Churchy: Cussing

Sometimes when guys are playing ball at the church building, they cuss. Usually, one of the other guys will get onto them, "Hey, we in the church." Often times they apologize to me. I appreciate this, and make sure they know that I'm cool with them. Honestly, I'm not …

Churchy: Amputation

Sometimes amputation is necessary to keep the body alive. It's true for physical bodies. It's true for the Body of Christ. I Corinthians 5 is a hard chapter, but an important one. The hope of confrontation ought to always be restoration, but sometimes someone refuses to …

Churchy: Scriptures

Tomorrow I'll be preaching about the primary metaphor that the Bible uses to describe the church - The Body of Christ.
There are so many insightful Scriptures that we won't have time to study them all, so I've pasted a number of these below. It might be a good study …

Churchy: "It just didn't feel like church..." (from Brian & Dale)

Sometimes when we don't meet in our worship center, we hear the comment, "It just didn't feel like church in there." I think this comment reflects a distorted view of church. Church is the people who follow Jesus. It's not the place. It's not the program. Gathering for …

Why Africa Needs Christianity (from an Atheist's perspective)

My wife found an article that gets to a truth that I believe with all of my heart. An organization can help people a little by giving them food, medicine and schools. But that help won't lead to true change. Change occurs when the heart changes, and only God can change …

Churchy: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

This morning we began a series called Churchy. I was a little nervous about today for several reasons?

1. We talked about how any local church can be good, bad or ugly. I wanted people to not misunderstand what I was trying to say.
2. I was feeling a little under …

Slumdog Millionaire - Not Cheap Entertainment

I finally got to see Slumdog Millionaire. It was emotionally gripping from the opening scene & never let go. It was all great - music, drama, cinematography - but the story is in a league w/ few others. It's intense & Beth about squeezed my hand off, but she loved it …

What A Really Horrible Commercial Says About A Company

I watched the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. There were some awful commercials starring the CEO of Pacific Life. He couldn't have looked more stiff & uncomfortable. You could see him thinking things like, "Now I should move my hands..." It was painfully bad.
I'm taking a …

Need A Little Help Here

On Sunday we are beginning a series called, "Churchy: Myths, Metaphors & A Girl Named Molly." Each sermon has a movie title that relates to the movie. This Sunday, the title is "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly." We'll be talking about how all three of these adjectives can …

Churchy

We are starting a series on Jan 4 that I've spent the past 3 months preparing for. The series is called "Churchy: Myths, Metaphors and a Girl Named Molly." I'm excited about pursuing the question, "What did God intend for the church?" I hope you can be there to join the …

The Best Christmas Movie of All-Time

Last night, after building-up excitement for several weeks, I allowed my boys to watch one of the greatest movies ever made - Remember the Titans. Yes, I realize that this isn't a Christmas movie, but this is the time of year where we have a little bit of extra time to …

2 "New Years Resolution" Ideas

My friends Kenneth & Amy have both blogged about the best Resolution and they can count me in. See Kenneth's blog
I do have a lesser idea to suggest. Why wait until Jan. 1 to get in shape? I decided to up the ante and just get in shape before Jan. 1. I realize it takes …

Out on Video

The movie Traitor is now available on video. I don't think there is such a thing as a "must see" but I did find this movie to be of value to me. Not only is it a good movie, but it helped me think through some important issues. I wrote about it when it first came out.

It's hard to trust if you don't...

Matthew 1:24 sums up Joseph's attitude, "When Joseph woke up from the dream, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded." This is remarkable because Joseph had to have many questions. It's hard to obey someone if you don't trust them. And it's hard to trust someone …

She Rocks

Took a quick study break to call my wife. She was in the middle of teaching a friend and her daughter how to knit. This friend has a husband away on military duty, and I know that she appreciates adult interaction and concern. My wife is so cool. We all have talents and …

Using New Muscles

I split wood for my Father-In-Law this weekend (who is usually on the other end of good deeds). I stay active, but never do anything like this. After 2 afternoons, my back and legs were a little sore, but my hands were just shot. My wife had to button my shirt for me. …

Anyone Have Some Hope?

One of the saddest thoughts I've ever heard came from the mouths of several students this summer.

My friend & coworker, Lane, and I were having a discussion with about 25 Sr. High girls and a few other sponsors. We were talking about what they communicate to guys by …

Celebrity Christians

I think that Christian leaders who become famous are often met with extremes. Both are dangerous. But both come from from people who also identify themselves as Christians.

One extreme comes dangerously close to replacing Jesus with whoever the famous Christian …

A New Kinda Christmas

Have somebody in your family that honestly doesn't need another sweater?
This Sunday I'm going to challenge people to consider a new kinda Christmas. Especially as it relates to gift giving.

So I'll let the cat out of the bag. WorldVision has a fantastic Christmas …

Growing Urban Experience

I seem to be having an increasing number of urban-related opportunities & challenges. By "urban" I mean things are normally associated with the urban experience. Is that too vague? Sorry. Let me give you a few examples:

-I was able to help quite a few people with …