Year: 2015

Will Hunting and the Experiences that Shape us

I was having a conversation with a member of my life group last night. We were talking about something unrelated to this post, but in the course of that conversation I realized something. The Christian faith has been transferred from one generation to the next by the personal witness of those who have been changed by the power of the Gospel. Continue reading “Will Hunting and the Experiences that Shape us”

The Best Antidote to Legalism

Legalism is the belief that the way to please God and secure access to heaven is by complying to a set of regulations. This does two things. First, legalism robs us of any peace and joy the Gospel offers to us. When we are governed by fear we flip faith on its head. We begin to put our trust in something that neither has the power, nor was it ever intended to keep us safe–namely, our own ability. The Gospel reminds us that we are unable and incapable of meeting every regulation that God has for holiness. When we try to live out the Gospel in this way, we kill ourselves a thousand times a day.

Second, legalism distorts the God the Bible describes, who extends grace to sinners. God becomes a tyrant rather than a father. God is capricious and not gracious. God becomes impatient, petulant, and vindictive when we fail to live up to the standards legalism imposes. None of these attribute describe God. And yet, this is how we feel when legalism is the guiding theological lens we see through.

Legalism over promises and never delivers. It fosters a combative mindset and a environment of one-upmanship that is unhealthy for the church and unbecoming of a follower of Jesus. Legalism is a poison withing the soul of a believer and there is only one cure. We have to have a sound and true understanding of what the Bible says. This is the only remedy. The best antidote to legalism is good theology. 

This means that every Christian should become a better theologian. We already are theologians. The only difference between many of us is the time we spend getting our theology right.

A Perfect Match: A Story of Love and Marriage, In Sickness and in Health

Justin gave to his wife in actuality what most men only give in theory. Justin gave of himself.

I have known this wonderful couple for a long time. The circumstances of life and geography have moved us in different directions. However, we are fortunate to live in a world where technology allows you to keep up with the goings on of anothers life.
Continue reading “A Perfect Match: A Story of Love and Marriage, In Sickness and in Health”

People Aren’t Projects

Do you ever just wonder how you are viewed by other people? Or even recognize the way you view everyone else?

I have realized that over time and as I have gotten older I am more self-conscious of myself, becoming more aware of the ways I act and the words I say. Though in some ways this has been a positive in my life it has also brought about some negatives. Continue reading “People Aren’t Projects”

Abortion and the Death of Sacrificial Love

Over the last couple of days there has been much discussion around a shocking video alleging some despicable practices by Planned Parenthood facilities and personnel. I am not going to provide any further descriptions here, just look it up for yourself. I personally could not believe what I read and therefore could not stomach watching the video. Continue reading “Abortion and the Death of Sacrificial Love”

A Letter to My Former Youth

To my former youth,

If you were a member of a youth ministry that I served, this is for you.

I offer my thoughts to you as an act of love. In light of recent events I want to offer one more lesson. Take it our leave it. That’s up to you. I just feel like I should say something. While there will be ongoing commentary as to what happened, how it happened, should it have happened, and what will have to be done by those on both sides, I feel compelled to offer some words to you, my former youth, who will and are living in a world very different from the one I grew up in. Continue reading “A Letter to My Former Youth”

A “WebMD” Church Cannot Help the Hurting

I have written about this before in other places, however, it is a topic I find myself coming back to and thinking about regularly. It could be due to my love for talent shows. I could also be because of the longing I feel for validation myself.

I do not think that this longing is something far from the thoughts of many people. There is something within each of us hoping, yearning even, for others to receive us with open arms. I do not find this odd or even inappropriate. What I have discovered through my own introspection is that we may have turned our angst and decided to be satisfied by lesser forms of authority. When you are a singer and you want your voice measured you subject yourself to the judges on one of the many talent shows. When you want your cakes/cupcakes tasted or your tattoos​ showcased you put yourself out there and are literally under a microscope with the hope that someone will say, “Yeah, that is pretty amazing”. Those who make it to that stage are few. I often wonder about the countless droves who do not even risk the scrutiny and yet desire the evaluation.
Continue reading “A “WebMD” Church Cannot Help the Hurting”

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