includes a spectrum. But I think we Christians need to be involved in public life. Maybe it's the Calvinism where I live rubbing off on me a bit, but that part of it I think has a good point.

And I think as long as we're working through this, and trying to be informed as well as subjecting it all to God in prayer and our reading of Scripture, then I think we just have to make the best decision we can, and vote accordingly.

I know how I'd vote if I had to do so now, and I'll listen to both, and let the process play out, but I'll be glad when it's all said and done.

Ted Gossard's last blog post..quote of the week

Re: The Bestiary of a Good Blogger

Ted Gossard — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:37:51 -0000

I don't know, Marcus. But I'll go with the busyness of an ant, and working together with a common goal and purpose. I kind of like that.

Ted Gossard's last blog post.."Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion" from L.L. Barkat

Re: The Horror, The Horror

Ted Gossard — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:23:05 -0000

haha. I don't know. Life often reminds me of a horror story with some of its twists and quirks, as well as outright catastrophes.

But a good story is always good, imagination too. And to have a little chilling excitement should be a part of any good story, suspense, whatever.

But I guess I just can't stomach too well pure, unadulterated horror. Maybe a defect in me?!

Ted Gossards last blog post.."Indiana Jones - fear" from L.L. Barkat

Re: I’m Going to Be at GodBlogCon.com!

Ted Gossard — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:27:18 -0000

Sounds like fun for you!

Re: Do We Really Want Our President on Twitter?

Ted Gossard — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:36:41 -0000

Yes, Marcus. This could be all too consuming, yet if it's kept in a good place so that it would occupy, say a President Obama only for a small space of his time with good summaries, I think all well and good. And why not more communication through using YouTube and the like? We need more careful discourse and discussion, and hopefully getting away from the sound bite.

But just my small take.

Re: Out of the Closet - I Believe in Evolution

Ted Gossard — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:23:07 -0000

Marcus,
Good post and interesting thread.

I think evolutionists would say we didn't come strictly speaking from apes, but that apes and us came from the same ancestor.

I agree with the basics of what you say, though I am not sure I embrace it for myself, nor do I care much. I think it's a tragedy that young people lose their faith at the university, when they're taught a view which shatters what they were taught about creation from Genesis. As if the Bible stands or falls on such a view. Completely absurd I'm sad to say, I think!

I don't care how God created all things. I believe the Bible is true, and what we can learn from science is true as well. I say go ahead and put some weight on science, but let's remember too, that science itself is ever evolving as to its theories from its continued endeavor.

Just my two cents on this, where I'm at now.