Been beat up? Beat down? Talked about? Exhausted? Powerful biblical truth ahead: “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] … Continue reading When We Hurt, God Hurts
Jordan Blake Watts
The Depression Epidemic
What follows is a slightly revised edition of a blog I posted in September of 2013, four months after my 19 year old son, Jordan, took his life. nw As of this week, there were still a few things at my office that had been "undisturbed" since my son took his life on May … Continue reading The Depression Epidemic
Why Atheism Failed Me – Pt 2 of 3
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” C.S. Lewis; from an essay written for the Oxford Socratic Club I hold to a biblical worldview because of faith - but it's not blind faith. My faith … Continue reading Why Atheism Failed Me – Pt 2 of 3
Why Pray? (Does it really make any difference?)
I want to thank everyone for your kind and encouraging words regarding the message I preached on June 16th about the mystery of prayer and why God, through human eyes, seems so capricious i.e. why does he answer some prayers and not others? My daughter, Macy Watts, listened to it yesterday and told me should … Continue reading Why Pray? (Does it really make any difference?)
The Old Rugged Cross
NOTE: I wrote this four months after finding my 19 year old son after he'd taken his own life... There have been moments these past months that I've wanted to give up on God. I'm simply being honest. As one who grew up in a violent, alcoholic home, I witnessed more violence as a child … Continue reading The Old Rugged Cross
Our True North: the Word of God
After our son, Jordan, took his life the earth shifted underneath our feet. Our world was turned upside down. We soon took scripture printed on copy paper and taped it to every door-jam, every mirror, every cabinet door - you get the idea. (A few of them are in the very spot we placed them … Continue reading Our True North: the Word of God
The Frightening Thought of Being Used by God
Have you ever believed in something so strongly, so passionately, you wanted the entire world to know about it? I told my wife, Michelle, "You know - when you have a cause you strongly believe in, you want to get the word out to the masses. But, when it does begin to get out to … Continue reading The Frightening Thought of Being Used by God
Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” is not merely Dark, it’s Dangerous
"Welcome to your tape." If you've had the opportunity to view Netflix's white-hot series, 13 Reasons Why, you'll have no problem understanding the quote cited above. If you're unfamiliar with the series, it's a 13 part Netflix original fictional series about teenage bullying and suicide. The series, based on the 2007 book by Jay Asher, … Continue reading Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why” is not merely Dark, it’s Dangerous
What I’ve Learned From a Dislocated Kneecap
Recently, I've had two epiphanies: they are elementary level axioms of the Gospel of Christ (stuff I should know well, but need to be reminded of often.) Wed morning, Feb. 18th, my daughter, Macy, had knee surgery. The next day, we had her follow-up appt with her surgeon. Getting her from our house to the … Continue reading What I’ve Learned From a Dislocated Kneecap
“Awakenings” (sermon excerpt)
From a Roman prison Paul wrote, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened [flooded with light] in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,..." (Ephesians 1:18) Below is the link to the final 9 minutes of the sermon I preached this past Sunday. What you … Continue reading “Awakenings” (sermon excerpt)