Seminary President Writes Blog

What does a memoir of a pastor in the early days of ministry and a book about the first championship won by the Boston Celtics have in common? asks Rev. Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS).

The answer is the power of words to help or to lift up other people, Medenblik writes in his montly blog titled “Medenblog.”

Medenblik began the blog in January, touching on a range of topics. To read his blogs, go to Medenblog.

“As a new president, I have the privilege of being called to serve and called to communicate. I am one of many who can give voice for CTS,” Medenblik wrote in his first blog.

“As part of my new role, I have been asked to blog about my experiences, learnings and musings.”

In the blog about the power of words, Medenblik reflects on the memoir and basketball book and how a bad word can hurt and how a kind word can make a great deal of difference.

The memoir, Miz Lil & the Chronicles of Grace, has an illustration of what happens when someone, in this case a preacher, speaks an unkind word to man who is deeply offended and leaves the preacher’s church.

In, Rise of a Dynasty, Coach Red Auerbach offers frienship and words of kindness and encouragment to the then young basketball legend Bill Russell.

On the subject of worry, Medeblik cites the Bible verse in which Jesus asks his disciples, “And why  do you worry about clothes. See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.” (Matthew 6:28.)

Medenblik asks in another blog, “What does it mean for you and I to get ready to meet God?”

Growing up on a farm, says Medenblik, his family had a great deal of work to do. Even so, his family kept Sunday for worshipping God.

“What does it mean for you and me to get ready to meet God? he asks.

“Are you preparing your heart and reviewing the need to get rid of foreign gods that we accumulate?”