The Bible says a lot of things that I don't think most people are aware of. I assume they are not aware of them because I've heard many people claim things that just aren't true. It has often been expressed to me or around me that we don't need to go to church in order to be Christians. Now certainly I would agree that we don't need to go into a church building, but we are called to assembly, instruction, and corporate worship. In other words we are called to attend something very much like church with other people. Don't believe me? Check out Colossians 3:1-17 1Since, then, you have been … [Read more...]
The lies we tell
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post called, "No wonder people don't trust Christians" where I related a lie that Christians like to tell. To be honest a great many Christians spread lies and don't even know it. Some of the lies are innocent, like the rope tied to the priest's ankle when he went into the holy of holies on yom kippur. You might believe this is a Biblical truth, but unfortunately it is just a cool idea that isn't found in the Bible or any other ancient Rabbinic texts. The first time it shows up is around the 14th century, long after the Temple was destroyed. Other lies are more … [Read more...]
Sign me up for the padded room
It seems many people have different definitions for "lock-in." In fact my definition has changed quite a bit over the years. As a student a lock-in was a great event where I got to stay up all night having as much fun as I could get away with, and trust me I know how to get away with a lot. In college a lock-in was a great event where I could help students have more fun than they could possibly get away with. This was great because it added to my fun and they got busted for it, bonus. Having been through all of that I currently define a lock-in as that which must be avoided at all … [Read more...]
Don’t look at me
Ok, so I've been a bit out of touch lately. I had a lock-in with my students for New Years and it was great. It wasn't a traditional lock-in and I'll be writing about it later so I can give the justice it deserves. When the kids were home from school I spent most of my time at the house so my wife wouldn't have to deal with it all on her own. I tried to do work at the house but with 4 kids I ended up getting about half a week of work done over 2 weeks so I was pretty well swamped when I got back into the office. Add to that my internet has been real sketchy at the house and I was hardly even … [Read more...]
No wonder people don’t trust Christians
I am helping with Bible and Chemistry for one of the students at the Christian school the church hosts. He is a senior but really struggles with learning. His basic learning abilities are stunted because they would let him look at the answer keys whenever he didn't know the answers. Apparently this is the basic process by which the high school has always handled teaching and it hasn't terribly hurt most of the students because they don't abuse the system. The problem is, students that need extra help are harmed because they learn that abusing the system is easier. Anyways, the point is … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas: the most expensive gift
I just want to send a quick greeting to everyone this Christmas. I have shared in the past that Christmas isn't Jesus' likely date of birth, but I celebrate the most wonderful and amazing event in all of history on this day anyways. I don't think it is wrong to celebrate on this date do long as we know the truth of Jesus' nativity and more importantly why it is so important. This day is a celebration of an event more important than any event in human history, including our creation and salvation if you ask me. On a personal level the Cross and Resurrection are more important, but consider … [Read more...]
Young and Old Warms my Heart
There is something that I want to figure out how to get going. I believe the church is a single entity that is supposed to work together; rather I believe that is what the ideal church is, but not what the existing church is. Most churches I've been in have pretty distinct divisions. First there is the division of the "church" from the "Church." That is, the entity that meets within a given building is separate from the entities that meet at other buildings in a community. This is not how I believe the Church is intended to exist, and it is a fairly recent phenomenon in church history that is … [Read more...]
I believe in Santa … do you?
Ok so tonight was wild. The students were wound up like nobody's business. At one point I ended up really laying into them because it was terrible. I feel a bit bad but seriously, even the "good" ones were being a serious problem. After I laid into them it was better. The sad part is I was loud enough that they all shut up and I didn't even use my mic for that part. I don't really need it but I use it so I can speak softly and still be heard. Anyways, we were mythbusting Santa and let me tell you, St. Nick is a bad a$$. He is my new hero. They guy lived before Christmas but also lived to … [Read more...]
Sex is Amazing
So I was going to write about this shirt that I love for the blog carnival on "Church" today but I was making a comment at Stuff Christians Like and I realized something about Sex and the Church. We tend to think that inviting people to church is the solution, and what's worse we end up spending most of our time inviting people from other churches to our church so our church will grow. Think about it. It is much easier to invite a Christian to your church than a non-Christian. It is also easier to invite a non-Christian than to lead them to Christ yourself. This is the way the church … [Read more...]
mmmm, Steak …. tastes like chicken?
Poor Super Youth Pastor is stuck in limbo as a mysterious enemy threatens him in the hospital. I'll see if he might survive soon but today I want to get the Angel Food update out. This morning we did our pickup and had 55 total boxes ordered. It was more than a little cold but the work went quickly and we got back to the church just a bit behind my planned schedule. Expecting it might take us a few minutes longer because of the distance we had to drive for the pickup I had some people arrive and start setting up for us. Things were mostly setup when we arrived and we started unloading and … [Read more...]
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