“Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us *more* than the Christ within us.” – A.W. Tozer I am a proponent of the ideal, “We have a never-changing message communicated via ever-changing methods.” Tozer’s quote here should not be interpreted in opposition to this ideal. Paul wrote, “Faith comes from hearing, … Continue reading Worshiptainment
Church
Church. Does it really matter?
"Someone tell me why actual church attendance is needed. What’s wrong with me watching it on tv, my device, etc? I mean, that’s better than nothing, right?" Yes. That’s better than nothing. Most of the time when someone asks the very-common question, "Is going to church all that important?", the response will include a passage … Continue reading Church. Does it really matter?
Pause – And Think About That…
The Hebrew word, "selah," found repeatedly in the Psalms is thought by scholars to be an ancient musical term used in the Hebrew psalter meaning, in essence, "pause and think about that." The following is worth pausing and thinking about. In the first century, the church had no spot-lights, smoke machines, electric instruments or sound … Continue reading Pause – And Think About That…
Soul Survivor: Surviving Being Hurt by the Church
"One of the seven angels...came and said to me, 'Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:9) In his book, Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church, Philip Yancey writes, "When someone tells me yet another horror story about the church, I respond, 'Oh, it's worse than that. … Continue reading Soul Survivor: Surviving Being Hurt by the Church
All He Did Was Invite Me to Church
For 30 years, I've been sharing my story with teenagers of how "a boy who grew up in a violent, alcoholic home wound up serving the Lord in full-time, vocational ministry." The story always includes the following: 1. A friend of mine invited me to go to church with him. 2. The people at his … Continue reading All He Did Was Invite Me to Church
“Don’t Bring Black People”
Donald Sterling is the owner (for now) of the NBA Los Angeles Clippers. This past week, a recording of a conversation between Sterling and his almost-50-years-younger mistress surfaced, setting news networks, the sports world, and social media ablaze. Sterling has never professed to be a model of morality. But no one expected to hear what … Continue reading “Don’t Bring Black People”
A House United
Our country was never more vulnerable to the attack of other nations than during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln knew this all too well, which is why, when beginning his Address to the Republican Convention, he chose to use these eternally true words of Jesus Christ. "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I … Continue reading A House United
Church? Not For Me.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25) The Christian "blogoshpere" blew up last week when popular Christian author, … Continue reading Church? Not For Me.
Messy Spirituality (It’s All of Us)
"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25) In his book, Messy Spirituality, Mike Yaconelli reminds us, “all the biblical characters were a complex mix of strengths and weaknesses. David, Abraham, Lot, Saul, Solomon, Rahab, and … Continue reading Messy Spirituality (It’s All of Us)
America’s Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy
[Jesus said to them,] "Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures. (Matthew 22:29, nlt) Several years ago, the George Barna Group asked basic doctrinal questions to over 6000 adults representing all major church denominations. What Barna discovered will shock you: • Only 41% believed in the total accuracy of the Bible. • Only … Continue reading America’s Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy