Front Row Christian

...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.…

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…

It doesn't matter what the tragedy is, we often pause to pray.  Do we not?  Do you ever wonder why that is? I don't mean to be snarky, but why do we stop after we…

In the context of an average Christian, what does the word "walk" mean to you?  It ought to be your practices, your application, the means in which you carry yourself as you glorify Him. How…

Would you take that as a compliment in today's culture?  Probably not.  Remove the idea that the assertion of negativity stemming from today's culture and ask the question again.  While it might be the same…

I was hoping this nonsense would end, but no such luck. In fact, in full disclosure, the only way this stops is when we either tire of it due to shear volume or we become…

And I've never been more ashamed in my life. It had been a long day.  I'd been waging a war with a monster bureaucracy a good portion of the day.  It would take an entire…

Yup.  I'm circling back on some things from nearly a year ago.  ...Which is good.  We need to reflect.  If I were truly Godly, when compelled to make a statement to what I experience, a…

I have friends getting married today.  Dear friends.  They stem from different back grounds with different environments in which they were raised.  One a long time believer, another born again more recently.  The way they…

THE GOOD I would like for you to watch this video.  Listen to the lyrics and pay close attention to the little bits of strain on each band member. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suzJRr8vQ4I What did you think?  Kind…

We all know the Apostle Paul wrote the letters to the Corinthians.  I was reading through 1st Corinthians and noticed Paul was correcting the church on many things.  MANY things.  In chapter 10, Paul was reminding…

I've been a reading a lot of C.S. Lewis in recent months.  I was drawn initially for the combination of literary complexity and the Christian apologetics.  I found myself staying mostly for the pain.  At…

I had a person extol the virtues of abortion to me a short time ago while showing tremendous aberration towards the holocaust. I'll admit freely I tricked them deliberately by asking them their opinion on…

I experienced something that I never assumed possible.  Troubles with a trusted brother.  You know.  The kind you read about or hear about, but also the kind you never expect to actually happen to you…

I was dealt a considerable blow today. Have you ever had something happen to you that was really hard to wrap your mind around?  As if each time the fog lifted on the matter, you…

"Oh man...  It was only a matter of time after he said he was studying Latin.  I suppose I can look forward to all kinds of that jazz for the next six months in his…

Yup...  You guessed it.  Here I was all high and mighty about my hard work on the Love Dare...  Yuppers, I'd undertaken and completed the whole ditty on time in 40 days, and the residual…

How often do you hear that phrase or something similar?  I can't walk ten feet without hearing somebody say it.  Let's take this in context too by the way.  When a phrase like "God never…

"It's not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world.  It's our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless."  I ran…

Do you ever get like that?  You and I know...  WE KNOW, God loves us and we don't have any reason to get bummed.  But, life gets in the way.  Life grinds us down to…

If you think about this there are some pretty serious ramifications at play here and we’re gingerly skipping past too many of them without a care in the world.  I’ve been studying Hippocrates diligently for…

Where have I heard that before?  It became popular on a book cover and then used widely on a campaign trail not so long ago.  It's a catchy little phrase and when used in the…

Are they?  I had a really great discussion the other day with a delivery driver that came to my shop.  He noticed I was listening to some Christian Apologetic lectures in the back ground and…

  SPOILER...  I survived the Love Dare.  So did my wife.  So did our marriage.  At this time, we must pause our program for station identification and thank our show's sponsors, The Love Dare, Kirk Cameron,…

HALF WAY THERE, he said with a resounding sense of pride.  If the Love Dare was a week, this would be hump day...  ;)  You know all about Kirk Cameron, the movie "Fireproof" and my…

As I laid out in the first portion of this four part blog series, I had enjoyed watching the movie "Fireproof" with Kirk Cameron a few years back, bought the DVD, but hadn't watched it…

I'm not Catholic, but I've always enjoyed the idea of Lent.  If for nothing else I like the idea of giving something up in sacrifice or to simply pay daily devotional in a focused method. …

Haven't they?  Seriously.  What tops your list of gripes about today's youth?  They want it all given to them.  They don't want to work.  They don't respect people.  They're addicted to their phones and social…

I've been fortunate to have a handful by the way, and they've forever altered the quality and content of my life. What is a mentor you ask?  Dictionary.com explains this in noun form as "an…

Do you?  I doubt it.  I know I don't nearly as often as I should.  In order for me to put this in perspective for you, let me lead you through this a bit. I…

And more importantly what to do when you stumble across it?  Well, the fact is, and I don't mean to start this blog entry by punching you in the face, but if you are wondering…

Awakening from the Big Sleep I write this blog as a confession to you today.  If you read this blog at all you can see the swing in my emotion and the method in which…

Yeah, I love a provocative title.  You know this by now.  Over half the time I contradict in the first paragraph that which I have titled the blog entry, so this should come as no…

A Tale of Two Cities and One Sweet Little Girl... Today's entry will be a bit different and also very personal to me... My dad approached me to take a few moments and write a…

“I need to be alone. I need to ponder my shame and my despair in seclusion; I need the sunshine and the paving stones of the streets without companions, without conversation, face to face with…

Do you? Some time ago I was visiting with a friend of mine and he kept telling me how much alike I was to a friend of his on facebook.  He kept referring to both…

Wrestle tuna nearly half my size, and fend off hungry sharks with a knife just barely big enough to spread butter on a bagel.  That's right.  I want to risk plenty, and for what?  The…

I'm a football fan.  I played football when I was little and started JV the first two years in high school and started Varsity as a junior and senior.  I was what I'd describe as…

Yes, as a matter of fact I believe it can be used as an example of what we seem to miss all too often when hoping, praying, and working to fill the pews...  Now, before…

Do you remember the blog entry prior when I mentioned how I'd driven past THAT bag of trash a half dozen times and never bothered to pick it up.  Remember how the trash bag eventually…

I saw that bag of trash along the road near the same intersection I turn at every morning.  ...And I drove right by it.  It might not seem like much, and maybe you think I'm…

Everybody who has a heartbeat wants to make an impact on this.  Don't we?  We hurt and we're sorrowful.  We want to move forward, but more apropos, we want to have done something to stop…

How often do you hear that in a day's time?  I notice it often. "Hey, kudos on your spelling test son.  Awesome!" "Did you see the new Batman movie?  It was awesome." "Wow, I love…

I didn't.  Rest assured I do now.  It's a great story too, so buckle in for a quick ride. Some of you are movie buffs.  Me too.  I love film.  I especially respond to dramas,…

Credo ut intelligam - Latin for "I believe so that I may understand" can be considered a mouthful.  If you do some searching around you'll end up settling on Augustine of Hippo.  Another, albeit longer,…

Nobody mentioned that one to me before I entered into it. OK, that's not true, and while wifey and I were the beneficiaries of some really great pastoral guidance, I'm not sure a person can…

Conflict…  I experienced that yesterday.  I suppose you’d define conflict for my purposes as a clash between two things.  I was at odds within a situation our family has experienced.  I’m at odds no longer.…