So, I was walking around my office and praying for the church the other day when this box of matches caught my eye. I felt God’s Spirit say, “This is the church.” Jesus wants his people to light the world. We won’t if we remain confined together. To reach ignition, we have to make contact…… Continue reading Mismatch
Category: Bible
Excuse My Insult
“I’m only human.” That’s what people say to excuse repeated bad behavior. Can Christians use this excuse? They shouldn’t. Paul used a very similar phrase to rebuke the Corinthian church over divisions among them. Here’s the section. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are…… Continue reading Excuse My Insult
My Two Masters Part Two
Daniel LaRusso’s first three days of “karate training” are filled with menial chores around Miyagi’s oasis in the junkyard. Each chore must be carried out according specific instructions, “Wax on, right hand; wax off, left hand. Make big da circles. Breathe in the nose, out through the mouth.” The next day, “Paint the fence.” The…… Continue reading My Two Masters Part Two
Don’t just stand there! Stand up! {Guest Post}
A more prosaic post by my post-Christian friend, Zane Gilley. Years ago, while I was still Christian, I had this great idea for a song about the three young men in the fiery furnace. I don’t recall any of the verses of it, but the chorus still comes readily to mind. “What’s it to…… Continue reading Don’t just stand there! Stand up! {Guest Post}
Good ‘Bye!
Church leaders can spend a lot of time attempting to keep people from leaving their congregations. We actually talk about ways to “close the back door” to our churches. It occurred to me in the car today, though, that for a church on mission it’s always a good thing when people leave. Either they leave…… Continue reading Good ‘Bye!
My Two Masters Part One
I’ll admit it: The movie, “Karate Kid” has to some degree defined me as a person. I’m not talking about the nepotistically-produced, pathetic excuse for a remake. I mean the gloriously cheesy, deliciously predictable original. I grew up without a father and really without a consistent father figure. As a modern individualist, my rational mind…… Continue reading My Two Masters Part One
What kind of God is this?
Q- What kind of God would demand that a person offer their son as a burnt offering? A- The only one. Easter Sermon 2012
Prison Bars…
I used to correspond through the mail with an inmate named Lowell. I don’t know if I’ve ever encountered a more biblically literate person. Perhaps this was because he had come to know his desperate need for God and was given plenty of time to find him in solitary confinement. As a former member of…… Continue reading Prison Bars…
Man of Sorrow {Guest Post}
Another amazing, Bible-inspired poem from Zane Gilley, which I trust will focus your thoughts on the gospel of Christ this Good Friday. Man of Sorrow The Son of God was born on earth to die, To rule not over sinful world below. The Son of Man is lifted up on high. The zealots lusted…… Continue reading Man of Sorrow {Guest Post}
Mixed Motives and Methadone
I just read a blog from an atheist who took exception with street preachers who hung out in the pub district and offered aid to the revelers there. He made some great points. One of his problems with these folks was that they did good out of mixed motives. They offered physical assistance to people…… Continue reading Mixed Motives and Methadone
Nathan Wilkerson 