We Won a Lamp Stand

Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don’t turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place.

(Revelation 2:5) Good News Translation

We (that’s me and the Holy spirit) influence in a way which is deliberately in-your-face and uncompromising. We’re like a drunken sailor fighting a bull in a china shop. The thing is, we also need to build relationships.

I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve.

(1 Peter 5:1-2) Good News Translation

This means that we have to avoid publicly identifying whoever we’re trying to communicate with and, at times, cover our tracks for the sake of peace.

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We all have the same evidence. Our choice of paradigm determines what we think it’s evidence of.

– Matty’s Razor

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On July 24 there was extra security at church. We’re such a notorious bad ass these days. To the Amazon queen who had the detail: if we ever need someone to shoot us, we definitely want it to be you.

I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them.

(Acts 20:29) Good News Translation

As a result, we had to turn up the heat on a situation which involves people that we would really like to work with, so, we’re going to delete the thread (number 3 below) which contains any identifying information. However, it was justified and appropriate so we’re going to preserve the four threads which, we hope, have now resolved our situation.

1. Is a response to circumstances necessary?
   • Is anyone in danger?
     • Yes, as it happens: the flock of God is about to be scattered by grievous wolves.
   • A response to circumstances is called for, to ensure that the offender doesn’t get away with a flagrant dereliction of duty which has put his institution on the wrong side of history.
     • I mean, who volunteers to be the bad guy in a Bible story?
2. Have you done everything that can be done?
   • We haven’t gone public here @Twitter with the details of the situation yet.
     • I was hoping to avoid it.
     • But all constraint has been lifted.
3. Have you warned everyone who needs to be warned?
   • A divinity school which not only lost God, but which has determined that no one else should ever find him either.
     • Don’t divinity schools teach people how to run churches?
     • Who will ever take you seriously again if you deliberately wrecked a well run church, scattered the flock and discarded its lamp stand?
     • How stupid do you think people are? Stupid enough to pay for that?
       • You should resign immediately sparring yourself, and the university president, any further embarrassment.
   • A university president at the beginning of her tenure who’s pragmatic attempt to avoid controversy will place herself and her university on the wrong side of history.
     • Deal with the wolf.
4. Have you quoted all of the scripture which needs to be quoted?
   • I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. (Acts 20:29) Good News Translation
   • I appeal to you 2 to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. (1 Peter 5:1-2) Good News Translation
   • Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don’t turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. (Revelation 2:5) Good News Translation