Archive for October 2008
Failing to Succeed
Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 at 10:14 AM by David Zavadil
For quite some time now I have wanted to put some thoughts down on paper, or in this case computer, about the ministry. While I have only been in the pastorate for fifteen years, I have learned much, often through failure. The title reflects that sentiment, sometimes you have to fail in order to succeed. I have had my share of failures, so feel more than qualified to discuss this topic.
Over the course of my ministry, I have dealt with the usual stresses on the family, moves, graduations and school changes, learning new people and places, and suffered with bouts of depression. I have left a church for selfish reasons, another for protective reasons and have been asked to leave another. I have dealt with the brutal murder of a parishioner and endured a year with close to twenty funerals, performing seven funerals in one ten day stretch. I have struggled spiritually, going through deserts, and I have climbed spiritual mountains. In every life changing situation God has been at work, often despite me.
"Failing to Succeed" will be my attempt to vent and teach at the same time. I pray that the words I share will be of benefit to someone. If one person can learn something through what I have learned, I will be pleased. Join me then, in a journey, through failure to success
Posted in Failing to Succeed (RSS)
Bail out or Buyout?
Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 at 9:44 AM by David Zavadil
As if I need any more examples of why I am not happy with either of our candidates, here are a few items they both voted to pass in the "Bail out" Bill.
On pg 301 of the bill - ‘‘(B) EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN WOODEN ARROWSHAFTS.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations or artificial means of enhancing the spine of such shaft (whether sold separately or incorporated as part of a finished or unfinished product) of a type used in the manufacture of any arrow which after its assembly..."
From page 295 - SEC. 325. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF DUTY SUSPENSION ON WOOL PRODUCTS; WOOL RESEARCH FUND; WOOL DUTY REFUNDS.
Again from page 301 - SEC. 504. INCOME AVERAGING FOR AMOUNTS RECEIVED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXXON VALDEZ LITIGATION.
Here are a few others:
Sec. 308. Increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands.
Sec. 309. Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa.
Sec. 310. Extension of mine rescue team training credit.
Sec. 311. Extension of election to expense advanced mine safety equipment.
Sec. 312. Deduction allowable with respect to income attributable to domestic
production activities in Puerto Rico.
Sec. 313. Qualified zone academy bonds.
Sec. 314. Indian employment credit.
Sec. 315. Accelerated depreciation for business property on Indian reservations.
Sec. 316. Railroad track maintenance.
Sec. 317. Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track facility. - This one is a lulu
Two weeks ago we were told that it was imperative for the economy of not just our nation but the WORLD, that we pass the, then, three page "Bailout." The House failed to pass the 150+ page version. Our Senate, including the two primary presidential candidates and vp nominee, last night passed a monstrosity loaded with pork. I am praying that the House will once again "man up" and fail to pass this joke.
I have tried to stay away from political commentary, but American politics have become so ridiculous that staying away is becoming difficult.
Posted in Commentary (RSS)
Paradoxes
Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 at 2:08 PM by David Zavadil
Our lives seem to be one big paradox. We can sometimes feel we are doing great only to realize we have taken three steps backward. The healthy of us can actually be incubating a cancer within our body. This happens all too often in our walks with Christ. On the surface, to everyone else, we have it all together, but behind the scenes we find ourselves falling further from God.
I have been sharing jewels found in the book 
O CHANGELESS GOD,
Under the conviction of the Spirit I learn that
the more I do, the worse I am,
the more I know, the less I know,
the more holiness I have, the more sinful I am,
the more I love the more there is to love.
O wretched man that I am!
O Lord,
I have a wild heart,
and cannot stand before thee;
I am like a bird before a man.
How little I love thy truth and ways!
I neglect prayer,
by thinking I have prayed enough and earnestly,
by knowing thou has saved my soul.
Of all hypocrites, grant that I may not be an evangelical hypocrite,
who sins more safely because grace abounds,
who tells his lusts that Christ's blood cleanseth them,
who reasons that God cannot cast him into hell, for he is saved,
who loves evangelical preaching, churches, Christians, but lives unholily.
My mind is a bucket without a bottom,
with no spiritual understanding,
no desire for the Lord's Day,
ever learning but never reaching the truth,
always at the gospel-well but never holding water.
My conscience is without conviction or contrition,
with nothing to repent of.
My will is without power of decision or resolution.
My heart is without affection, and full of leaks.
My memory has no retention,
so I forget easily the lessons learned,
and thy truths seep away.
Give me a broken heart that yet carries home the water of grace.
Posted in Commentary (RSS), Fear of God (RSS), Mortification (RSS)