tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.comments2020-04-03T20:15:21.089-07:00PlainclothesThomas Allbaughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-23787863909915119372018-05-24T09:42:30.132-07:002018-05-24T09:42:30.132-07:00Thank you for your kind words, Janice. I know that...Thank you for your kind words, Janice. I know that you know what I'm talking about. Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-21699635013695925112018-05-24T09:39:02.544-07:002018-05-24T09:39:02.544-07:00Prayers for you as you contemplate this decision. ...Prayers for you as you contemplate this decision. You have a beautiful heart and I know if you follow your heart you will make the right decision. I love that you have kept a journal through the grieving process as I know personally how writing about your feelings helps so very much. Janice Vancenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-4120079527242046382018-01-29T07:32:49.558-08:002018-01-29T07:32:49.558-08:00I'm grateful for these words, Dr. Allbaugh. T...I'm grateful for these words, Dr. Allbaugh. Thank you for letting your readers enter inside this experience with you. 💙 You and your family are in my heart.kate.ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485230511674215424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-34757304562799233612018-01-16T17:51:32.463-08:002018-01-16T17:51:32.463-08:00Dave, thank you for your kind comments. Isn't ...Dave, thank you for your kind comments. Isn't it a struggle that we are always having to define our work in terms of some marketing ploy? As we are both writing "mainstream" work, contemporary, it is difficult sometimes to place it in a category where others will recognize its value. But why can't the stories be understood on their own merit? Again, thanks for your comment, Dave. Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-76037630331021542272018-01-16T17:28:03.609-08:002018-01-16T17:28:03.609-08:00As a writer myself, I really appreciated the discu...As a writer myself, I really appreciated the discussion about genre. I can classify my novels, but I don't really like to. They are stories. The rest is a marketing tool. Also, thank you for defining "literary" in a way I don't normally think about the modifier. Good analysis, as always.Dave Milbrandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375519393030817456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-11470945700403865662017-11-28T23:53:08.547-08:002017-11-28T23:53:08.547-08:00This resonates deeply.This resonates deeply.sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15065381471601367478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-24341997028711230132017-11-28T18:48:50.467-08:002017-11-28T18:48:50.467-08:00Wellput.Wellput.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513777993376875389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-10033410615873279022017-11-28T18:48:29.656-08:002017-11-28T18:48:29.656-08:00Well put.Well put.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513777993376875389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-51473003537420434232017-11-28T17:17:41.395-08:002017-11-28T17:17:41.395-08:00Well said. Hugs and love to you, Bernadette, and ...Well said. Hugs and love to you, Bernadette, and Matthew.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16522718173801676503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-51361652875497718942017-01-30T23:00:22.113-08:002017-01-30T23:00:22.113-08:00I think we often get leaders that are *better* tha...I think we often get leaders that are *better* than we deserve, but I'm kind of cynical that way! I love the perspective that Nebuchadnezzar gives us, in the chapter of Daniel which he basically wrote (chapter 4) - the idea is expressed twice within the chapter, the first time is part of the dream sequence, from verse 17: “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers<br />And the decision is a command of the holy ones,<br />In order that the living may know<br />That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,<br />And bestows it on whom He wishes<br />And sets over it the lowliest of men.”<br /><br />So I know that no one wins an election without at least God's permission. I have viewed certain presidents as judgments on the nation ("You want some of that? Okay, here, have a whole lot of that!") and other presidents as "a new chance." No doubt many of my friends and I would hold reverse opinions as to who was a judgment and who was another opportunity and, ultimately, that's not my call anyway.<br /><br />But I do think it's a critical time to be praying for the President, for our leaders, for the nation - I think of Jeremiah 29, you know how everybody claims verse 11 ("For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."), but too often miss the context of that great promise: (starting at verse 4)<br />“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD.<br />“For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’<br /><br />The good news is that, as Christians, we know that our PERMANENT life is not on this planet Earth - but it's still easy to get caught up by the zeitgeist and we can resist even *hearing* God, especially if He says, "Settle down, pray for the peace and prosperity of the land into which I sent you in exile, because you're going to be there for awhile and as it prospers, you will prosper."<br /><br />I fear there are a lot of people who *want* to see President Trump fail, as if that would vindicate them in some way. Weird. Because, of course, we can't do an A/B test - we can't live this next four years and then go back and RE-live the next four years with HRC in the White House. Best outcome, for everyone interested in the good of the nation and the good of the people (as opposed to political power), is that this administration does well and does good work. I prayed for the last administration. I pray for this one.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18011571798292504296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-74601564595476947832017-01-30T22:36:45.774-08:002017-01-30T22:36:45.774-08:00It's a compelling piece of music - and while T...It's a compelling piece of music - and while Townsend was reaching for something he couldn't quite attain, what he DOES attain is pretty great. I even like the movie, as flawed as it is... Good thoughts!Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18011571798292504296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-85866353159781655762016-06-10T21:09:30.590-07:002016-06-10T21:09:30.590-07:00That last paragraph, so much truth!That last paragraph, so much truth!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-52209067128407337912016-04-27T14:12:48.412-07:002016-04-27T14:12:48.412-07:00Thanks, Mark. I can sense when I need a break. One...Thanks, Mark. I can sense when I need a break. One of my colleagues is making a point to look around him more. I hope you can break out soon. Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-34659408800566921472016-04-27T09:59:59.313-07:002016-04-27T09:59:59.313-07:00Good article, Tom. For myself, I have been living ...Good article, Tom. For myself, I have been living in the routine for a little too long. I need to break out for a while.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16391660618856607784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-52806122554819426152016-04-13T14:35:08.962-07:002016-04-13T14:35:08.962-07:00Thanks, Jane. I'd love to read some of your bl...Thanks, Jane. I'd love to read some of your blogging and insights on this subject. Glad you will teach this fall.Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-17045492983291016002016-04-13T12:03:30.649-07:002016-04-13T12:03:30.649-07:00This is a wonderful meditation and essay. During H...This is a wonderful meditation and essay. During Holy Week this year I was also blogging and meditating on some of what you have written! I LOL'd with understanding your comment about "I usually think of in the way I think of myself" -- indeed and yes! This has also been a year I have spent reading NT Wright and he is quite helpful in understanding in a "useful" way the 1st century Jewish and Hellenistic cultures and the historical Jesus -- and then with a neat little paradigm shift -- helping reality break through on our Christian beliefs today and where we have sort of hit the slippery slope and kept sliding. I think your comments on The Saturday speak well to that part of our current dilemma as believers. A good nudge which we all need -- I in fact need daily. You are a delightful writer -- I must ashamedly confess I am finally now finishing up Pretexts -- gearing up for the Fall FWS. Great. Thank you for as you say on p.17,your ideas, and words that "have been said by someone a lot smarter than Jane Tawel"! Hope all is well with you and yours.Jane Tawelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212294495983925970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-84710997760229464382016-03-26T21:17:29.265-07:002016-03-26T21:17:29.265-07:00Thanks, Joe. I even have forgotten what the church...Thanks, Joe. I even have forgotten what the church has named this Saturday to be. I know Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but what is Saturday? I agree about the George MacDonald quote. It has been instructive to me during many seasons.Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-35502471723893923362016-03-26T20:00:51.458-07:002016-03-26T20:00:51.458-07:00Thanks for this reflection, Tom. It's easy to ...Thanks for this reflection, Tom. It's easy to pretty much skip over Saturday in the Easter tradition. I had not read that George MacDonald quote, but it is powerful. Joseph Bentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01394434528249071565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-59908794378386843562016-03-07T08:18:02.362-08:002016-03-07T08:18:02.362-08:00Sincèrement- essay writer. essay writersSincèrement- essay writer. <a href="http://awriter.org" rel="nofollow">essay writers</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05462925562824448798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-33898996734031061482015-08-05T09:46:19.333-07:002015-08-05T09:46:19.333-07:00I agree. While there's plenty for the usual TV...I agree. While there's plenty for the usual TV crowd, the series also provides a lot of serious fodder for spiritual thought and ethical debate. My wife and I will turn to each other and say, "What would you do?" That, to me, is one sign of a good show.Ron Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16773387327349316591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-52722568424707199242015-05-23T06:53:20.385-07:002015-05-23T06:53:20.385-07:00Thanks, Lynn. And I agree with you about "buc...Thanks, Lynn. And I agree with you about "bucket lists." I have always thought of this idea as bizarre. Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-15016938322248175392015-05-22T21:45:06.444-07:002015-05-22T21:45:06.444-07:00It seems to me that a "bucket list" is s...It seems to me that a "bucket list" is something of a conceit marking a society quite out of direct touch of the need to grow food, raise animals, weave cloth, etc. - I suspect that if you'd asked 90% of humans who have lived on this planet, the very concept would be bizarre! Only the very wealthy, in the past, might have indulged in such a concept, and now, those of us who have sufficient resources and time to entertain the notion.<br /><br />So I quite applaud your spirit of gratitude! And I'm really pleased to hear about the momentum which the project has gained - yay!!Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18011571798292504296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-49726262981528518352014-07-03T02:10:19.066-07:002014-07-03T02:10:19.066-07:00Amen!Amen!Gary Olsen-Hasekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18245571981565988728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-33026878965130094912014-05-26T11:49:05.621-07:002014-05-26T11:49:05.621-07:00Liz, you capture this "rhetorical move" ...Liz, you capture this "rhetorical move" well. A student in a senior seminar paper I read once stopped to define the word "movie." Really? Do I need this defined? The dictionary quote seems a very basic strategy, taught in high school, but one that we teach college students not to use, unless the writer is going to enrich or turn the rather bland dictionary definition upside down. It just seems evidence to me of writers and speakers who haven't moved beyond the most basic instructions for speech writing. Thomas Allbaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13772578540974811621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255149130174613621.post-71201424409968580332014-05-26T11:42:38.290-07:002014-05-26T11:42:38.290-07:00Tom - I have wondered about the "dictionary d...Tom - I have wondered about the "dictionary definition" that is used in so many speeches...and don't understand this at all (perhaps another definition is in order - such as Why?)...does it presume we don't know what the term means (like "graduation"?). Let's use this as a challenge for future commencement speakers...<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08341536157471207878noreply@blogger.com