Our conversation raised another issue as well. I had quoted rather extensively from J.R.R. Tolkien's essay On Fairy-Stories. I have quoted from this essay many times over the years, though never in so extensive -- and personal -- a way. When he complimented me on my use of it, I said that it was unusual for me to do what I did. He asked why. I replied, off-handedly, that I had learned years ago not to bore people too much with my personal enthusiasms. That mystified him. Why not share what moves you so deeply? Ah, but I remember being savagely put down for my enthusiasms, both as a college student and as a young preacher. Maybe now that I'm middle-aged, my enthusiasms and eccentricities have become part of my charm. But it wasn't always so.
That'll preach
Our conversation raised another issue as well. I had quoted rather extensively from J.R.R. Tolkien's essay On Fairy-Stories. I have quoted from this essay many times over the years, though never in so extensive -- and personal -- a way. When he complimented me on my use of it, I said that it was unusual for me to do what I did. He asked why. I replied, off-handedly, that I had learned years ago not to bore people too much with my personal enthusiasms. That mystified him. Why not share what moves you so deeply? Ah, but I remember being savagely put down for my enthusiasms, both as a college student and as a young preacher. Maybe now that I'm middle-aged, my enthusiasms and eccentricities have become part of my charm. But it wasn't always so.
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What does the sign signify?
I read an interesting investigative blogpost on the Eagle Rank recently which confirmed my impressions of what is going on with Scouting’s highest…
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My goodness, has it been that long?
This spring is the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation. (It’s also the 30th anniversary of my Ph.D. commencement.) The three most useful…
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On preaching
My first appointment as a student pastor was in 1976. With only a year of seminary under my belt, I was made the pastor of three churches. Every…
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