Dr. Russell Moore has released a thoughtful article in which he reflects on the 2016 election season and the role he played in it. He shares his heart, his convictions, and even an apology. It is an introspective Dr. Moore who looks back at the battlefield that was Election 2016. I found myself sharing almost all of Dr. Moore's convictions this year. I've been accused of being a sycophant or something, but the fact is that I arrived at my convictions independently of anything Dr. Moore said. I've not spoken to him in some time, though we've shared a Twitter like or two from time to time. My … [Read more...] about Dr. Moore and the 2016 Elections: A Thoughtful Plea for Healing
Is Common Sense an Endangered Species?
This is not social commentary. It's a simple question. Iowa is about to get hit by a winter blast tonight - I mean the real deal. It's gonna get so cold that even real churches are considering closing! The liberal churches close all the time here in Siouxland at the slightest weather provocation. They cancel like SEC area churches. But right now it's about 2 degrees and wind chills are somewhere around 30 below. By the time our Sunday School hour starts tomorrow morning, the actual temperature is expected to be somewhere around 20 below. For you limited education and experience folks - … [Read more...] about Is Common Sense an Endangered Species?
Russian Hackers Targeted SBC Voices
But Tony got us up and running again. We were going to launch an investigation, but we rethought it. "At this point, what difference does it make?" … [Read more...] about Russian Hackers Targeted SBC Voices
Responding Rightly to the Chip and Joanna Gaines “Scandal”
HGTV is a popular network for home improvement shows - one that has caused a lot of trouble in my home. My wife does not appreciate all of the projects I have undertaken after being inspired by them. They are also a network committed to celebrating "tolerance and diversity" on matters of gender and sexual orientation. They make sure that the "regular people" who appear on their shows are homosexual in a proportion that far outpaces the population average. They canceled one show before it even began because the twin brothers, both evangelical Christians, had made statements in line with … [Read more...] about Responding Rightly to the Chip and Joanna Gaines “Scandal”
Taking a Prophetic Stand: Die Hard Is NOT a Christmas Movie
I read a post the other day differentiating trolling and taking a prophetic stand. Trolling is when someone takes a strong stand with which I disagree. When I agree, that person is taking a prophetic stand. I am taking a prophetic stand against a great evil I've seen on several of my friends' Twitter and Facebook posts. On lists of great Christmas movies, they include action classics like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon on the list. People, this evil must be banished from the land. We must agree with one mind that such movies - while interesting, exciting, and funny - are NOT Christmas … [Read more...] about Taking a Prophetic Stand: Die Hard Is NOT a Christmas Movie
I’m on Grandpa Duty
Post 'em if you got 'em guys. Make sure you don't step on someone else's post I'll be back Saturday . Not sure when I'll get back to blogging … [Read more...] about I’m on Grandpa Duty
A Plea to the President-Elect and Congress: Let It Go – Don’t Let Hillary Be News
I do not like Hillary Clinton even a little bit, and it shocked me when I watched the votes roll in on election night how I found myself cheering for Donald Trump. Donald Trump! I won't go back over what I think of Donald Trump because I've committed to trying to show more respect now that he is president, but the choice was something like choosing between West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. For me, Hillary was the worst. I find her personally repulsive. Her views are offensive on the issues that I care most about. And I am convinced she committed crimes against the security of this … [Read more...] about A Plea to the President-Elect and Congress: Let It Go – Don’t Let Hillary Be News
Telling the Truth: A Great Place to Start the Healing
Our God is truth but are we in danger of becoming a people who subvert the truth to our agendas? In our theological and political passions, the truth can often be left in the dust. We have a lot of euphemisms for what replaces the truth, but as Christians we only have two options. Jesus said our yes should be yes and our no should be no. He made it clear that the enemy is the liar and that God's people must "speak the truth in love." But we give cover to our lies. Inflated rhetoric. Impassioned, heat-of-the-moment verbiage. Enflamed with righteous anger. Senator Hiram Johnson said, "The … [Read more...] about Telling the Truth: A Great Place to Start the Healing
Random Observations, Questions, and Ruminations
Nothing I'm about to say has any social, moral, or spiritual value. 1. It is clearly not enough to simply rebuke morning people. Should they be subjected to church discipline and felony prosecution, or are more extreme forms of punishment indicated? 2. Why can't coffee taste as good as it smells? Why are there no coffee-scented after-shaves and perfumes? 3. Restaurants are robbing us blind by charging 3 bucks for a glass of tea or cola, then act as if "free refills" is some kind of magnanimous gesture. 4. I'm not sure I want to live in a world where something called a "gourmet … [Read more...] about Random Observations, Questions, and Ruminations
Taran Killam’s Prejudice: An Example of What’s Wrong with America
If you had asked me yesterday morning who Taran Killam is, I'd have told you I have no idea. Evidently he was on Saturday Night Live, which I haven't watched in about 2 decades - it's still on? He was fired a couple of months ago from that show. I was introduced to him yesterday by an insightful post-election tweet he shared with America. Rural=so stupid. As you might expect, a few rural folks responded. Actually, I was surprised at the reasonable nature of most of those tweets - they weren't insults for the most part (there were a few), but challenges to his prejudice and hatred … [Read more...] about Taran Killam’s Prejudice: An Example of What’s Wrong with America