Author Archives: Paul Harris

About Paul Harris

Pastor Harris retired from congregational ministry after 40 years in office on 31 December 2023. He is now devoting himself to being a husband, father, and grandfather. He still thinks cenobitic monasticism is overrated and cave dwelling under.

I Know Why the Widemouthed Frog Mumbles

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Paul Harris

With apologies to Maya Angelou, I begin. I know why the widemouthed frog mumbles.  Actually I now know why the LCMS does. First the widemouthed frog.

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Where Have all the Criminals Gone?

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Paul Harris

I’ve always liked “Where Have all the Flowers Gone?”  Most people think it cheesy.  It began as Pete Seeger folk song in 1955 with three verses.  In 1960 Joe Hickerson added the rest turning the song into a circular hit … Continue reading →

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“Of God and Gays and Humility”

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Paul Harris

That’s not my title that’s Jon Meacham’s, the former executive editor of Newsweek and now executive editor at Random House.  His article is in the July 30, 2012 issue of Time.  The upshot of the article is that if you … Continue reading →

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Suicide, Social Contract, and Synod Leaving

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Paul Harris

This has been ruminating in my thoughts since Easter 2009.  No, it was before that.  Circa 2001 a Fort Wayne Seminary student in town working at summer job said, “Leave Synod and you die.”

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Roadmap for the Emergent Church

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Paul Harris

The title should read “Insurgent Church” for that is what is among us and has been ever since they first went out from us because they were not of us ( I John 2:19).

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A Leap out of the Faith

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Paul Harris

I commend to you the 1993 Steve Martin move “Leap of Faith.”  If Steve Martin is not enough to grab your attention try Debra Winger, Liam Nielsen, and Phillip Seymour Hoffmann.  The error a leap of faith, portrayed so well … Continue reading →

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“Joy and disbelief greet Obama’s support of same-sex marriage”

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Paul Harris

That was the LA Times banner headline on May 9.  Let’s see if we can do that with any of the other Commandments.

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You May be Right I May Be Crazy

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Paul Harris

The word “may” in the title to this Billy Joel song is the operative word, and as we are perched on the cusp of the newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (DSM) the “mayness” of … Continue reading →

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Art Matters

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Paul Harris

No artist I, not even a little, not by a long shot, but I do know art matters.

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LCMS 2.0 Continues

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Paul Harris

The April Reporter sports a blue LCMS cross. We who formerly preached under the burgundy cross are going to switch to a new color.  Blue is one choice.  Just like Wal-Mart has gone from brown, to blue, to tan, so … Continue reading →

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