Religion
That Verse Means Whatever I Want It To Mean
I absolutely LOVE discussing issues with people, especially when those people have shown a desire to really discuss the issue and not fight about it. I do it here in the comments of this blog quite often, and on occasion, I do so at some of my friends’ blogs. Even more rarely, I may participate [...]
In Christ Alone
As many of you know, I love good music. I can’t play music to save my life, but I love to hear a good song. And contrary to what some in the shadows of the Christian blogosphere would say, many of us “contemporary” Christians still very much enjoy a good arrangement of an old hymn. [...]
Why God Is Relevant
One of the most common criticisms against the “new church” is that it has gotten away from the God of the Bible, in favor of a made-up, imaginary God who wants you to be rich, healthy, famous, happy, and prosperous in every way. They say that the “new church” has redefined God in the name [...]
What I’m looking For In My Next Church
Since my departure from my previous church (and place of employment), I’ve been extremely excited about finding a new church! And since my current job doesn’t tie me to any particular geographic location, I’ve got a HUGE list of potential churches to join. The decision is difficult, but at the same time it’s bringing me [...]
Music Series Part 7: CCM Uses Satanic Beats
OK, back in the saddle with our music series! I’ve taken a small break, but this morning I wanted to jump back in and address the misinformed, ridiculous notion that contemporary Christian music is sinful because it uses music and beats that are satanic. The problem with most of the common objections to CCM is [...]
Local Church and Your Community
I was driving through some back roads in Greenville the other day, and noticed that there were some of those “Adopt a Highway” signs scattered around. One of the most encouraging things to see on these signs is when it says that the particular piece of road you are driving on is being kept clean [...]
Abortion Doesn’t Matter
Oh goodness, I’m at it again! OK, so I like to write provocative titles, sue me! Hear me out on this one. I was talking with my uncle over the Christmas holiday, 2006, and we were discussing our political positions. I’m a Libertarian, and he’s a conservative Republican. We have many things in common, and [...]
Weekend Reflections
WOW, what a weekend! Yesterday, I drove up to Charlotte, NC to visit Elevation Church where Steven Furtick is the pastor. All I can say is … amazing! For a church that’s a little over a year old, it’s absolutely crazy what these guys are doing!
Take Up Your Cross, and Pretend You’re Being Persecuted
The Christian blogoshphere can be a weird place. In its favor, it is a very diverse group of believers, and that’s at least a decent reminder of just how wonderful Christianity can be. But there are certain dark corners that make me cringe. Some of those corners have been discussed here, and some have not, [...]
I Get Excited!
Last week, I had the priviledge of overhearing (ok, maybe eavesdropping) on a conversation a couple tables down from me at the coffee shop. A pastor of a new church here in Greenville was meeting with a couple of the young leaders of his church discussing the particulars of the church vision. I can honestly [...]