Brief Moments

     Wondering through the alphabet this week on K for the A-to-Z Challenge Kerygma caught my eye as not typical.  It's a derivation of the Greek relating to preaching the good news of Christ, and more specifically translated in the New Testament in  Luke 4:18-19, Romans 10:14, Matthew 3:1 .      My spirituality is not a hidden characteristic, having portrayed Jesus for the Berrien County Council of Churches as well as Paul, Moses, and others for drama ministries around the turn of the century.  My theology also doesn't fit neatly into the boxes many denominations prescribe after having taught every book in the bible for adult studies for many years, and leading seminars on prayer as well.  Some theoretical discussion is available at Losing Common Knowledge , a previous post.      This post isn't about converting anyone from what they believe to what I may believe, which continues to grow and change...

     As we continue with the A-Z blogging challenge I'm highly dubious of the competency of our government right now.  I got a letter last week from the IRS stating that in auditing my 2011 tax returns I'd missed $7,075 dollars in income and owed them $4,000 in taxes and penalties next week.      Just to be clear, I worked seven part time positions that year, mostly as adjunct faculty at both graduate and undergraduate institutions and made less than $50,000 total.  I did have two 1099's (not W2's) that year, which coincidentally, added up to $7,075.00 and show on Schedule C of the tax return as self-employed income which I've had some variation of since 1982 without ceasing.  That would be on page 4, where 1099's go, not on page 1, where W2's go.     In a week where I'll put in over 70 hours for five different employers while finding time to complete the homework for my ongoing PhD I was actually able to laugh ...

    An interesting conundrum struck me yesterday as I contemplated the letter Z ahead of schedule in the Blogging Challenge.  You see, according to 1986 Webster's dictionary at my desk we have these two definitions: Zealous: full of, characterized by, or showing zeal; ardently devoted to purpose; enthusiastic. Zealot: a person who is zealous to an extreme or excessive degree, fanatic.        I'd like to think I'm ardently devoted to purpose and enthusiastic in several veins.  My wife and three sons. Helping others discover new knowledge and capabilities, then walk in them.  Self-sacrifice, leadership, and vision.  Life long learning, innovation and adaptability.  Helping develop teams, organizations and communities in ways that lift up the majority of the citizens instead of a select few.  Being open to hearing the Voice of God in my faith without condemning others (because that's not my job).  Facilitating...