I’ve created an outline for the books of Samuel and Kings. This first part covers Samuel, Saul, David, and Solomon. You can view it by clicking on the following link: Samuel / Kings Outline Part I. photo credit: Wonderlane via photopin cc
Leadership in Organic Church
I believe leadership is one of the most confusing subjects about “organic” or “simple” church. We say that there aren’t leaders in the sense of a person or two doing all of the “leading”, making the decisions, running the meetings, doing all the teaching, etc. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t leadership. There most
Book Review: Pure Eyes
I recently read a few books on the subject of sexual purity. Most of them were directed specifically toward men, though one was written to both sexes. The latter correctly recognized that many women deal with lust as well, albeit they typically experience it in different ways than men do. Of these books, my favorite
Youth Ministry: Helping or Harming?
This is a review of the documentary called Divided. I’ll warn you up front, this movie may well be very challenging and upsetting. But I think it is right for the most part. So I challenge you, especially pastors and fathers, to take the time to watch it and consider what it says. Before moving
The Bible and Sexuality Part 4
Homosexuality This topic is a continuation from the previous post. There is certainly a lot of strongly held beliefs out there in regards to homosexuality, so in light of this, I think it will be helpful to look at some “facts” (that is, certain ascertains which I believe to be relatively hard to deny, though
The Bible and Sexuality Part 3
Love As Primary This topic is a continuation from the previous post. The next question is, what do we do with this? Assuming the principals of sexual morality still apply, what are the practical implications for today? Should we pass laws forbidding them? Should we make sure everyone knows that the bible condemns such practices,
The Bible and Sexuality Part 2
Instructions on Sexuality in the Old Testament This topic is a continuation from the previous post. So then, what does the Law say? Probably the best known prohibition in this area is one of the first ten commandments: “Do not commit adultery” (Deuteronomy 5:18). (Adultery is defined as a married person having sex with someone
The Bible and Sexuality Part 1
I’ve studied the bible, examining what it says about sexuality. I wanted to do this as honestly as possible. In order to do so, I had to be open to the possibility of coming to a conclusion either way. I certainly had some motivation for finding that the bible doesn’t forbid or frown upon certain
7. Can we find a way to address human sexuality without fighting about it?
7. Can we find a way to address human sexuality without fighting about it? Those who are observant may have noticed that I never finished a series I started last year. I intended to, but the subject matter of this question is difficult. It’s a big topic, and I had considered launching a whole series
Rethinking the American Dream: The Failure of “The Pursuit of Happiness”
I don’t know about you, but the impression I have is that the “American Dream” is mainly about building your own personal fortune. (This doesn’t mean you’ll consider yourself rich, it just means that you are working on increasing your personal wealth.) I believe in this country this is what people think the pursuit of