God is a God of great kindness.  See Joel chapter 2.  He has shown that kindness to us in so many ways.  He has also called us to be kind to one another.  The Bible clearly says, "be ye kind one to another..."  Kindness is a choice.  Are we making the right choice in our lives each day?   Want to support the podcast and the work that I am doing? Check out my Patreon page  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

I come from a strong King James Bible background.  It is the Bible I have read, memorized, studied, and listened to for 41 years.  I love it.  I also love Psalm 12, and the wonderful promises God makes in that short 8 verse chapter.  Sadly, many in my circles use Psalm 12, and specifically verses 6-7 as a proof text for the KJB being the only perfect and preserved word of God for the English-speaking people.  This episode is not intended to take issue with that position, only to challenge the use of Psalm 12 to support it.   I simply do not agree with the use of Psalm 12 in this way.  I wanted to make an episode to discuss what I think Psalm 12 actually says, in the hopes that it will help someone who is willing to hear it.  I am not intending to bring fire down upon myself, though I am prepared should that happen.   I hope you will hear what I have to say, as well as the spirit in which I am saying it.  Please contact me if you have any questions.   [email protected] --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

Through the years, God has used many men who were not educated at either the high school or college level.  These men were ignorant in the eyes of the world.  Sadly, some today are patterning their ministry after those men, not in power, but in education.  In this episode, I just want to talk with you about ignorance and intelligence.  Should be fun! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

Do you know how often we run scripts in our daily conversations and interactions?  It's a lot!  Most of the time we do it without even recognizing it.  That is the point of scripts.  We can run them without thinking, while our brains are engaged elsewhere.  To some extent, this is normal and even necessary, but it can hinder us from engaging in authentic conversations with the people we meet every day.  In this episode, I talk about scripts and challenge you to look for them, and to break out of them for the purpose of actual engagement for the cause of Christ. Support my podcast and the work I am doing at Patreon.com/ThisPoorPastor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

Do you know what an Idealized Cognitive Model is?  Do you think you have one?  Does it affect how we do church, or how we view other churches?  I think the answer is yes. I want to talk to you about this topic today, and hopefully, challenge you to think about how you view the church and the world around you. Want to support the work that I am doing on this podcast?  I would appreciate it very much!  Go to www.patreon.com/thispoorpastor to see the options that are available.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

Have you stopped learning?  Did you graduate from seminary or Bible college and feel like now you were the teacher and your congregation is the student body?  In this episode, I want to talk to you about some of my recent ruminations on life and learning as a result of my first child graduating from high school.  Want to support this podcast and the work that I am doing?  I'd appreciate it! www.patreon.com/thispoorpastor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

Some days I really hate preaching.  Especially when the message isn't uplifting.  Nothing is more difficult to teach and preach about than the potential of persecution.  Sometimes people don't want to hear it.  However, I have been under such a burden to prepare our congregation for the potential of persecution.  I want to talk about that in today's episode. Want to support this podcast?  Check out my Patreon page and see how you can help!  Patreon.com/ThisPoorPastor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

Have you ever had to do community service?  Would you consider doing some?  Do you have to choose between evangelism and community involvement?  Do you think that evangelism is community involvement?  In this 50th episode, I want to talk to you about some ways you can consider getting involved.  There are many more than the ones I have talked about.  I'd love to hear your thoughts! To support this podcast and get additional videos and articles by Mark, go to Patreon.com/ThisPoorPastor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

It is predicatable.  Let someone in the ministry talk about someone who has made an impact on their life, and you will hear the charge, "Hero worship!"  Is it wrong to follow other men?  Is it even possible or advisable to seek to follow only Christ?  And what is a hero anyway?  Are we all heroes?  Should I discourage someone from following me for fear they will worship me?   These and other questions and topics will be discussed in today's episode!   To support this podcast, go to Patreon.com and become a subscriber, for extra content and my undying gratitude! www.patreon.com/thispoorpastor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support

If you love missions and missionaries as I do, you may be hesitant to address the minefield that exists in navigating those relationships.  I want to give a voice to some of the issues I have faced in my churches over the last 16 years, and maybe encourage you.  Hopefully, it will help you navigate, or even avoid some of the problems I have had.  I would love to hear your feedback on this. As I mentioned in this podcast, my new patreon page is live.  If you would like to be a financial supporter, take a look and be among the first to join!  Thank you.  www.patreon.com/ThisPoorPastor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thispoorpastor/support