John befriended me in the church nursery before I can remember. He had seniority since he’s a little older than I am. We grew up together and remain great friends today. As we grew, I learned that John has what are called developmental disabilities. But, to me, he was just my friend and the oneContinue reading “Ministry With Not To”
Category Archives: Community
Don’t Look at It but Along It
Life came to a screeching halt nearly a year ago because of the COVID lockdown. This suspension of normal life brought with it the opportunity for reflection, something our busy lives rarely afford. One area the spring lockdown helped us consider afresh is work. For many, work slowed dramatically; for others, it got suspended indefinitelyContinue reading “Don’t Look at It but Along It”
Divided As Never Before
The church is divided as never before. Okay, that may be an overstatement. But I think most Christians would agree that, from personal conversations and from social media scrolling, it certainly feels like the divisions are as bad as ever, and only getting worse. The church has been divided over doctrine before—sometimes for bad reasons,Continue reading “Divided As Never Before”
Who Do You Think You Are?
In a crowded seminary class, the guy beside me started questioning the professor about his encouragement to preach through books of the Bible. The professor, ever the southern gentleman, responded with grace and patience. But the third time the student pressed, the professor sprung off his stool and told the student directly, “Who are youContinue reading “Who Do You Think You Are?”
We Are So Not Into History
It’s increasingly obvious that the modern West has become antihistorical. The past is no longer seen as a useful guide to the present or future, but a misleading, unreliable one. Those who lived in the past are more likely to be dishonored than honored. The study of history itself is often seen as wasteful orContinue reading “We Are So Not Into History”
I Still Thank God for You
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4). There is a theological point to make from this verse, because Paul is thanking God for his grace to believers. As he does continually in his letters, Paul is remindingContinue reading “I Still Thank God for You”
Show Some Respect
When I was twenty one, *Henry, a good friend from the Middle East, came to the US on a summer exchange program. I was excited to see him again and eager to see how he was doing in his young and still mostly-secret faith. He had not been willing to gather with other believers yet,Continue reading “Show Some Respect”
When You Have About Given Up on the World
Like many other Christians, I am deeply concerned about the direction in which our country has been moving and the speed at which it continues to move. The murder of the unborn, the celebration of every form of sexual immorality, the increase in public acts of violence, perpetual discrimination, sex trafficking, and a rise inContinue reading “When You Have About Given Up on the World”
It’s Time for Your Propaganda
Spinning the news is not new. The news media withholding relevant information from the public is not new. Presenting the news in such a way as to push people a certain direction is not new. Proclaiming propaganda disguised as news is not new. None of this is new. I suppose the only thing that isContinue reading “It’s Time for Your Propaganda”
What Does the Bible Say About White Supremacy?
White supremacy is, simply put, the belief that white people are inherently superior to other races and ethnicities. Considering it is questionable whether any white people are explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the Bible does not directly address the concept of white supremacy. The Bible does, however, address racism, discrimination, and prejudice. In summary, viewingContinue reading “What Does the Bible Say About White Supremacy?”
