One of the core values of our country is freedom. Freedom is good, but I believe it is also often confused and misunderstood. The prevailing view seems to be that what will make us happy is having the freedom to choose to have or do whatever we want. However there is a downside to choice.
Men vs. Women – Can We Help Each Other Out?
Men and women are often segregated, perhaps not as much in our culture as in many others, but it’s still there. And, ironically enough, it seems that there is more segregation in conservative evangelical Christianity than in the rest of the culture. I say that ironic because it seems that Christ broke down these barriers.
Movie Review: Fireproof/Courageous
A couple of months ago some friends invited me to a movie night. We ended up watching “Fireproof”, a movie which I hadn’t even remembered hearing about. Essentially all of the “Christian” movies I’s seen before—even the good ones—had been deficient or sub-par in some way. Personally, I’m not normally a big fan of “inspirational”
Book Review: Friendships That Run Deep
At the suggestion of a friend, I recently Friendship That Run Deep by Keith R. Anderson. (For the record, this book was published about 14 years ago.) There are several things found in the book which I felt worth sharing. The first is, in searching for a definition of friendship, Anderson settles on the concept
The Difference Between Gender and Sex
I appreciated some new insight I gleaned from a book I read recently. In it, the author talks about how there is a difference between sex and gender, even though the terms are often used interchangeably. In a sentence, “Where sex is tied to reproductive physiology, gender is a cultural construct.” (Struthers, p. 136) This
Love Gays?
I’ve heard it said that Christians are known more for who we hate than how we love. What do you think? Unfortunately, I believe it’s far too often true. There are many ways people take Christianity, and many things which they think it’s really about. It may be about following a liturgy, personal spirituality, social
Book Review: In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day
If I had to try and summarize In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson, I’d say that is basically a book encouraging taking a “leap of faith” for God. However he takes a number of different angles and makes enough different points to where I feel like it’s difficult
Outline: Proverbs
I’ve created an outline for the book of Proverbs. You can view it by clicking on the following link: Proverbs Outline. photo credit: Ryk Neethling via photopin cc
Book Review: And: The Gathered and Scattered Church
I’ve been going through books pretty rapidly here recently, which is good because I’ve got quite a few on the “to read” pile. The most recent book I finished is called “And: The Gathered and Scattered Church”. I was given the impression that the book was about arguing for the need of both mega and
Thoughts Regarding Planting a Church
I have recently begun interacting with a new church plant seeking feedback on what they’re doing. It was a catalyst for me to consider what advice I’d give to people planting a church. Here’s what came out: It’s Christ’s church, and he is the builder. “I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18) “Unless the Lord