Everyone offers it. Few understand it. Many think they have it but know they do not. They talk of freedom but they are “free dumb.” Simply put, freedom is doing what you most want to do. Everything else is a degree of slavery. So, if I ask you, “What do you most want to do?” and you…… Continue reading Free Dumb
Category: Outreach
Bloody Seed
The gospel making headlines, you know, like it tends to do when unleashed. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=nAqixXAqbbI
Mismatch
So, I was walking around my office and praying for the church the other day when this box of matches caught my eye. I felt God’s Spirit say, “This is the church.” Jesus wants his people to light the world. We won’t if we remain confined together. To reach ignition, we have to make contact…… Continue reading Mismatch
Excuse My Insult
“I’m only human.” That’s what people say to excuse repeated bad behavior. Can Christians use this excuse? They shouldn’t. Paul used a very similar phrase to rebuke the Corinthian church over divisions among them. Here’s the section. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are…… Continue reading Excuse My Insult
My Two Masters Part Two
Daniel LaRusso’s first three days of “karate training” are filled with menial chores around Miyagi’s oasis in the junkyard. Each chore must be carried out according specific instructions, “Wax on, right hand; wax off, left hand. Make big da circles. Breathe in the nose, out through the mouth.” The next day, “Paint the fence.” The…… Continue reading My Two Masters Part Two
Good ‘Bye!
Church leaders can spend a lot of time attempting to keep people from leaving their congregations. We actually talk about ways to “close the back door” to our churches. It occurred to me in the car today, though, that for a church on mission it’s always a good thing when people leave. Either they leave…… Continue reading Good ‘Bye!
Prison Bars…
I used to correspond through the mail with an inmate named Lowell. I don’t know if I’ve ever encountered a more biblically literate person. Perhaps this was because he had come to know his desperate need for God and was given plenty of time to find him in solitary confinement. As a former member of…… Continue reading Prison Bars…
Dancing with an Elephant
I’m reading the book, When Helping Hurts by Fikkert and Corbett. The authors work with a non-profit organization called “The Chalmers Center” whose purpose is to alleviate poverty around the world. I highly recommend this book. It has really opened my eyes to the good intentions which are so often blown through ignorance. One prevalent…… Continue reading Dancing with an Elephant
Mixed Motives and Methadone
I just read a blog from an atheist who took exception with street preachers who hung out in the pub district and offered aid to the revelers there. He made some great points. One of his problems with these folks was that they did good out of mixed motives. They offered physical assistance to people…… Continue reading Mixed Motives and Methadone
One Rule
When discussing morality and ethics, atheists are wont to say that they are actually more moral than theists because they do what is right because it is right, not out of fear of punishment or hope for a reward. While I will grant that higher morality transcends personal interest, I take exception with anyone, atheist…… Continue reading One Rule
Spiritual Savant 