About

Thanks for showing up at Jitterbuggingforjesus.com, the blog that strives to prove wrong the great journalist and essayist H.L. Mencken, he who defined Christianity as “the mortal fear that somebody somewhere might be having a good time.”

Me, I’m having pretty much a good-time life as a United Methodist pastor, currently on voluntary leave of absence from official church work, who had a long, first career in secular journalism (Print Div.), mostly reporting at The Houston Chronicle, before the calling to ministry led me to seminary in 2000.

My calling, however, was always to the specialized, pastoral- and spiritual-care ministries of chaplaincy in hospice and hospital caregiving. Aside from serving as a chaplain for two years in hospice care I was a chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, and for five years before coming to Belize at a suburban Dallas Baptist Baylor Hospital hospital. Five of the best years of this Methodist minister’s life.

And by the way, chaplains–be they military, jail, hospital, hospice or extra-specialized chaplains like those in corporate ministries–are “liberal” in the sense of serving people of all faiths and no–faiths too. Their first duty is to be a loving, grace-filled, “listening presence” with no judgment involved.

Just being present and listening without judgement is Christian grace to the nth degree.

* * * * *

In July 2012 I came to Belize, downsized to what I could pack into two suitcases and a backpack, to live with the peace-loving, fun-loving third-world people here, and to write a book or two.

But also to live in solidarity and ministry with the poor who live on what I describe as “the other side of Paradise” that is Belize, the “Crown Jewel” of the Caribbean. I’ve written a book to be published in 2017 titled The View from Down in Poordom: Reflections on Scriptures Addressing Poverty. It includes a chapter called “The Other Side of Paradise” about a Belizean family.

The blog’s motto pretty much says it all:

“Jitterbuggingforjesus.com is the blog that is saving the world with its wit, wisdom, provocations and stimulations while possibly (probably!) alienating whole towns, nations, cities and states.”

I have opinions, solely mine and not necessarily of The United Methodist Church of which I’m a part as it is the biggest part of me.

Grace and peace,

Paul

19 Comments »

19 Responses

on March 31, 2009 at 3:11 am | Reply Freda Marie

Pablo,
I love your image and the name of your blog! Of course, your musings are SO You!
I’m just checking our facebook myself; maybe I’ll send you an icon!
Shalom,
on April 7, 2009 at 3:32 am | Reply Monica

Paul, this is great stuff! Little Navasota produced some really great people and you are definitely one of them. I am reading all your blogs as fast as I can – keep them coming.
on July 18, 2009 at 3:07 pm | Reply Joan

Well, Alright!
on July 22, 2009 at 7:03 am | Reply jimmy

thanks for your generosity paul. i’ll keep reading when i get back home and Con’s going to love this too. The alleged God who still doesn’t exist and never will gave you talent in spades!
on November 10, 2009 at 2:23 pm | Reply jeff wood

Paul,

Saw Bill Fenton at PPUMC yesterday. Had not seen him in months. He brought me up to date on you and your wanderings. Was sorry to hear about you and Margo. Have read some of your writings. interesting to say the least.

Life is good today, we only take it one day at time.

yours in Christ…

Jeff
on November 20, 2009 at 6:09 pm | Reply Elsa

very nice blog.

Elsa
on January 4, 2010 at 3:34 am | Reply Sharon Beard Miller

God bless you and your ministry. I wish you had been there to guide me through my mother’s and my Alzheimer’s ordeal.
on February 2, 2010 at 1:05 pm | Reply Capricciosa

hey there rev paul,

thanks for sharing your wonderful writings! 🙂
you keep people inspired! 🙂

Victoria
on February 14, 2010 at 1:39 am | Reply Richard Smith

Paul, During the early 90s I was editor of that little village weekly that you mentioned. I spent some of my spare time looking at old newspaper copies which included some of your columns. I remember they were hilarious and seeing that you made it down U.S. 59 to the Chronicle gave me some hope that one day I would no longer have to endure lamb shows and the latest happenings at the nursing home. I left there and worked for three other dailies, the last being in Waco. I have been freelancing some for the past few years including for a metro paper in your area. So thanks for giving me hope during those times of putting my paper to bed at 6 a.m. on a Wednesday after writing countless bogus headlines on a Headliner. I’m glad to see you found something rewarding on more than one front. — Richard L. Smith
on October 14, 2010 at 7:30 am | Reply tami

You’re such a blessing in the lives of so many people in so many places, Paul. We’ve decided if you don’t come up for “some jazz and conversation from the foot of Mount Belzoni” we’re coming down to get you!!! (((New Year’s maybe? Big wingding this year! Details to come!))))
Blessings from the Steely Dan Underground Night Owls!
on October 14, 2010 at 5:39 pm | Reply paul mckay

feeling the love from you in Dan Land and thanks so much, guys and gals. New Year’s in New York sounds kinda tempting. Give my regards to Lester the Nightfly and to Donald Fagen if you happen upon him.
Blessings and sweet music,
paul
on May 4, 2011 at 5:12 pm | Reply Stacey Lee

I have worked behind a desk for 15 years and going into nursing I felt was a calling as well. I think its wonderful that you minister to people in the ER and ICU. That song ” I can only imagine”. still comes to mind. I feel its my calling to work with hospice to help with the passing over into the kingdom. I was with my mother reading Romans holding her hand as she took her last breath. Humbling yourself will change you and you begin to realize and appreciatte everything your mother taught you about foundation and the bible: faith, hope and love and the greatest of all of these is love. Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers and to my mother whos the BEST OF THE BEST!!!
on June 11, 2011 at 5:52 pm | Reply Paula Easley

PJ Easley

Well we never now what the day is going to bring….or what blessing God will bestow of Hope…and enlightenment….your ministry will surmount the ill fate of our world today…there is nothing more powerful than…. LOVE…with the Grace of God’s present, (a gift) now, anywhere, everywhere, and every moment. This world as it is very Blessed because Paul, you are our gift………and I say thank you God
on June 12, 2011 at 5:38 am | Reply paul mckay

Wow, thanks, Paula, and to all for the comments here.
Paul
on July 30, 2012 at 5:34 pm | Reply John Pascoe

“3rd World poor folk”? That’s an awful way to describe the people of Belize, it’s condescending and offensive. I expect better language from a former journalist, and better feelings from a religious person.
- on July 30, 2012 at 6:59 pm | Reply Rev. Paul McKay
  
  I actually agree with you and appreciate you calling me out on it and I am editing it out, John. I try not to blog or write anything “on the fly” and in this case I did–just banged that out without thinking and trying to be colorful or clever or whatever I was doing in the moment. If I had read it on someone else’s blog I would have recognized it as condescending myself. Thanks for the feedback.
  - on July 30, 2012 at 7:58 pm John Pascoe
    
    No problem, I have the same trouble myself, fortunately I have many friends who read my stuff and tell me if I’ve crossed any lines.
    
    Good luck with your work, enjoy Belize!
    
    Best wishes,
    
    John.
on July 30, 2012 at 8:01 pm | Reply John Pascoe

PS I like the Savage Chickens cartoon!
on January 11, 2013 at 8:44 pm | Reply 'lyn Lambert

Wow! Delighted to find your blog! Thank you … your insight and outlook are refreshing, indeed! God bless you …. thanks so much!
‘lyn