I like meat!

My wife would be embarrassed if she knew I was telling everyone this story but sometimes it is fun to reveal just how much of a hick I really am. We recently went on a cruise. It was a lot of fun. I enjoy them a great deal. The best part is that you don't have any phone service when you are in the water. I like that. The first day was a lot of fun. We got to Fort Lauderdale about noon and we were on the boat by 2 or so. We hadn't eaten much all day and I was ready for supper. Supper time came. I put on my nice boots, my nice pants yada yada yada. When you go on a cruise the food is included in your package. You don't pay extra. They bring you a menu and you choose from a wonderful list of food. The first night prime rib was on the menu. I love prime rib. We can't really afford to go and eat prime rib now because we are both back in school. When I die if I go to hell there will be a prime rib in an oven that can't open. If I go to heaven I'll eat it everyday. Anyway, needless to say I ordered the prime rib. Ate it with a smile in every bite. Well the waiter was from Honduras and spoke Spanish. My wife does not speak Spanish. My wife would gasp if I ordered a second prime rib. Being the good husband I am and not wanting to worry my wife I ordered it in Spanish. When the waiter came back with my second slab of meat my wife looked at me with that look that many of us unsophisticated people get from time to time. I ate. She bowed her head. I am not sure if it was to pray or in embarrassment. I was happy. I love meat.

I am not a preacher

Though the decision was difficult I have decided to leave full time ministry. I am not a "pastor" and preachers have been relegated to this position. I have the highest respect and admiration for those who can juggle the two sides. I could not. It is not a statement of defeat but I was growing increasingly frustrated, as well, my convictions about the church have changed. I believe it would have been more divisive in the end than unifying. Many will make statements about the "real" reason I left the ministry. Their character has been a sad disappointment in the last few months and quite frankly they are wrong. I left the ministry for the above reasons. Later you will read posts as to the exact nature of my changing convictions. Until then please know that I have not fallen away by my new convictions. For now I will say that I had to remain moderately convicted if I was going to remain peaceful and non-divisive in the churches of Christ, this would help no person.