Imagine for a moment that your child died. I don't mean when you're 90 and your son or daughter passed on at age 72. I'm asking you to consider the loss of your child at…
Do you ever feel that way? I have been lately. Only in a certain sense, though. I should explain. Do I have any real worries in the grand scheme of things? No, I do not.…
Made us stronger. Have you ever truly pondered that? I remember reading in a Great Book once a ditty that went something like this: And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,…
"Do you fight the good fight on a daily basis?" Yes. "Do you ever win a battle or two?" I do. "Can you handle it when you get your tail kicked?" Usually. "So, what happens…
I'm afraid it did... You see, I've been grappling with a problem for some time now that I couldn't quite manage. Simply put, a recent idea was somehow adopted, absorbed, or otherwise planted into the…
Theirs not to reason why. Theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred. exerpt from The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson That tidbit has…
Let Them by Cassie Phillips Just Let them.If they want to choose something or someone over you, LET THEM.If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM.If they are okay with never…
Is immersion baptism the ONLY way to be baptized? I assumed so, but it has become a point of contention among some fellow brothers and sisters. Therefore, I decided to delve into it personally to…
Mene, meaning numbered. Tekel, meaning weighed. Upharsin, meaning divided. Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin. Numbered, numbered, weighed, divided. What the heck does that mean? Well, Daniel interpreted, accurately, by the way, the hand that appeared and…
If you like solid American Folk music, this blog title may have spurred you immediately to think of "The Trapeze Swinger" by Iron & Wine. This happens to be a tremendous favorite of mine. Although…
The problem... I've been really wrestling with some things in a social group I frequent. We're told to be in the world, and not of it. If you truly seek to obey Him, that will…
That sentence has been ringing in my ears since last night. I heard it then and I hope to never forget it. I was at a social function among friends and a story was unfolding…
I can imagine my trek across the planet from every cancer ward in Western Culture, to every medical shack in war-torn Rwanda, as far as the Eastern edges of the Orient - I'd be on…
I'd been reading quite a bit about the Darwinian fairy tales in the general sense, some of which were pressed by the likes of Derrida and Foucault. I think they're somewhat misunderstood by the average…
Do you ever hear that kind of thing? Seriously. Do you? I don't offer this in any way to sound braggadocious. Truly. I have people tell me things like that. Routinely. Oh, Michael, you're such…
I usually don't find myself getting all sappy and emotional in public. Do I? Who am I kidding? I find no problem with sharing my thoughts and feelings with just about anyone. I won't be…
Stemming from a blog I wrote specifically on the topic of Biblical Self Defense, I'd like to cover the Biblical case for situational awareness. If you understood Exodus 22:2-3 from my previous blog that self-defense…
Yeah, I wrote that. Flame on. Seriously, though. There seems to be an inherent misunderstanding about this, so let's walk through things a bit. What would you say if I offered you, not only self-defense…
There's a five-dollar phrase, huh? But what does it mean? I think I can help, provided I grasp properly what I've read and researched. Essentially, the alchemical dictum can be broken down like this: alchemical…
You read the title correctly. And I believe I can connect the dots for you in a way that might matter in your life. Explore this thought with me, my brothers and sisters, please. I…
I sure do love him, despite wanting to smack my head on the desk from time to time. A friend watched my boy interact with me not long ago. He remarked, "He's good for you.…
I'm asked occasionally the origin of my thoughts and precepts. All are heavily plagiarized… I barely have any original thoughts of my own. I have gleaned and pondered the overwhelming majority of my considerations from the works…
I have become accustomed to expressing verbally that I love people over the last many years. Few are comfortable with this. Even so with their closest family and friends. Some folks don't grasp the nature…
Wowsers... You never can tell how you're going to get a nudge, where it'll come from, or what ways He manifests it. It also can appear to be a bit vague and often unprovable, but…
This is how the dictionary defines the word, church: church/CHərCH/noun a building used for public Christian worship."they came to church with me" This is how the world sees, church: "A full 72 percent of the people interviewed…
I was recently delving into the Sermon on the Mount, and digging into Matthew 5, 6, & 7 respectively. After the Beatitudes, which were absolutely Earthmoving for me to finally comprehend in context, Christ moves…
James Hetfield, of Metallica, wrote "Nothing Else Matters" for the Black Album way back in 1990... I remember snagging it after a four-and-a-half-hour round-trip drive to the nearest big city when it came out. I…
As a Christian, I proclaim myself that first. Sure, I'm an American, and Iowan, a conservative in most modes of thought, and certainly and husband and father. But, the Almighty is my first focus and…
I delved deeply a number of years ago into the idea behind a common cliche heard far a wide. "God never gives you more than you can handle." Bull puckey. In case you're wondering, well-intentioned…
...But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Have you heard that bit from Romans 12? I keep…
I had to put my dog down today. Man... Was I a mess? YES! I don't think I cried this much in the several funerals I've been to in recent years, combined. Maybe this is…
When you hear those words spoken, or read them, two responses typically follow. Either, you read them and assume something juicy comes next, which actually qualifies you for idiocy, or you read them and said…
I think it's called Grace in the Good Book, and forgiveness in the world. And I need to do more of it. Routinely... My cousin was married recently and her wedding was nearly perfect. The…
And we still haven't asked ourselves some of the most basic questions necessary to TRULY understand the undistributed middle of this problem. This blog will be short and sweet. Yes, this is a Christian blog.…
In fact, that was the central focus of my most recent Sunday School class. I offered a lesson surrounding Satan, how he gets a toe in the door, and sin crescendos from there. I then…
Through discussion with my Dad, I was able to talk him into joining me for a quick discussion on the journey the Magi (3 wise men) would have taken to come from the "East" to…
I left home to head to college as an 18yr old kid who knew everything. I ended up settling nearly 3 hours from my home, which was also the same community my to-be wife came…
If you're near Newton (just east of Des Moines, IA) this should interest you. Here's a link to the FB Event so you can sign up and/or communicate directly with CBF. I was just sent…
A few Sundays back, our pastor had what I'd like to refer to as a "mic drop moment" without his intention. Yes, he's calculated in his sermon delivery as well as researched. But every now…
This subject may offend some of you, as the components I describe may not be a reflection of the church you inhabit. Let's start with what you don't want in a church. The fact is,…
...This blog began. The first post is still a fun story I share with people all the time. We'd been looking for a great church. Not a good one, but a great one. Some friends…
Some time ago I experienced a real slap in the face. I deserved it. I had it coming. It could have been avoided, but I was too stupid to get out of my own way.…
But I believe as strong as she is, there is tremendous pain that has consumed her, and may yet be consuming her. I don't know how it can't have permeated her very being. In case…
That's quite an article title, is it not? Well, let me see if I can bring this full circle for you. In a chat for an advocacy group I volunteer within, a few remarks were…
I'm homeschooling my son this year for the first time. As my son and I delve each morning into the content and value of our prayers, as that is the first order of class daily,…
For those of you who are parents, you'll read the title and harken back to the time when your children were small and talkative. You'll remember when you were their whole world. You can probably…
It looks bad and frankly is probably worse than you'll realize. Yes, I have strongly held political positions. But, I make every effort to park that and keep a biblical response to just about anything…
As the stories emerge from a media that can’t be trusted, it is hard to deny the images we’re seeing coming out of Afghanistan. We’re going to hear plenty of blame, copious amounts of finger-pointing,…
...Is pretty far from what we had in mind. In fact, it would be hard for me to imagine our plans and His align very often. We get what we need, not what we want.…
I have been blogging about the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality and the likes for a while now. I have been warning about false doctrine, along with those who offer it and how it's…
I've come to really embrace Toyota vehicles in the last few years. We don't need to get into the "Big 3" debate. I simply took a step back and looked at the long-term value and…
It's a special day for each of us. We all woke up here. Did we not? What about those who didn't? I think about that a lot. Olivia would have turned 27 today. I first…
"I'm the loneliest I've ever been, tonight..." If you've ever heard anything like this, especially from someone you care for, it should give you cause for concern. Imagine for a moment that a friend sent…
As a first time teacher in Church, I have met with some level of success. Why, you ask? I am motivated and seek to be prepared. As a first time teacher in Church, I have…
I've made it to the end of my 40-day devotional and have learned a lot. I've refreshed my mind of many things I'd overlooked, marginalized, or otherwise forgotten. I've enjoyed a sense of gladness over…
I'll hit you straight up with it today. Some of this venture hasn't gone as well as I'd hoped. There are also parts that have been truly rewarding. I should have embraced the idea early…
I've eclipsed the halfway point of this 40-day journey. I find myself with an odd dichotomy that seems to surround this devotional. On one hand, I've successfully managed to deploy this series of dares without…
Well, here I am, with a pretty good start through this devotional and improvement series, when lo and behold, I have a conversation that I need to share with you. I was really enthused to…
As you can imagine, I, as expected, have learned and relearned things in the process of applying The Dove Lair again. As I mentioned earlier, I have undergone this devotional and self-examination in years prior.…
I'm going to use some rudimentary code to avoid spilling all the beans. Heck, we might even use code names. That'd be fun. It isn't considered lying when you admit upfront you're using code names,…
I can too, so I'm not telling. Besides, you'll figure it out pretty soon anyway... Relax, there's no reason blogging can't be fun. Be salt and light my friends... I beg you.
Hashtag You Only Live Once How many of your friends say this? How popular has it become to utter this phrase? How frequently do you see this hashtag on social media? #yolo is quite prominent,…
You should. My blog from the day before regarding a fantastic learning technique was a small part of a larger story. It might benefit others for me to share this with you all. I mentioned…
I've been remiss on my blogging for the recent few months. I believe I have an excuse you'll find acceptable, however... I've been offering the Adult Sunday School at our church. Late last summer our…
I was having a conversation with a longtime friend the day after the Trump protests in DC. He's an atheist, very liberal, and isn't high on pesky things like the 1st or 2nd amendment. I…
I've made it no secret that I have thoroughly enjoyed Ravi Zacharias over many years. I was introduced to him by my Pastor, Steve. Not in a literal sense of course. There was no handshake,…
I spent a few minutes tonight pouring over some numbers. If you want to have some fun and read a few statistics, you need to carefully accept them in context... But go take a look at…
My little boy turned 7 this week. He's such a fun-loving and cute kid that I can sometimes forget his ability to be a holy terror. Sometimes. HA! But, as you know, parents are among…
I, for one, am getting just about sick to my stomach over what I hear leaking from the mouths of my fellow Christians. If I didn't relegate my umbrage to a singular focus, I'm not…
Most people don't know what "antinomianism" means or how to define it. With no small irony, we appear to be eyeball deep within it at every directional glance. There are a few variations of the…
Honestly, I'd never heard of the term "derecho" in my life. Derecho /dāˈrāˌCHō/ is defined as a line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving windstorms and sometimes thunderstorms that moves across a great distance and is…
...And blurting out, "We didn't know what we didn't know," is no longer an example of acceptable tautology. Propaganda works. We typically don’t refer to indoctrination that way any longer. Today the term “Virtue Signaling”…
Every word you will ever utter in your time means something. Words, whether audibly spoken, chiseled on a rock, or gestured with sign language means something. All of them. So when we offer the mantra,…
Have you ever heard the term “Decoration Day” by someone in your family or among your friends? We used to refer to Memorial Day as “Decoration Day” for specific reasons. Sure, we decorate the graves…
Fill in the blank. If you've heard this uttered once, you've heard it a million times. Yesterday was Mother's Day, and I'm sure the internet was full of sentiment such as this. I'm not heartless.…
Yes, I'm on a bit of a rant. No, I don't make this is a habit. I've been silent in terms of my Christian blog throughout the COVID19 scare. I understand virology, herd immunization, and…
I got up yesterday, the same as any other day, and did the things I always do. I wake up extra early. I do this, not for pleasure or preference mind you, but because I…
I question how well I am able to convey the happy dance without really looking silly. But... I don't care. I am over the moon with excitement! Our church lost a rock-solid pastor a year…
Yeah, I wrote that. I meant it too. I'm thinking through some serious considerations at the moment. I've also stumbled across a few elements other parents are facing that have me pontificating how I would…
Provocative title, right? You'd think a "Christian" blog wouldn't contain such harsh ideas or thought, right? Wrong. Sometimes you need a smack in the face. I do. We have an entire culture swirling around the…
I'd rather listen to classical music or something in the alternative/prog metal or art rock than most anything else. I have quite a bit of folk music edging into my daily listening, but I default…
Somewhere I read a line about "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the Earth." You may have run across that in your travels. I can't remember for sure where I read it. #rollingeyes…
I've learned much more than I bargained for with you over these many years. People often linger and lament over the changes they'd make if they'd only known. I don't think that describes me. Not…
Pity... I can't seem to make a scratch in the armor of bad things that surround us. I can't stop the pain, hurt, and sorrow we all experience. I'm unable to curb the behaviors too…
As I type this, I'm dizzy with thought. Whirling through my mind are many questions, and few answers. "Have I not been this selfish? When have I done this to others? Why can't I recall…
A number of years ago, I had a gentleman do the proverbial "pop in" to my shop. I own my business and work strictly by appointment. Typically I approach the "pop in" with disdain, as…
Can you be easily identified as a Christian by your fellow congregational members in the pew on Sunday morning? Most would answer yes to that question. The idea that there are some who might respond…
You ever said that out loud? What about under your breath? Better yet, have you ever thought it about a friend? I have been uttering things like that, both silently and audibly quite often lately.…
I heard that phrase uttered the other day and scoffed at it under my breath. I neither took it to heart nor did I truly think about the implications of what a short proclamation such…
Typically I view myself as a 'decent' dad. I'm no fool. I'm also not ignorant. When I hear people give me accolades as a 'good dad' I enjoy hearing it - that's the self-absorbed ego-driven…
When the day is gone, and you sit listening to the world surrounding you, do you realize your flaws? I have been experiencing a recurring thought that urges me to simplify the life I lead.…
Algorithms today, especially those on social media, tend to be helpful, hurtful, and terrifying all in one tremendous vein. An algorithm is defined as a process or set of rules to be followed by calculations…
Our pastor recently announced that he was leaving ministry. He gave us all an explanation we could grasp and embrace along with a few weeks of sermons we could look forward to prior to his…
Olivia Joy Deutmeyer - born June 22nd, 1994 - departed March 24th, 2018 I had deliberated a bit on how best to approach my friend yesterday. I am cautious not to perpetuate an 'anniversary' of…
3 all day long tournaments filled with 4th grade girls from all over a 100 mile area. 17 regular season games with 34 sets therein. Admittedly I lost count, but somewhere in the neighborhood of…
But don't get too heady just yet. As we drift from biblical literacy we relate less and less to the origins of the daily nomenclature we toss around. I'll give you some examples. A drop…
According to Hoyle. Have you ever considered the context of what it really means to experience or learn of a "Miracle according to Hoyle" in true application? We must first ask, "Who is Hoyle" do…
Isn't that what they claim? Well... There's a few problems with that. First, I'm not sure I'm cultured enough to know whether that holds a shred of truth or not. Second, who is "they" anyway?…
How can I be dismal at Christmas time? We celebrate the birth of the child of God who walked the Earth and became our savior this time of year. We sing a little louder. We…
That's right. I've fallen behind. I have several blog posts started that are in various states of finish, but I don't have any at the moment that I want to publish. Most require more research…