Are you going to go see that great new movie, “Forty Shades of Yellow?” Is it fit for a Christian to see? How do you go about making a decision like this? At the risk of oversimplying a difficult topic, there are three ways a Christian can seek to deal with lifestyle issues like this. We can walk under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, be guided by the spirit of legalism or give ourselves to license. Which will it be? Preliminary Thoughts I am focusing here on issues often labeled disputable matters. No Christian needs to pray about whether to commit adultery or to engage in murder. … [Read more...] about Lordship, Liberty, and License: Making Lifestyle Decisions that Honor Our Lord
10 Easy Steps to Pastoral Burnout – YOU Can DO It!
I've been there. Burned out, used up, ready to throw in the towel. I've never been diagnosed with depression, but that's probably because I didn't go to the doctor. In my 35 years of full-time ministry, I've been through at least two periods of severe discouragement in which a doctor might have wanted to attach that "D" label to me. I don't really know. I'm not a doctor - I don't even have a degree from one of those diploma mills. But during those times all I wanted was out. Out of my life. Out of ministry. Out my church. No, I've never seriously considered suicide but I've had moments where … [Read more...] about 10 Easy Steps to Pastoral Burnout – YOU Can DO It!
Pastors Conference 2017: We Are Looking for a Few Good Expositors UPDATED: Nominations are OPEN!
NOTE: The Nomination process is up and running. You can make nominations here. It's been almost 3 months since our little band of bloggers were entrusted with this gargantuan task of putting together the 2017 Pastors Conference in Phoenix. I wish I could share all that has happened - it's been amazing how things have come together. Now the time has come to begin our biggest and most important job - selecting the preachers who will deliver the 12 sermons. We ran on a simple premise and everything we are doing is based on this same foundational idea: The word of God is so … [Read more...] about Pastors Conference 2017: We Are Looking for a Few Good Expositors UPDATED: Nominations are OPEN!
A Completely Unbiased Examination of NCAA Power-5 Football Conferences after “The Greatest Weekend”
Everyone knows that when I talk about sports, I keep my personal opinions out of it and maintain complete and humble objectivity. For instance, when I speak of the great evil that is the Boston Red Sox or the fact that Brady and Belichick are servants of Sauron, I only speak the unvarnished, factually established, truth-beyond-doubt-or-debate. So, I thought I'd take a crack at a brief analysis of the Power football conferences after the opening weekend that was dubbed the "Greatest Ever" by many in the press. I will stick to the facts and keep my opinions to myself, as is my usual policy. … [Read more...] about A Completely Unbiased Examination of NCAA Power-5 Football Conferences after “The Greatest Weekend”
The Ethics of Christian Satire: An Examination
I will tell you from the start - I love the Babylon Bee. It's brilliant, biting wit is unmatched. While I've found a few of the posts a touch mean-spirited and a few have bothered me a little, but the Bee has given me more than a few chuckles and "oh my goodnesses." My question today is not whether the Bee is funny or whether it is "spot-on" in its analysis. The question is whether there is a place in the Christian social media world for satire. Is There a Problem with "Christian" Satire? I recently copied this Babylon Bee gem to my site and had an interesting response. One of my … [Read more...] about The Ethics of Christian Satire: An Examination
Managing a Messy Church Like Yours and Mine
I remember when I could blame my mistakes on youth and inexperience. Those were the good old days. Now, I think I make fewer errors, but coming up with acceptable excuses is so much harder. When worse comes to worst I can always revert to the tried and tested Garden of Eden Hall of Fame excuse Adam used, “The woman you gave me…” He blamed both the woman and God in one short phrase. Brilliant. I have spent a lot of time in recent months trying to get my life in order. I’m talking here more about my stuff than about my spirit, though I’ve been working on both. I’ve been going through boxes … [Read more...] about Managing a Messy Church Like Yours and Mine
Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem, Racism, and America
You can see him there between the Gatorade coolers, seated, while everyone else is standing to honor America. The National Anthem is playing and Colin Kaepernick, the (likely 2nd string) quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, is seated. It wasn't an accident. He was doing it as a protest. When asked, he said, I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and … [Read more...] about Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem, Racism, and America
Why “All Lives Matter” Is Not a Helpful Response to “Black Lives Matter”
I am woefully behind my time on this post, but perhaps that is a good thing. I've been mulling this since the height of the Black Lives Matter/Blue Lives Matter/All Lives Matter battle that erupted a couple of months ago. It has died down, at least to the extent that it is no longer on the front pages of the news, but the controversy still simmers. As soon as another situation occurs it will be back to the forefront and we will be discussing it again. So maybe now, when it is not leading the news cycle, is the time to discuss the issue with a little more calm. My premise, as the title makes … [Read more...] about Why “All Lives Matter” Is Not a Helpful Response to “Black Lives Matter”
An Olympic “Scandal” Leaves This Old Guy Scratching His Head
The US women absolutely dominated in gymnastics last night - I probably could have performed the final routine and gotten enough points to put them over the top. Then came the medal ceremony and a great tragedy occurred - at least that is what the Twitterverse seems to think. One of the "Final Five" stood on the stand during the national anthem with her hands at her side instead of with her hands over her heart. The horror. Social media lit up with people fit to be tied that Gabby hated America, and was publicly disrespecting the Red, White, and Blue. Hey, folks, can we lighten up on … [Read more...] about An Olympic “Scandal” Leaves This Old Guy Scratching His Head
The Best Kind of Athlete Testimony
I'm a big fan of two things: sports and Christianity. I love it when those two things dovetail. I respect a Tim Tebow who stands strong for his faith, though that whole thing did get a little out of hand. Linsanity was a phenomenon, but it seems that Jeremy Lin has a fairly consistent Christian testimony. Of course, there are messy moments – some men play for the Red Sox or the Patriots and STILL try to give a Christian testimony. Light has no fellowship with darkness, folks. That’s in the Bible. But frankly, many of the “testimonies” I hear from athletes are a little embarrassing. … [Read more...] about The Best Kind of Athlete Testimony