Many Christians love bumper sticker slogans like “Not of this World”, but strangely don’t consider what that really means. To say you are “not of this world” means you don’t participate in the ways of this world. Some of those ways include: Politics War Nationalism Money Fame Most Christians reduce the slogan to only cover things like “Lust, Envy, Murder, Adultery”, etc., and while they are correct that Christians should not practice those sins, that’s not what the... Read more
Have you ever thought, “If only I could start a House Church”? If so, this might be the best news you read all year. HAVE YOU EVER SAID ANY OF THESE THINGS? · I’m not sure I’m qualified to start or lead a House Church since I don’t have any training… · I don’t know where to find other people who want to start a House Church with me… · I don’t know where to get the tools I need... Read more
I say: “You’re made for more than writing notes in your Bible” They say: “Why do you hate the Church?” When I say: “You’ve got more to give than tithes and offerings” They ask: “Why are you so negative?” When I say: “You have more of Christ to experience than what fits into a thimble of grape juice or a wafer cracker” They say: “Why do you attack Christianity?” I honestly don’t get it. I mean, in a way I... Read more
Dear Christian, You were made for better things than taking notes in your Bible. You have more to give than tithes and offerings. There is more of the Body and the Blood of Christ to receive than fits into a small cup or a tiny wafer. You have been filled with the life-giving Spirit of God. The breath of the Creator fills your lungs. You have been given a spiritual gift that is meant to build up the entire Body... Read more
There are a handful of modern worship songs that I genuinely enjoy, but more and more I find myself having to stop singing mid-verse once in a while because I disagree with certain ideas those songs communicate. Last Sunday we were visiting someone’s church service in Fullerton, California and they started to sing one of those songs. The part I really love in this song says, “You are good, good, ooooooh. You are good, good, oooooh” and that feels really... Read more
This is an imaginary conversation between an unbelieving Pagan in the first century and a follower of The Way of Jesus: Pagan: “I would like to know more about this Christ you speak of. Where is your temple?” Christian: “We don’t have one.” Pagan: “What? Then where does one go to meet with your God?” Christian: “We are all the Temple of the Holy Spirit, so God meets with us wherever we are.” Pagan: “Hmm…then where do you conduct your... Read more
A few years ago I received an email from someone who had a question for me regarding the mounting debt issues at their church. The email read: “Our church is in debt. We owe the bank thousands. We now need the debt to function. We have become dependent on it. My spouse challenged the finance person, in private, about this and got no where. We suggested we stop doing stuff and paying so many people to run the church. These... Read more
It’s something most American Christians have been waiting for, and praying for, their entire lives. Most thought they’d never live to see the day, but now that day has come. It’s true. The Temple that was prophesied to be rebuilt in the Last Days is being rebuilt as we speak. What’s even more shocking is that construction on this new Temple started nearly 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem and hasn’t stopped until this very moment. The shocking truth that most... Read more
In January of this year, I lost my job. It was devastating. I wasn’t sure what to do. We had moved away from our home in Orange, California and left behind friends we’d made over a 25 year period; not to mention our two sons who were still finishing up college. Here we were, in a strange place, with almost no friends or connections, and no job. It was terrifying. But, ever since, my wife Wendy and I have been... Read more
All my life I’ve been told by my Sunday School Teachers, Bible Teachers and Pastors that the only way to receive God’s forgiveness is to repent of my sins, confess my sins to God, and plead for forgiveness. Even then, that forgiveness expires the moment I commit the next sin, which according to them is in about thirty seconds after I’ve prayed and asked for forgiveness. So, obtaining, and maintaining, God’s forgiveness is essentially an endless merry-go-round of sinning, repenting,... Read more
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