About

Since May 15, 2012, Into the Ravenous Maw has showcased literary criticisms, flash fiction pieces, short essays on writing-related topics, and much more.  The blog is controlled by Patrick Stahl.  Patrick is a twenty-five-year-old writer and fledgling scholar loosely specializing in fantasy and science fiction (though he dabbles in just about every genre).  In 2019, he obtained his BA from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, triple-majoring in Creative Writing, Multimedia and Digital Culture, and French.  He is currently a lecturer in the English department at WVU. He obtained his MA in Literary and Cultural Studies at WVU in 2021. Patrick spends his free time practicing on his ukulele and volunteering (and occasionally filling the pulpit) at his Sunday morning church.  He loves hyphens, em-dashes, and his wife, Nicole.

9 comments:

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    1. Just out of curiosity, how did you become the fill-in preacher at your church? How long have you been doing that? My Dad's a pastor, so I'm just wondering. :)

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    2. Well, a few years ago, my mom went onto my church's Consistory (the voting Council). My pastor asked if I wanted to come from time to time as an advocate from the church's youth (there aren't many kids, but there are a few; it's a pretty small church overall with around 40 or so attendees of all ages each week). At some point in 2014 I suggested that we could do a contemporary worship service (my church is quite traditional) as a fundraiser for something, and my pastor told me that I could lead the service myself if I wanted to. I had that service in May of 2014, I believe. Then at the end of the year, my pastor asked me if I wanted to fill in for her when she was away in January, and I said that I'd do it. I was a high school Senior at the time. I've led six regular services and one other contemporary service since that time. I don't have a license, but at least for my denomination (United Church of Christ), you don't need to have a license to preach. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have. What denomination do you belong to?

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    3. Oh, and as of this year, I'm on Consistory as well (the youngest member ever for my church, so far as anyone can tell, though the church was established in the 1800s).

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    4. That sounds like a very interesting story! That's very cool that you were able to start filling in as young as you started. My church is about that size as well. My church, True Life Christian Fellowship, is actually nondenominational.

      It's important for me to know the faith of each blogger I follow, so thank you for being willing to answer my questions. :) How would you summarize your personal beliefs as a member of the UCC?

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    5. Well, I wouldn't say that I'm greatly attached to the UCC top leadership. Not to mix politics and religion too much, but I'm more of a Dr. Ben Carson type. I emphasize a personal relationship with the Lord. I try to live by the will of the Lord as best as I am able. I believe that love and humility are two of the chiefest virtues to possess (love being #1). I try to stick to the Biblical text as much as possible, though that is not to say that I interpret everything literally. My current thoughts on salvation are that salvation is by faith, but that works will always result out of true faith and that works are important to the Lord. I believe in being "born again" through acceptance of Christ and the reception of the Holy Spirit. I was actually raised in the Roman Catholic church for the first ten years of my life, but my beliefs are more in line with those of Protestants than those of Catholics, I think.

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    6. Your beliefs sound very similar to mine. :) Thank you for sharing, Patrick! I'll enjoy following your blog.

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    7. Just to let you know, I don't write about my faith or my personal life a whole lot on this blog. It's not that I don't feel comfortable doing so, I just stick to mainly professional writings; however, I need to start reinventing the blog (as I've been posting a lot less in the last two and a half years compared to the first two and a half years of the blog), so maybe I'll move toward more personal posts.

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    8. I can understand all of that. If you decide to do some more personal posts, I'll also enjoy those. :)

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