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[…]
Category: The Life within a Church
So, Ravi… Should we delete you and your work now?
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,[…]
COVID vs Abortion
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 son’s 7th birthday and a slap in the face…
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[…]
Live your BEST LIFE NOW!
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[…]
Antinomianism and the Fall of Western Culture…
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[…]
Derecho…
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[…]
Virtue Signaling isn’t Virtuous…
…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”[…]
Black Lives Matter
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,[…]
Decoration Day (Memorial Day)…
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[…]
I’d give anything for one more day with my _________…
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.[…]
Anyone have a golden image I could worship?
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 despise the mirror on days like today…
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[…]
Hello Pastor!
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[…]
My child frustrates me beyond words…
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[…]
When was the last time you considered killing yourself?
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[…]
Nothing can save me now. It’s what I believe…
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[…]
Are you meek?
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[…]
Despair and Reconciliation
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[…]
You know what I hate?
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[…]
The killing of innocence and the demonstration of forgiveness…
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[…]
Charlie
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[…]
The Incoherence of Sunday Living…
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[…]
I don’t want to have another friend. I don’t want to wonder how your life has been…
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.[…]
We need a pastor, not a performer…
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[…]
“You’re such a good dad!” …not really…
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[…]
Lord help me…
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.[…]
You cannot kill me in a way that matters – the Algorithm, the Matrix, and the Shroom…
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[…]
Jesus Christ!
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[…]
LIVJOYFULL
I had deliberated a bit on how best to approach my friend yesterday. I am cautious not to perpetuate an ‘anniversary’ of death, as I believe there is a risk, many times significant, that placing[…]
4th Grade Volleyball and the Edification Paradox…
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[…]
We speak biblical language more often than we know…
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[…]
Miracle Defined…
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[…]
Good art follows you around the room…
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?[…]
LOVE!
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[…]
Long time, no blog…
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[…]
After this tragedy, we must pause for prayer.
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[…]
Walk…
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[…]
You’re too critical…
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[…]
Colin Kaepernick, Identity Politics, and “Just Do It…”
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[…]
My friend called. I didn’t answer…
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[…]
Hot Sauce as the catalyst for Christian behavior? Interesting…
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[…]
Today is the day…
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[…]
There’s an angel in your life…
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. What did you think? Kind of[…]
Yummy Potato Salad
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[…]
A Grief Observed
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[…]
Abortion is as Holocaust does…
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 type this with a Joyful heart… (Part 2 of 2)
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 type this with a heavy heart… (Part 1 of 2)
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[…]
Ultra Vires
“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[…]
The “Love Dare” and my fall from Grace…
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[…]
“God never gives you more than you can handle…” You sure about that?
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…
“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[…]
Yeah… I’m not feelin’ it lately.
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[…]
Alfie Evans has ascended and what did we learn?
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[…]
It takes a village to raise a child…
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[…]
Facts are facts… Face it.
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[…]
Lent and the Love Dare – Part 4 of 4
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,[…]
Lent and the Love Dare – Part 3 of 4
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[…]
Lent and the Love Dare – Part 2 of 4
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[…]
Lent and the Love Dare – Part 1 of 4
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. […]
Man, kids have changed these days…
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 wish I had a mentor…
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[…]
Give credit where credit is due…
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[…]
Postmodernism. You’ve heard me mention it, but do you know what it is?
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[…]
Memories. Where do you get yours?
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[…]
The Science of Christmas…
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…
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[…]
Depression is the flaw in love…
“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[…]
Grievances… I got em’…
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[…]
I wanna get dumped in the ocean…
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 just want to blog about love today…
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[…]
The movie “Moneyball” can be used as a church building template? Say it isn’t so…
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[…]
I DIDN’T do it again…
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 did it again…
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[…]
Mass shootings, gun violence, western culture, and you…
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[…]
!!!AWESOME!!!
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[…]
“But if not…” Do you know the significance of this phrase?
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
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,[…]
Marriage is work? Where is that written? Because,
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?
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.[…]
What do your children see when they look at you?
I stumbled across a video link on Kevin Sorbo’s facebook page the other day. I typically don’t stop to watch every video I happen to notice. If I did, I’d get absolutely nothing else done.[…]
“Just Breathe”
I dig this song. Acoustic ballads are typically an easy relate anyway. There’s very little clutter and by virtue of being a ballad, there is a message inside the bottle. When looking into why Eddie[…]
Assumptions…
I make them. Often. Do you? I would almost state to you all that I fall into the category of having an “assumption battle” more often than I’d like to admit. I didn’t choose those[…]
Happy Birthday Mira!
If she’d lived to be 8 years of age, we’d have celebrated it today. I look back through pictures of her older sister to that time and age and see how she matured, looked, and[…]
My support group only seems to support my negativity. Is that normal?
I’ve had my eye on several support groups now for quite a while. I’ll be very forthcoming with you about it. There are things I’d very much like to change for the positive about my[…]
I’m feeling transgendered today. You suppose there is a version of the Bible that will support my notion?
Relax. I wasn’t feeling transgendered. Rather, as a 43yr old white American male, I was actually self identifying as a teenage Scandinavian girl. …An early teenage girl. …Or at least that’s the intellect I’m boasting[…]
If you can have anything you want, do you really need God?
Yeah, I said that. We’re headed into some really interesting and revolutionary times. There are some who resist things like technology on face value, much based on fear. There are fuddy duddies who just resist change.[…]
15 Reasons We Should Still Be Using Hymnals? Are you kidding me???
Is that a silly thing to ask or what? I’m hoping that at some point a fog machine is added to the 5 piece rock and roll band we have at church each morning. In[…]
11 Reasons why “13 Reasons Why” is good and terrible for you and your kids…
The blog title is crap, I know. …And cliche. But you’re here, so let’s delve in. 1 – Cinematically speaking, this series is very well done. The production is on point with this series. The[…]
Hey, give me $18 because it is Easter…
That’s what a kid said to me on Easter Sunday. It may not seem like much to most of you, so let me paint you a picture. This kid isn’t parented often or well. He’s[…]
It’s too late to change your mind, you let laws be your guide…
Ever heard of a band called “Broken Bells” by chance? I was listening to a really snappy tune from them the other day and was digging on some dark but interesting lyrics. If you’re not[…]
Holy Moses! Millennials are people too…
Who woulda thunk it? I recently happened across a piece on patheos.com where a self proclaimed millennial gave us the key to the kingdom as he saw it… I found it refreshing. I wrote a[…]
The top 37 things you’ll regret when you’re older…
…And #1 is? Well, let’s wait on that for just a moment. Recently as I was surfing the net, I noticed many friends were sharing around the same article. It kept popping up in various[…]
21 things modern men need to stop doing?
My response you ask? “Only 21?” I recently read an article from Chad Howse titled “21 Things Modern Men Need to Stop Doing” and it got me thinking. I need to warn you up front,[…]
4% of Millennials are church goers???
That sounds pretty pathetic doesn’t it? What kind of heathens comprise this generation? Are they truly the ever-texting Godless mongrels that mark the end of days? Not so fast… Before we go ahead and step right[…]
You’re not her real dad…
Wanna bet? How about you attempt to say that again, as I sit here pulling your front teeth out of my knuckles? That’s not the response I’m supposed to have is it? I have to[…]
OK, this is important and I’m going to say goodbye to some you…
Honestly people. I’m getting sick and tired of that mantra that precedes some blather about “if you don’t copy and paste this nonsense, you’ll ________________…” Facebook is great for this. A large part of me[…]
It’s baby killing season again, WOO HOO!
Actually, that’s a silly blog title. There is no season – Roe v. Wade says you can murder all year long. No limits. No fees. No blackout dates. It almost sounds like a commercial for[…]
We all have someone that digs at us…
“At least we dig each other…” You know that tune? I do. It is one of my very favorites. I love Incubus and have for a number of years. My brother was listening to this[…]