“I know it’s a sin to gamble,” she said. I told her, “I’ll bet you $100 you can’t find a Bible verse to back that up!” So…Is it a sin, or not? Gambling in the Ancient World There are exactly zero verses in the Bible that have to do with gambling for money. This isn’t because gambling didn’t exist in ancient times. In fact, gambling dates to the dawn of time. Click here to read, “The First Forms of... Read more
Bed Bath and Beyond has gone to the Hereafter. But is there an afterlife for dying churches? What can we learn from the bankrupt megastore? The Death of Bed Bath and Beyond By now, you’ve heard that megastore Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY) has gone belly-up. According to financial and news sources, there were several factors that led to its bankruptcy: Becoming a Category-Killer. On Knowledge at Wharton, Angie Basiouny writes: “Their whole core concept of ‘killing a category’ with... Read more
Try calling Jason Aldean a heathen in a small town! If you don’t know the historical meaning of that word, it sounds like an insult. What is a Heathen? The old English word “heath” means “country.” So, his song “Try That in a Small Town” is a heathen song. According to Etymonline, the word “heathen” has connotations of both “unchristian” as well as “rural.” In that case, it’s definitely a heathen song! Old English hæðen “not Christian or Jewish,” also... Read more
If the SBC excludes women from ministry, it will need to expel everyone! 1 Timothy 3 presents an impossible standard. SBC Expels Churches with Female Pastors Based on their fundamentalist interpretation of 1 Timothy 3, the Southern Baptist Convention has been expelling churches with female pastors and denying women ordination. These verses say that a bishop and a deacon must be the “husband of one wife.” If we are going to be faithful to the literal interpretation of the... Read more
What is the opposite of love? Guest writer Jack Thomas shares a perspective based on his own childhood trauma and military-related PTSD. I’d like to introduce you to my good friend, Jack Thomas. I met Jack when we were both pastors in the same Baptist association in Virginia. As you read his article, I hope you’ll hear his comforting Southern drawl, coming through his written words. I also hope you’ll receive the wisdom he has gained from years of military... Read more
Who would win in a race—Superman or the Flash? Here are six steps to finding your superpower and learning how to beat both of them. Superman Vs. The Flash If you’re a fan of DC comics and movies, you may know that Superman and the Flash race against each other from time to time. It’s something they do for charity and sometimes for life-or-death stakes. Here’s a clip of the two racing. I love that DC puts The Flash alongside the... Read more
Jesus said to love our enemies. How does this apply when physical violence is a reality? How can Christians practice self-defense? A Self-Defense Training Recently, my team of social service workers and I took a mandatory self-defense course. The population we work with can be volatile, so I welcomed the training. I’ve had numerous occasions with clients where I thought that if things had gone differently, it could have been a very bad day. I have had self-defense trainings before.... Read more
“You’re a real giveasheetmotherfather,” said my client, Dave. (Although, that’s not his real name and those weren’t his actual words.) Why Do You Care So Much? “Why are you so nice to me?” my homeless client asked with slurred speech. His hair was disheveled, and his body was unwashed. The mouth beneath his shaggy beard smelled like cigarettes, alcohol, and unbrushed teeth. He was quick at dropping word bombs that were fouler than his breath. Fruit flies swarmed the hotel... Read more
“Jesus died for your sins,” makes Jesus’ death your fault. This is spiritually abusive and manipulative. Is there a better understanding? “Jesus’ Death Was Your Fault” I remember the elementary school children gathered around their Sunday school teacher who held up a picture of Jesus on the cross, with blood gushing down. “Do you know why they killed Jesus?” she asked. “Well, Jesus died to take your place. You see, every one of you is a sinner. Each of... Read more
For an alternative to Jason Aldean’s veiled racism in his new song, “Try That in a Small Town,” I suggest Home Free’s “So Long, Dixie.” Two Different Southern Attitudes As a country boy from the rural American South, I’m all about heritage. I grew up with the Southern values common to the region–church every Sunday, cornbread and biscuits, shooting guns, and saying, “Ma’am” and “Sir.” I’m proud of that heritage, and I smile when I notice that some of my... Read more
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