Bearded Theologians

We Got This… Whatever this is…

  • Day 32 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Day 32 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    Lord, my heart isn’t proud; my eyes aren’t conceited.

    I don’t get involved with things too great or wonderful for me.

    No. But I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child on its mother;

    I’m like the weaned child that is with me. Israel, wait for the Lord—
    from now until forever from now! Amen. Psalm 131

     

    Scripture Reading  Proverbs 27

     

    Hymn“Let Us Pray To The Lord”

    United Methodist Hymnal 485

    Let us pray to the Lord.

    Lord, have mercy.

    Christ, have mercy.

    Lord, have mercy.

    Closing Prayer

    The Lord’s Prayer

    Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

    Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread.

    And forgive us our trespasses,  as we forgive those who trespass against us.

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

    For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

  • First Timer Lent and Mindfulness

    First Timer Lent and Mindfulness

    Lent. It is one of those interesting times that has divided the evangelical world (as originally termed by Luther) from the liturgical world. So many from the evangelical side have shunned lent, among many other celebrations and observations. While religion and religious rites were once an instrument of social control, in today’s day and age, that is no longer a factor in most areas of the world. However, observations like Lent have a new place among the world these days.

    A step back from this momentary quick start… I have grown up in the evangelical side of Christianity. I am a preacher’s kid and have a lifetime of exposure to religious atmosphere. Like many kids, I grew up learning my parents’ beliefs and understandings. As I got older and branched out in life on my own, my belief never wavered. However, I turned into what you may call a religious academic. I have known the stories. I’ve known the text. I’ve known the morals of the stories. I’ve known that the Jewish storytelling tradition was basically the same as anywhere in the known world at the time (think Aesop). It wasn’t about the facts. It was about the moral of the story.

    I have grown more and more interested in the facts that go along with the stories. To me, they’ve provided more of an understanding. Instead of a lot of the speculation and interpretation that goes on with scripture, context explains exactly what was being told.

    So, for me, this gives a new context to observations like Lent. No longer is it about social religious control. No longer is it about ritual. To me, it’s about differentiation. (Ask a teacher.) People understand the same idea, facts, and context in different ways. For a better understanding of what your God has done for you, maybe you leave the secular and the ritual behind. If an observation of Lent helps you be more mindful, then more power to you. If observing Easter as the day Jesus was crucified helps you understand the physical suffering that was not necessary, then go forth. They are organized observations that help those of us who need formal construct to help our mindfulness.

    My observation of Lent has not been big, as this is my first year on this journey about mindfulness. But I can tell you that I have done two things. One, I went for an Ash Wednesday blessing. I appreciate the pastors who offer the quick blessings, including the one I went to. It was simple and straightforward, but something I can say I’ve never had a blessing directed just at me in that manner. I did not wear my ashes all day because I am so uncomfortable being addressed out of the blue for anything, even if it is a good thing, and have trouble interacting at that point. However, the blessing and the smell of the ashes stayed with me all day. I have not given up anything for Lent, but I have been observing (to the best of my ability) a photo of the day challenge on a social media account. I’ve played catch up if I have missed a day. And I have appreciated the formal construct to help my mindfulness.

    63618_182980491719336_5407577_nTim is a project management consultant out of Lubbock, Texas. He’s been married to his wife, Tara (who went to high school with Zach), since 2009. They have a son, Jameson, age 3. Tim is an alum of Lubbock Christian University and Arizona State University.
  • Day 31 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Day 31 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    Lord, my heart isn’t proud; my eyes aren’t conceited.
        I don’t get involved with things too great or wonderful for me. No. But I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child on its mother;
        I’m like the weaned child that is with me. Israel, wait for the Lord—
        from now until forever from now! Amen. Psalm 131

     

    Scripture Reading Proverbs 26

     

    Hymn“Let Us Pray To The Lord”

    United Methodist Hymnal 485

    Let us pray to the Lord.

    Lord, have mercy.

    Christ, have mercy.

    Lord, have mercy.

    Closing Prayer

    The Lord’s Prayer

    Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

    Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread.

    And forgive us our trespasses,  as we forgive those who trespass against us.

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

    For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

  • Day 30 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Day 30 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Amen.   ~Psalm 42:1, 5

    Scripture Reading  Psalm 121

    Hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” The Faith We Sing 2158 (Verse 3)

      When my feeble life is o’er, Time for me will be no more;
        Guide me gently, safely o’er To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore
       Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
       Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by John Wesley

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

  • Day 29 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Amen.  ~Psalm 42:1, 5

    Scripture Reading  Proverbs 25

    Hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” The Faith We Sing 2158 (Verse 2)

      Thro’ this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares?
       Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee
       Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
       Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by John Wesley

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

  • Day 28 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Amen.   ~Psalm 42:1, 5

    Scripture Reading  Proverbs 24

    Hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” The Faith We Sing 2158 (Verse 1)

    I am weak but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
    I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
    Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
    Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by John Wesley

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

  • Day 27 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Amen.   ~Psalm 42:1, 5 

    Scripture Reading  Proverbs 23

    Hymn: “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” The Faith We Sing 2158 (Verse 3)

    When my feeble life is o’er, Time for me will be no more;
    Guide me gently, safely o’er To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
    Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
    Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by John Wesley

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

     

  • Beardcast for 3.30.17 with Special Guest Rev. Matt Miofsky

    Beardcast for 3.30.17 with Special Guest Rev. Matt Miofsky

    Today we have the Rev. Matt Miofsky who is the Pastor at The Gathering an United Methodist Church in St. Louis. He wrote a book called  happy? what it is and how to find it.  You can find it on Amazon and Cokesbury.

    Find more of our Beardcast here.

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  • DAY 26 OF 40 DAYS OF BEARDEDNESS LENTEN JOURNEY

    DAY 26 OF 40 DAYS OF BEARDEDNESS LENTEN JOURNEY

    Opening Prayer

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Amen.   ~Psalm 42:1, 5

    Scripture Reading Proverbs 22

    Hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” The Faith We Sing 2158 (Verse 2)

       Thro’ this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares?
       Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee
       Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
       Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by John Wesley

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

  • Day 25 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Day 25 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Opening Prayer

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Amen.   ~Psalm 42:1, 5

    Scripture Reading  Proverbs 21

     

    Hymn “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” The Faith We Sing 2158 (Verse 1)

    I am weak but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
    I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
    Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
    Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by John Wesley

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

  • No Chocolate. 46 days. by Kelly Carpenter

    No Chocolate. 46 days. by Kelly Carpenter

    Haters gunna hate and it makes me a little sad each time someone slights the practice of giving up chocolate fornochocolate.jpeg Lent. I do it. I’ve done it since the 6th grade. I cannot come up with anything else that I have elected to do by choice every year since the 6th grade. So, why stop now? Shake it off.

    The bigger question for me and Lent is WHY chocolate. When Lent and the concept of fasting was first described to me around 6th grade it was more about what would provide a daily (or more) reminder to connect to Jesus. It was also about giving up vices which is why soda took the Lenten road in the 10th grade and just never came back.

    I LOVE me some chocolate. ALL chocolate. Except when it is ruined with mint.

    I reach for chocolate at least several times every day. During these seasons of withdrawal abstaining, I find myself reminded to re-center upon God in little moments that might otherwise pass by unnoticed. I become glaringly aware of how often I think about, crave and do something about my love of chocolate vs. how rarely in a day I actively think about, crave and do something about my love of God.

    Okay, I confess, it is not just chocolate or soda, there was one year without meat and those years sacrificing all things sweet. But Lent is about more than food (is anything not about food though?) But seriously, I also take up a spiritual practice during Lent each year as well. Anything from new daily devotionals, walking meditations, photo meditations, Hatmaker’s 7, and so forth. This year I’ve taken on a daily prayer of self-examination. I feel that I am in a place of both contentment and complacency with God and am feeling the need to very intentionally ‘check-in’. Life is in a crazy phase with job responsibilities shifting, my first nephew arriving and our own first baby on the way (hence the obsession with food?), so in practical ways God is doing a lot in my life right now.

    At the same time, God also seems pretty quiet.

    I just feel complacent when it comes to my own faith journey.

    Then on that 13th day my Lenten journeys collided. During a committee meeting lunch.

    I routinely filled my plate answering mental question as I picked up each item: will I feel averse to the taste of chicken today? Will the baked beans give me indigestion? Can I eat potato salad or is that a pregnancy no-no? Grabbed the big ole’ classic church meal chocolate chip cookie and went to my seat. After finishing the meal that passed all the tests for pregnancy eating, I cleared my plate and took a huge bite of that cookie….

    Ah! Mouth. Full. I realized instantly what I had done.

    My journeys had collided. I spent great mental work to determine every bite related to the development of Woodchuck (that’s our fetus’ name). I was grateful to those who prepared the meal. I was intentional to eat enough to nourish but not too much to upset the delicate balance of the pregnancy digestive system. I spent no time. No mental energy. Not the slightest thought to my spiritual practice. My complacency hit me right between the taste-buds.

    So, once again I’ll let the haters hate because chocolate has opened the way for God and I to have more unexpected moments than I could ever account for. (yeah, I spit out the bite, washed my mouth immediately and waited a solid hour before going for one of the oatmeal raisin cookie…give a pregnant woman a break!)

    What is keeping you from God? What could you do for these remaining days of Lent to encounter God in surprising moments throughout the basic tasks of daily living?

    Do it. Give it up. Take it on.

    Own it like Marion Kelly walks into a room.

    marionkelly.gif

    KellyBioPhoto.jpgKelly Carpenter works in Faith Formation at the Center for Leadership Development of the North Texas UMC. She also serves as co-executive director of Reaching Others Through Christ Jr High Missions (ROTCmissions.org). Kelly attended Texas Christian University where she received her BFA in Theatre Scene Design. She attended Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA where she received her Masters of Theological Studies in Religion and Art. She grew up in the United Methodist Church serving on local and conference councils as a youth, working in camping and campus ministry through college and serving on local church staffs for over 10 years.

  • Day 24 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Day 24 of 40 Days of Beardedness Lenten Journey

    Lent is a season of reflection use this daily way to spend time growing closer to God. You can download the whole 40 day’s of Beardedness for free (Here)!

    The 40 Days of Beardedness is for you to use as a liturgical journey through Lent.  This journey starts with an opening prayer from the Psalms, Scripture readings through the book of Proverbs and a few Psalms, Lenten inspired hymns, and a closing prayer by Saints, Historical Leaders, and a Pastor Poet.  We do not guarantee that you will have a better beard by Easter but our hope and prayer is that your relationship with God, People, and yourself are stronger and deeper than ever.

    Opening Prayer

    Psalm  30:6-10(Common English Bible)

    When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”  Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help. ”  Amen.  

    Scripture Reading:

    Psalm 117

    Hymn

    “Jesus Paid It All” Worship & Song 3100 (Verse 2)

    I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small,
    Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”
    Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
    Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

     

    Closing Prayer

    Prayer by Rev. Dale Fredrickson

    You have power, swinging with you, a defiant wind

    Love in your wings

    Where there is evil, injustice, and opposition

    Be the voice, the velocity That stirs the earth

    The lament That heals people

    The poem That dreams again

    The hurricane Of resistance

    For those who cannot breathe. Amen