I’ve been doing my best lately to take off my modern church culture glasses when reading the Bible, and to read larger sections at a sitting, or at least remind myself of the context of the book or passage I’m reading so I can better understand what the author was trying to say. It’s way […]

Read more "Freedom to do whatever you want"

I am deeply saddened by the fractures in our society that seem to have widened exponentially in the past few years. There have always been those that shout their views, as if saying it louder will somehow convince those that disagree, but it sure seems more pervasive now. What would normally be polite conversation turns […]

Read more "Keep the fake news"

I love the way Doctors Henry Cloud and John Townsend describe most 3 point sermons: “God is good. You’re bad. Stop it.” Pastors often have the right idea, but they present it with very little understanding of the issue or practical help to effect a change. I’ve heard it in my church when a pastor […]

Read more "Why church people don’t really change"

Gun laws, gun control, gun violence—they’re all over the news every time there’s a tragic incident involving a firearm. Along with the sensational headlines from mass shootings come the push for gun control and “common sense” gun laws. I’m all for common sense gun laws. I think we should pass legislation that follows common sense, […]

Read more "Common Sense (Gun) Laws"

There’s one verse in the Bible that is particularly scary to me. It doesn’t have anything to do with demons, plagues, prophecies, Revelation, or God’s wrath. It’s worse. It’s found in Matthew 7, verses 21-23. Jesus says that not everyone that calls Him Lord is really in the Kingdom, even if they perform signs and […]

Read more "The scariest verse in the Bible"

I used to read the Old Testament and be dumbfounded at the Israelites and their ability to really muck up the sweet deal they had with God. One minute, they’d be in tight, receiving some huge, miraculous blessing, and then the next minute they’d be making idols and God would have to inflict disease on […]

Read more "Is the Bible black and white?"