I watched this clip from The Andy Griffith Show a couple weeks ago and, with my convoluted mind, thought of Awana. How many kids, sitting in front of their Awana leader, try to recall the words to verses they thought they’d memorized? Awana is very strict about “word-for-word” memory and only a couple “helps.” I wonder how many kids were … Read More
For a few weeks I’ve been struggling with anger and shame. I am angry with myself because I’m so freakin’ obsessed with looking good spiritually and physically before others. I am angry at the condition of the modern evangelical church as I read about stupid, ego-driven pastors leading unaware and superficial people. The struggle becomes more intense as I reflect … Read More
I’ve really got to stop doing this. But it’s so much fun! Pray for me and my exquisitely crappy attitude. ???????? This post is dedicated to all the wonderful men and women whose high opinion of themselves allows them to act like God’s gift to despicable mankind. We have a religious culture so influenced by the world that the whole … Read More
Last week, Motley Christians Maggie and Ted visited 1st Holiness Pentecostal Apostolic Deliverance Love-to-all-the-people Christian Assembly and, praise to the God of all music, the spirit let loose. Wowzee!! As those youngsters say, “Killer!” They’d never seen so many kids moved by the spirit. Inspiring! Stirring! Spine Tingling! Astonishing! Before the preachin’ began, the guest musician, Jerome Lewis, really got … Read More
The hardest thing Jesus asks of you and me is to die. To underscore the great significance of dying, Jesus repeats the command 5 times in the Gospels. He does that with no other command. Over and over again, He calls his followers to “take up his cross.” Simply put, the cross is a symbol of death. In the first … Read More
I met Brad four years ago in Cancun, Mexico. He was there to speak to Church Resource Ministries staff on the subject of hearing God. At that time, I was with CRM and attended the conference. Though he is from Canada, (‘eh!) and pronounces words a little funny, we had many things in common. We spent time discussing theological “stuff” … Read More
“Was blind, but now I see,” writes John Newton (1725-1805) in the most-popular hymn, Amazing Grace. As Jesus walked near Jericho, a blind man yelled out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” People around him tried to get him to shut up. He cried out even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped. He wanted … Read More
The mercy of God is fascinating, magnificent, timely, and compelling. Mercy can be described as: God in His love and tenderness covering our unrighteousness and healing our brokenness. Mercy is most often experienced when a person is struggling in their faith while dealing with life circumstances. Yet, this is when mercy is often unrecognized. The heartaches and problems blind us … Read More
When it comes to doing what Jesus asks of us, we just disagree. He wants me to love my neighbor. But she lets her dog poop in my flowers and keeps me awake with her wild parties. She doesn’t deserve my love. He wants me to pray for my enemies. But they hate Americans and despise Christians. I can’t find … Read More
et me apologize ahead of time. I’m ticked. A couple nights ago, I listened to a well-known international Bible teacher confidently tell me stuff about the Bible and God. Most if it was a plate full of cheesy personal opinion, shredded theologically-biased information loaded with spicy logic wrapped in a shell of warm sincerity. I like tacos, but not at every … Read More
