Author Archives: Paul Harris

About Paul Harris

Pastor Harris retired from congregational ministry after 40 years in office on 31 December 2023. He is now devoting himself to being a husband, father, and grandfather. He still thinks cenobitic monasticism is overrated and cave dwelling under.

Of Killing Snakes and not Kids

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Paul Harris

               The story begins either with an outdoor writer, a district president, or a secretary but culminates with a journalist and an organist.

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Let us be Content With “Is”

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Paul Harris

               20th Century Confessional Lutheran theologian Sasse said that the offense that once rested on the Cross now rests on the Altar. What follows are quotes and thoughts collected from many sources over many years that help to retain and … Continue reading →

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The Emperor’s New Clothes

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Paul Harris

You know the aforementioned  story. Here is the first salvo from me about the “new clothes” of psychotropic medicines and the profession behind them. I don’t think many pastors have read Prozac Nation, House of Cards, The Antidepressant Era, or … Continue reading →

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A Lion, an Ox, and a Warning, O My!

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Paul Harris

Dr. Horace Hummel has this story in his wonderful commentary on Ezekiel. He tells of the church in Nebraska where he spent his childhood. He describes the reredos having a statue of Christ flanked by Peter and Paul and accompanied … Continue reading →

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Something Better – visit to an Evangelical Lutheran Synod church

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Paul Harris

I’m conflicted. I reported on a virtual visit to an LCMS contemporary service. Today I report on a confessional Lutheran service. It was virtual too; virtually mind blowing.

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If Video Killed the Radio Star, What has the Internet Killed?

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Paul Harris

               The song “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first video to be played on MTV when the network was launched August 1, 1981. And some pundits and prophets trace all sorts of developments or devolutions from this event. … Continue reading →

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Sunscreen and Hunting

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Paul Harris

A dermatologist told me I should start wearing sunscreen when hunting. I tried it on several hunts and hated it. Why? It’s a mixed message. The distinct odor of sunscreen is evocative of beaches and salt spray, not vegetation and … Continue reading →

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Greater Things Than These

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Paul Harris

In a series of dramatic revelations the Lord shows the great abomination of the leaders of the Old Testament church culminating with their worship of the sun. He moves the narrative along saying each time that Ezekiel will see greater … Continue reading →

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Three Little Words

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Paul Harris

I’m convinced. The criteria people use to evaluate candidates for the pastoral office are just moribund. They are not even so last century or the century before that. They aren’t even so last millennia; they are the one before it. … Continue reading →

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Flame Rapper (Lutheran Rapper)

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Paul Harris

This was the title of the email I got. The email from a 20-something, confessional Lutheran went on to say: “He graduated with a Master’s in Systematic Theology from St. Louis. The second song references a Dr. Joel Biermann [a … Continue reading →

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