1) The two writers who make me wanna write the most these days are Hemingway and Marilynne Robinson. I think I get them. What they are doing with voice and the use of words. And their sparse handling.
2) I saw someone on social media say Mark Driscoll is far more of a man than his accusers. You know, that may be true of some of them. Since many are women.
3) My first thought, though completely foolish, when my daughter started having a fever, was Ebola. When a nurse who worked with an Ebola patient had a fever, she got on a plane.
4) Marilynne Robinson’s new novel is heartbreakingly good. I don’t know how she keeps doing this. It’s as good as the last two if not better.
5) Until the world doesn’t see our religious leaders as coddled, comfortable, and wealthy, we will continue to lose credibility.
6) Sometimes you just wanna hear, “I blew it. That was wrong.” It’s so rare in the business world and it’s rare in churches.
7) People have asked where I am in the search for a pastoral position. I’ve basically quit looking. It’s exhausting. I’ve come to terms with the idea I’m not what churches are looking for. Maybe that’s a really good thing, for me and them. So for the time being I’m hoping to find work that pays enough for my wife to no longer have to clean houses. And I’m writing.
8) A good book on a cool morning is a treasure worth seeking out.
9) My small group has been going though Yancey’s What’s So Amazing About Grace and I hate that we’ve come to the part about forgiveness. I’m not very good at forgiveness.
10) There is a loneliness that will never be solved by the presence of even the most loving people. I bump up against this often, I think. You’d think it would manifest itself in sadness. But often it’s anger. Rage. Cruelty. A coldness.
Echoes and Stars 
You are an awesome writer and thinker. I respect you greatly.
I hope you keep writing because I enjoy reading your thoughts.
#10 – I understand this. Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you for your transparency.
As a banker looking for a way out and God not opening doors, keep fighting the good fight, brother.
about 2) if Driscoll had stayed true to his manly ethos would he be quitting now?
Not that he shouldn’t have quit but he should avoid quitting Mars Hill as he quits its leadership. Five years of just being a member at the church he’s shaped for eighteen years might be just what he needs.
Tonight is another night where I realize that my idea of a fun evening is writing thousands of words.
The five year idea is probably the best idea I’ve heard.
it also looks like it couldn’t happen. BoE announcement today indicates Mark Driscoll not only resigned office but apparently also left the church.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2014/10/19/mars-hill-church-board-of-elders-mark-driscoll-resigned-instead-of-enter-restoration-plan-to-deal/
http://wenatcheethehatchet.blogspot.com/2014/10/wt-mars-hill-church-board-of-elders.html
Yep. Saw that earlier. This has been the modus operandi of his clones for years.
There are always going to be some people in ministry who *need* to be the boss and the center of attention. They’d rather abandon the ministry than humble themselves and submit to another’s leadership. I suppose that happens in secular organizations, too, but in the Church it looks and feels extra wrong.
Having the “need to be the leader” is the biggest reason to not be the leader in a body of believers. It’s not the world’s system that the Church desires to emulate. Why is it so hard to get this?
Sorry about the book, Matt. My mouth gaped in disbelief when I saw the write up of Horton’s newest book. I left a comment on the blog that had the review. I was upset with you.
7) People have asked where I am in the search for a pastoral position. I’ve basically quit looking. It’s exhausting. I’ve come to terms with the idea I’m not what churches are looking for. Maybe that’s a really good thing, for me and them. So for the time being I’m hoping to find work that pays enough for my wife to no longer have to clean houses.
I have never commented here before, but I have been reading for a long time. I know writing is not the same as pastoring a church, but you are helping more people than you know, which, in my opinion, is what a pastor is supposed to do. I think that your way of thinking is exactly what is needed in the church today. Thank you for continuing to write in spite of the challenges you are facing, it has really helped to encourage me.