Gary Mintchell

Author Archive

Read the Entire Context

August 26, 2025

As a university student in the late 60s, I bought the common interpretation of Paul promoting male domination over female and also reading theologian interpreters such as John Calhoun in the 18^th/19^th Century about how races other than whites were inferior therefore slavery was not only justified but essential for well being.

Then I actually read what he wrote. Not what one theologian or politician said, but actually to read the text. Studying literature at university should have taught me how to read entire passages in order to glean meaning.

That was even before I carefully read NT Wright’s 1,700-page study Paul and the Faithfulness of God.

For example, a favorite verse pulled from context is used to say Paul called for men to rule the wife and family. But reading the entire paragraph (which you must do to understand anything), a careful reader approaching without preconceived philosophy seeking justification, sees that Paul is calling for mutual submission. Doesn’t that sound a lot like Jesus?

Another time the subject of a passage talking about Greek homosexuality is passion. It’s part of a passage condemning all sexual passion. (People speculate whether he had a wife. I think he didn’t. For one, he was never home. For another, he seemed to have a dim view of marriage, suggesting we’d all be better off single. I bet I’ve given my wife reason to wonder about that.)

I don’t necessarily agree with everything Paul wrote. I have many questions. But we should be fair enough to at least read the entire context before condemning.

Posted in Study | Leave a Comment »

It’s Not All About Me

August 25, 2025

We are attending an small event to honor or remember someone. We begin to overthink details—what clothes should we wear, how the hair looks, jewelry (for those who indulge), and the like.

This could be what is called using university terms majoring in the minor.

We remember—it’s not all about me.

Just don’t wear or do something to detract from the event and the other.

The major is—it’s all about them. It’s not all about us.

Posted in Attitude, Humility | Leave a Comment »

Less Is More

August 22, 2025

We live in an acquisitive culture. Not only the US where most of my readers are, but in much of the world. Books, “news” media, “social” media—all these promote more.

Perhaps a better route to mental and spiritual health is less. Look around. What can I give away, recycle, pitch?

Now we can focus upon that which matters.

Posted in Awareness, simplicity | Leave a Comment »

Yes and No

August 21, 2025

Jesus said, “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” The phrase was repeated by his brother, James.

Maybe is not an answer.

An invitation comes your way, social, business, request for something. If it’s within your boundaries and time constraints and ethics, say yes. If not, say no immediately. Don’t stew around with maybe.

When you say yes, mean it. People will learn to trust you.

Posted in Deciding | Leave a Comment »

Entertained not Transformed

August 20, 2025

I’ve long contemplated rewriting Noel Paul Stookey’s song Hymn to update to today’s experience. This was a Jesus Movement song of a person critical of organized religion. It includes the phrase, “They passed a basket with some envelopes; I just had time to write a note; And all it said was ‘I believe in You.’“

The net result of the Jesus music of the late 60s and early 70s was the capture of the music by music producers leading to the rock and roll mega church model.

My take on that movement is that people want to be entertained—a rock concert with a TED talk. Not much community. Some have bustling missions service, but other do not.

Yesterday’s daily tip from Seth Godin re-energized my thinking when he said, “Most people in our culture would like to be entertained not transformed, lectured at instead of learning.”

What about you? What about me? Are we like that?

Posted in Attitude, Worship | Leave a Comment »

Chasing The Wrong Thing

August 19, 2025

A study found in The Pump Club newsletter, Researchers examined 105 studies, including more than 70,000 people. Their goal was to test whether the psychological and physical wellness costs of chasing external rewards were universal, and the results were surprisingly consistent. Individuals who strongly pursued extrinsic aspirations (such as financial success or popularity) reported lower subjective well-being, less vitality, and more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The effects weren’t minor, either. Across the board, extrinsic goal orientation resulted in reduced well-being. In fact, the effect size was similar regardless of nationality, age, or gender, suggesting this isn’t a culture-specific issue — it’s a human one. On the flip side, people who prioritized intrinsic goals — like personal growth, relationships, and community — consistently showed higher life satisfaction, fewer depressive symptoms, and better overall health behaviors.

It’s like Jesus told us over and over—trying to be successful trying to chase after stuff or trying to simply follow the religious law was a journey to death. The journey to life led through getting right with God and serving others by becoming aware of their needs. Be others-focused. Chasing stuff is like a dog chasing its tail.

Posted in Habits, Relationship, Service | Leave a Comment »

The Wrong Focus

August 18, 2025

Rich Dixon wrote on Jon Swanson’s blog:

Recently I listened as a manager analyzed a struggling player. “He’s too focused on results.” Wait. He’s a big-league ballplayer, paid handsomely to perform. How can focusing on results be a bad thing? Turns out, results-focused athletes take shortcuts and develop bad habits. They stop doing the things that made them successful in the first place. In sports, the best way to succeed is to focus relentlessly on proper principles and great habits. Do those, and results follow.

My decades of meditation practice has taught the same thing. Sometimes in our spiritual development practice, we begin to focus on results. Did God give the answer we demanded? Why didn’t I have a “God experience” every day?

The reality lies in the practice. It’s coming to our chair daily. Perhaps it’s reading a passage from the Bible or from a spiritual writer like Henri Nouwen or Augustine or similar. Then sitting quietly in prayer and meditation. The entire practice can be a brief as 15 minutes. We can get up 15 minutes earlier for a bit of quiet time.

It’s just a system. Rise, fix a coffee or tea, sit, spend time with God. If someone is in need, focus your thoughts on them for a bit while sitting in the presence of God. God knows. But there’s something about aligning with the Spirit that brings peace and understanding…eventually.

Instant results are a lie. The practice is everything.

Posted in Disciplines | Leave a Comment »

Learning Through Overcoming Incompetence

August 15, 2025

My music life began with percussion lessons at about 8 or 9. I was in the University of Cincinnati band a year. Feeling percussion was a bit awkward to move around with, I taught myself guitar from books and friends.

My practice slipped for a few years for several reasons among which were moving and Covid.

Then I did a little performing discovering that a few years off from both playing and singing causing major negative effects.

I also have a hereditary condition (prominent among those of Irish and Nordic descent, and I have Irish ancestors) called Dupuytren contracture. Hardening stiffness of the tendons of the hand cause fingers to contract. My case is mild. The massage therapist helps. I picked up guitar seriously again as a method of stretching my hand.

Starting again was not like riding a bike. My mind said it knew hundreds of chords and patterns and progressions. My hands said, “What???”

First, I had to admit incompetence.
Then, I found an online teacher.
Following his advice, I developed an intentional practice.
Before anything, I added Farmer’s Carry to my resistance training routine. I grab a 40 lb. dumbbell in each hand, stand upright, walk for about 60 seconds. It strengthens grip, lower arms, and abs.
Then I pick up and tune the guitar each time. I can mostly do it by ear.
A series of scales stretch fingers, strengthen the pinkie finger, and practice proper finger placement.
Next are a series of practicing difficult chord changes over and over.
I finish with chord progressions for a series of songs.
Practice bled over to singing bringing a return to breath support, stop forcing, find natural voice.

Why all this detail? This bleeds over into spiritual practice. It’s all about doing things intentionally.

Admit incompetence realizing that dashing off a few thoughts called prayer doesn’t bring me closer to God.
Meditate with intention (I’ve had teachers, but I found a new online teacher).
Read with intention—not just to get in a number of words but to intentionally discover what Jesus wants me to learn from the reading.
Spend time in nature on walks thinking/reflecting.
Find an avenue of service (spiritual practice is not all internal, it must include serving others).

Posted in Disciplines, Growth, Intention, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Neat, Plausible, Wrong

August 14, 2025

There is always a well-known solution to every human problem—neat, plausible, and wrong. HL Mencken

Some people sit in libraries or their studies reading books and deriving theories about how things should work and how other people should think and act.

Mencken’s thought reminded me of a saying that undereducated people develop simplistic answers to complicated problems, while overeducated people develop complicated answers to simple problems.

Some problems are simple problems requiring simple solutions.

Many times problems are messy requiring compromise and rethinking. The solutions may not satisfy everyone.

We need to learn to live in a world without perfection. Living within paradox has some tension but in the long run is most satisfying.

Posted in Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Selling Wants or Needs?

August 13, 2025

Every person who goes clothes shopping is already wearing clothes.

Almost every new worshipper in the local church came from another church.

We often sell wants not needs.

Maybe we should sell clothes to someone who needs clothes—or at least a particular item.

Maybe we need to introduce Jesus to someone who needs to begin a spiritual journey, not just a different venue.

Posted in Evangelism, Mission | Leave a Comment »

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