In the Beginning, God Created… Were we created or did we evolve? How did it all begin? That is, where did we come from? Let’s go back to the beginning. I don’t intend to end the debate over the beginning of life and our reality...
Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions You Won’t Keep Instead of Resolutions, Form Habits You Can Sustain Do you normally make New Year’s resolutions? How’s that work for you? When I used to do that, things never turned out so well. I might make it a...
The Right Mix of Music (Visiting Church #4) The church is a traditional looking building, constructed of brick and stately in appearance. In checking out the sanctuary, I anticipate the service will be just as Facebook promised. It said “a...
Did Queen Esther Live Happily Ever After? Applying the Fairytale Story of Cinderella to Esther Disrespects Her Situation I’ve always liked the story of Queen Esther. She’s an ordinary girl who wins a national beauty pageant and becomes queen. If...
What Does a Christmas Sale Have to Do with Jesus? Let’s Reframe the Idea of a Christmas Sale in Spiritual Terms This time of year, we so often see the phrase “Christmas sale” that we barely give it a thought. And if we do think of it, we lament...
What True Church Should Be (Visiting Church #3) “This won’t be a typical service” cautions a friend who greets us when we arrive. The church suffered a tragedy, just three days before and not all the members yet know. The service will communicate...
When it Comes to God, Should We “Fake it Till We Make It?” Though David Tells God That He Is “My Refuge,” I Doubt David Feels It Psalm 142 is a prayer of lament. David’s hiding in a cave, likely fearing for his life. He feels alone with no one...
What is the Kingdom of God? Eternal Life Begins Today (Not When We Die) Jesus often talks about the kingdom of God (the kingdom of heaven). He talks about how close the kingdom of God is, saying that it’s near and even that it’s here. How do we...
Growing Deeper (Visiting Church #2) This Sunday we visit a nondenominational church. It’s three years old and I know a bit about it and its pastor, who I perceive as a mostly postmodern guy possessing a modern theology. I suspect the church will...
When Is the Right Time to Close a Church? Churches Close for Tangible Problems, But Maybe Some Should Close for Spiritual Reasons In the book of Malachi, God laments about his people. Specifically he’s down on the priests because they show...
