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Jeff Wentling's avatar

I know I'm a year behind on this post, but I had to chime in here and say: It was terrific meeting you and Terely back then (1995), but I'm ever grateful you didn't take the job in Concord, despite how badly we wanted you to come. Trusting your sixth sense in this instance yielded wonderful dividends.

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Fred Harrell's avatar

You were definitely one of the reasons it was hard to say no to that opportunity. Great to hear from you my friend. If you are in SF for business or whatever, would love to have a drink with you.

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Jeff Wentling's avatar

Many thanks, my brother, will do. Same if you’re ever back in NYC. Lots of stories for us to swap, I’m certain.

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Marlin P Vis's avatar

Thanks Fred. I’ve never followed Tim Keller. Always figured he was just another evangelical pushing orthodoxy. Add to that the fact that the folks I knew who were big fans of his were people I wanted little or nothing to do with. But then I started reading some of his shorter articles and saw him differently--a bit anyway. So thanks for this. I had the same experience of boredom working with college students. Loved it. Loved them, but knew at the age of 50+ that I couldn’t do it for too long.

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Fred Harrell's avatar

Yeah I have a hundred and one thoughts about Tim. He was both very good to me and honestly very bad to me, but we worked it out best we could with a particularly honest conversation in 2008.

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Amber Griffiths's avatar

We are both are happy to discover FredTalk! My 1st impression-- where do I buy your memoir 😉 ... and Rhys' comment- he loved your therapist's observation.

And at the risk of repeating my text to you-- what lodged deeply in my heart: that image of your gazing upon NYC deep in your intuitive knowing on that ferry ride (and maybe a college kid or two saw their pastor weep that night...).

Hugs and love to you and Terely. We're over the moon to know not just pastors but we laypeople get to still hear your thoughts.

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Fred Harrell's avatar

So glad to have you on the Substack journey! :)

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Karen R. Keen's avatar

I enjoyed reading this. Also I didn’t realize you had your start in the PCA. Looking forward to more of your posts.

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