en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/697355 Comments by dbohlman http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=444#IDComment113549865 Amen to that! Fri, 3 Dec 2010 14:55:35 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=444#IDComment113549865 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=407#IDComment101956975 That's a great idea Brian. Maybe when I hear about things like that I need to ask the family to be there for a special prayer or something. I'll steal that idea lol! But, it also feeds into my frustration that I mentioned -- would people then come to church that day for the couple, or to encounter God? I have to assume that if they would not be in church that day without this special blessing for the couple, then they were there to see the couple, and not God. Dan. P.S. I look forward to checking out your site. Sat, 2 Oct 2010 13:11:54 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=407#IDComment101956975 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=395#IDComment98926826 Yes I have. though the language is a bit archaic, the theme is probably more relevant now than ever. God bless, Dan Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:29:30 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=395#IDComment98926826 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=367#IDComment89552324 \\\"Where two or three are gathered ...\\\" Right! It is one of those statements that we know is true, but it is hard to accept and acknowledge it on equal footing with churches with much larger numbers and activities. But we need to embrace it as one of God\\\'s wonderful realities. And thanks for your concern. God bless, Dan Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:54:25 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=367#IDComment89552324 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=367#IDComment89417900 Thank you so much for your prayers Jean. It was so ironic that Ann said that and the next day I read that comment from a church leader and it struck me how deep Jesus\\\' love for his church is and how much that must hurt the Lord. God bless, Dan Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:29:57 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=367#IDComment89417900 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=326#IDComment80253063 Pam, you bring up a very interesting point about filling pastoral vacancies in rural areas. Only last week I received an email from a person who really wants a rural call, but can't becuase she doesn't have a degree. I see pro's and con's on this issue and would love to get discussion going. May I have permission to post your comment as a blog and let the discussion get going? Let me know. God bless Dan and thanks for sharing Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:00:02 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=326#IDComment80253063 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=319#IDComment79603308 Thank you for your comments Dorene. If you have anything to add to it, please do. Dan Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:42:00 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=319#IDComment79603308 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=328#IDComment79464135 Lou, I think this is a great idea. Thanks for sharing it. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:48:33 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=328#IDComment79464135 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=326#IDComment79296611 Jean, your comments showed up today on the site. Sorry if you've been having trouble posting. If you are, please let me know. God bless, Dan Wed, 9 Jun 2010 13:25:48 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=326#IDComment79296611 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=322#IDComment77354046 Thank you so much Ivy. I appreciate your words and prayers. Dan Thu, 27 May 2010 18:03:17 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=322#IDComment77354046 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=293#IDComment66832229 Great answer and story -- Everyone needs to read this. It will be the April 9 blog. Please keep sharing your encouraging words. God bless, Dan Fri, 9 Apr 2010 16:56:13 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=293#IDComment66832229 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=261#IDComment58235558 Ivy, I'm sorry but I accidently erased instead of approving your comment. You mentioned Pappas' book about rural ministry and how that resignated with you. I had that as required reading when I was at the seminary as well. What is it that strikes you? Dan Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:56:01 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=261#IDComment58235558 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=107#IDComment55618715 I will be praying for you. I\\\'m sure God has plans for you. Dan Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:03:30 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=107#IDComment55618715 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=257#IDComment55618667 By all means feel free to use it and God bless you in your ministry! Dan Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:02:51 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=257#IDComment55618667 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=246#IDComment53971920 Dear Marty, Please know that you are making a difference. I know when we pastors go through times like you mentioned, we feel we need to do something more. Oh, how I wish I could cry out, "Be healed" touch them and have them bound out of their beds and dance. But that is God's job and he will do it either through a miracle or at the resurrection. I take solace in knowing no matter what, God WILL get the job done. As for us pastors, we are called to be holy lovers and that is enough. I have no doubt the family you are ministering to, feels that way. I hope God fills you with that thought, for I can tell you are someone who loves, for you wouldn't be in pain if it were otherwise. So God bless you, wounded healer. Dan Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:59:25 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=246#IDComment53971920 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=233#IDComment52835820 Ivory, yes, please share this site with anyone you feel would benefit from it. I'm really hoping this can become a place where rural/small town pastors and parishioners can gather to share joys, sorrows, challenges and victories. God bless, Dan Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:12:26 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=233#IDComment52835820 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=188#IDComment52835678 Thank you so much. God bless, Dan Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:11:14 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=188#IDComment52835678 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=241#IDComment52835592 Ivy, I'd love to hear your story about your feelings about your call to rural/small town ministry. I'd love to post it at this web site as well. __ Also I have a favor to ask you, the site you gave to look at your writing is somehow incorrect. Could you correct it, so we can get to it. Thanks so much and God bless you. Dan Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:10:27 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=241#IDComment52835592 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=204#IDComment43082517 I'll tell you, I love the passion of your reply! I always tell our congregations that 90% of the time I can't believe I get paid for doing what I do. And then 10%, I know I'm not getting paid enough. That always gets a chuckle. I am so happy to hear about your growth and your churches commitment to paying you guidelines. How long have you been a minister? For what happened in our parish is that at the start of my ministry years, they could keep up with guidelines, but as each year comes and goes my pay is supposed to keep rising and after 23 years of experience, the salary is just too high for them to get to. The shame of that is, that is when some wonderful pastors, who love rural ministry, leave. Do you think you'll hit that wall? If so, what will you do? God bless, and thanks for unfusing me with your energy. God bless, Dan Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:29:08 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=204#IDComment43082517 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=107#IDComment40988228 Jmc, I will be praying for you each morning. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:11:43 +0000 http://www.ruralminister.com/?p=107#IDComment40988228