Anonymous Letters and Blogging.

Thank you for your apology to the anonymous writer. I did use my name and a legitimate personal email account and you still took my comment down after first posting it.

I agree that a blog is personal property, however, when we are in positions of prominence, there are things that are appropriate and INappropriate to write in areas such as blogs for the whole world to see, like you did with the "stupid" posts.

I appreciate you allowing me to voice my opinion.
The LORD be with you.

Thanks, Melissa. I don't remember which post was yours but we must have felt badly about the way your opinion was expressed. Either way, I am listening and learning. My big error was using the word stupid in regard to the anonymous person specifically. I surely didn't mean that and was trying to be funny, but I get it that people don't get that, and that I didn't get it for a while either. I do now! :) Not funny, not appropriate, not ever. Too bad I didn't leave that part out, cause the rest of it was kiiiinnnndaaaa funny, a bit . . .

james

Thanks for apologizing. My respect for you went up. Keep it real.

Do mind if I make a stupid comment here? Couldn't get past error elsewhere.
Is stupid the same as a fool? Maybe fool is the biblical word for stupid. But, only people can be fools,right? And action & animals can be stupid. I guess fools do stupid things.

I ran into a stupid snowbank the other day backing out of my driveway. I dug myself out and was like "HA! Stupid snowbank. You can't come to the GYM with me." Then the next day the plow cut off our driveway with a big snowbank, which I got the chance to shovel and help some kids make a fort across the road. Maybe snowbanks (or the God who made them) aren't so stupid after all. :) Keep on keepin' it real.

Dear Pastor James,

I write to you not to comment on the attached Blog, but because this is the first avenue open I have found to write to you in person. I wanted to thank-you with every inch of my soul and thank GOD for placing you where you are. I have been seaching a very longtime for a pathway and a map to find Jesus. You have become that map. I spent many hours in church and with my busy life tried to read and understand all of the Bible for myself without much success. I was driving one day and came across your program on Joy 1250 am in Toronto Ontario Canada. James I have learned more from some of your 20 minute programs than I have sitting for hours in my old church. Your stories of David have wore out my ipod listening to them time and time again and each time bring new courage and trust to my soul in doing things the Lord's way. Thank-you James you are a breath of fresh air which aids the body, clears the mind and refreshes the soul.
You will always have a place as a Mentor and Teacher in my life. May God bless you in all that you put your hand to and keep you and family within his reach always.

Sincerely Alan S. Morin

Too bad so many people jump at the chance to bite the one who faithfully feeds them God's word. They would not be reading your blog if the proclaimation of the truth through your ministry did not effect them. Too bad us pastors can't preach the word 24/7, then we wouldn't have to worry about our personal comments being scrutinized, by the pastoral paparazzi.
Remember, it's a small thing.
The word of our God will stand forever, aren't you glad our words won't.
You are loved!

Pastor James,

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Brad.

Be encouraged and thank you for shepherding this shepherd.

Serving Christ with you,
Josh Jensen

Some people just don't "get" you, Pastor James. I do. :)
Thanks for being you!

James,

I have been a devoted listener of yours for over two years now. Though I have visited the website w few times, this is the first time I have visited your blog. I did not have a chance to read the "stupid" blog in question. However, I do want to compliment you for this post. There are many other leaders, spiritual and otherwise, that never apologize or explain. Whether that be because they think they are above that, or what I cannot say, but I think it shows a degree of morality and responsibilty that is virtually nonexistent anymore, and I further respect you for it. Yes, it does appear that what was blogged was not initally thougt through, but being accountable for it to the people who look up to you and that God has put in your path is amazing. Thank you! You are in my prayers.

A leader with stong Biblical conviction + a teachable spirit = a joy to follow. Thanks for the joy! :)

Good thoughts about anonymity...I'm guessing some senders of anonymous letters haven't been on receiving end and don't think through it.

I know I sent one or two myself in H.S. or college with my main motivation not wanting the person to feel hurt. Seems silly now, and a bit immature, But thankfully God is good & faithful to "grow us up" continually :)

I'm not sure If you saw my post under the "stupid" header, but I really would appreciate your response to my question. You made it clear you have little respect for many other Bible Translations and I'm personally interested in your feelings on this matter because I respect your thinking so much.

Here's my post again..

Dear James,
The truth you preach is blistering and feeds me in the most profound way. I too am extremely interested in the “word” of God and have a PDA with most all bibles loaded on it (via www.laridian.com).
I was born again at 41 (26 Jan 02 at 3:56pm on a highway in Va.) and began reading an NIV my mother had given me before she died some years earlier. Soon after, I started to focus on the accuracy of the text I was reading. I heard discussions about the word of God vs. the thoughts of God. I spoke to a minister friend of mine about this matter and he explained the NASB was used by his seminary class because it was a formal or word for word translation. I read NASB until our Sunday school book began to use the HCSB as the alternate text to the King James Bible. The HCSB was billed as formal, but more contemporary by design. I read HCSB for some time after that. About a year and a half ago I stumbled on the NLT second edition (NLTse) which came out in 2004. According to the NLTse Front Matter this bible is devoted to precision in the translation of the original biblical text while maintaining a commitment to contemporary understanding. I’ve heard it said reading the NLTse is akin to Jesus reading the scripture in his day to an assembly and realizing they did not need any translation of the word of their day. The NLTse is meant to come across as clear as USA Today without sacrificing “accuracy” of the original texts. Some say it’s like reading the bible for the first time. Take a scripture you’re familiar with from most other bibles and compare it to NLTse to see the clarity. I noticed the NLTse and the NASB both use the word “stupid” 12 times. Am I on the right track? Is this a good sign for me to continue to trust the NLTse for a large part of my bible reading?
Love,
Jeff

The anonymous writer not only displays the characteristics you mentioned, but is a coward, afraid to speak face-to-face with the person with whom he disagrees.

Good work, PJM. Love the blog and the program!

PS. Sometimes Christians get a little too cranky and uppity...as if they've never used the term "stupid" before. "Like, shaaa!" Not to mention all the cruel names we hoist when we get cut off in traffic by "that guy."

Jeff:
I have an extensive treatment of bible translations and why I believe in God Wrote a Book, which is available on our web site or from Amazon, it is published by Crossway. In short I believe in using only those translations that prefer accuracy over readability and are true translations vs. the modern notion of 'dynamic equivalency which is used by NLT and NIV. I have less a problem with paraphrases because at least people know what they are getting. For serious students of God's word who believe in verbal inspiration (meaning that God actually chose the words, (2Tim 3:16, 1Peter 1:20-21) I think, NKJV, NASB and ESV are best. We are not a ministry however that separates from other believers over such things. "On the majors conviction, on the minors tolerance, in all things love."
thanks for writing,

james

Pastor James,
I attend Harvest, Rolling Meadows. I just found this site. I LOVE IT! Reading and getting to know you. I Love that God has blessed you with the ability to "tell it like it is" and I look forward to keeping in touch. God's using you in so many ways. I Pray for you and Kathy.
God Bless.
Theresa

Brother James,

I was one of the bloggers on your 1st "Stupid" post.

It requires God given humility to publicly apologize. I admire your boldness and encourage you to daily speak truth, lovingly.

My men's group just finished "Lord Change My Attitude Before Its Too Late". God is truly using you in a huge way. Thank you for submitting to God and allowing him to work through you.

My favorite part in your book is where you emphasize the importance of balancing truth and love-this was a huge imbalance in my life. Here, in your apology, you stayed true to your preaching. I admire men who walk the talk.

Because of Him,

james,
even though i am blessed to hear you every week my question to you is why dont you write more? would love to read more of your "stuff"
books, articles......
until the whole world hears!

I just wanted to comment on how I enjoy listening to Walk in the Word. I have to download what I can every week onto my mp3 to keep me sane at work. What a great blessing to have such a ministry that touches so many topics, (biblical),but in todays world. I have to tell people all the time, just open the bible u'r answers are all there. Anyway Thank you Pastor MacDonald. God Bless Always

Bless you James! Isn't it grand how the Lord allows us to fall down so we don't get too big and forget who we are...sheep and who we once were...sheep and that makes us, well sheep. So when "Dad" gives us enough rope to hang ourselves once in a while I find it a good thing cause then my perspective keeps Him on the throne lest I decide I need to sit there. We (Mark and I) love you so much and it is our hope to come to your Leadership weekend in Sept/Oct! God bless you for all you do for Him, cause you make our hearts sing in the morning with truth and love and conviction and all the rest that makes us tick as Christians! Keep it up, press on and be blessed!
Because He Lives, Linda

Thanks James for your ministry and humility. My prayer is that God uses your platform to inspire and influence many people to be fired up about God, and willing to let His word challenge and change their lives.

Dear James,

I wrote in one of your other blogs and came across this one. I know I'm kinda late on this but on regards to your apology, it does take a lot of guts to do what you did. I praise God that He has given you that strength to stand for what is right. I listen to you almost every day. i love your Walk in the Word broadcast. By the way I'm here in Miami I hear it on 89.7 Spirit FM. You really are sound doctrine which is hard to find these days. Everyone wants flashy lights and dancing bears and spinning things that they don't know what is. But to hear TRUTH, to hear the WORD of GOD Spoken in TRUE DOCTRINE. Thats hard to find. I pray that He will give you many more years of spreading His Word and that I too will have that kind of Character to stand for what is right. God Bless you James and keep Preaching the Gospel, the Good News. And keep Walking in the WORD : )
Love in Christ
Thomas

Dear Pastor MacDonald,
First it was hard to imagine you calling anyone stupid but you are human and God truly knows that .It takes make strength oto ask for help or to apologise than to help. God most certainly holds you up in your "Walk In The Word!"