Valentine’s Day for Singles: Lessons Learned from the Apostle Paul
While many are celebrating Valentine’s Day, there are millions of people who would rather sit on their couch eating Bon Bons in a Snuggie all day watching war movies because at least no one is going to be kissing anyone on the battlefield and reminding them that it is...
Away with the Manger
Popular belief: Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Two common misconceptions are that Jesus 1. was born in a manger 2. was born in a barn because all the hotels were full These details are interpreted from Luke 2:6-7. While they were...
There is no such thing as Santa (or the year zero); the truth about Jesus’ birthday
In honor of Christmas, I will be blogging daily until Christmas Day about certain elements of the birth story that have become distorted over time. I will also be engaging in my annual “prank” of rearranging manger scenes so that they are theologically correct. This is a vast improvement...
A three letter word that could change your life
“Now he had to go through Samaria.” John 4:4 Usually my blogs address a commonly misunderstood passage of Scripture, but this verse is more often overlooked than misunderstood. At first glance, it seems like it serves as a transition sentence, indicating that Jesus was leaving Jerusalem in Judea to...
Glimpses of Heaven
When tragedy strikes, many find it comforting to say, “God is in control.” They don’t mean that God caused the tragedy; there’s little comfort in that. They mean that somehow, someway, in the midst of hopelessness and despair, God has a plan and everything is going according to plan....
Unfermented wine or a half-baked idea? The Truth about Alcohol in the Bible
Jesus was a pacifist. Jesus was a vegetarian. Jesus was a bold Asian dude with a pet dragon named Jet Li. It seems everyday someone makes a new claim about Jesus. Usually this is done to help support a movement or an organization and their core beliefs. One such...
Will We Use Power Tools or Tonka Trucks to Help Build Up the Church? Unwrapping the Gifts of the Spirit Today
My most recent blogs have dealt with the Gifts of the Spirit mentioned in First Corinthians 12. For some of you, this might have been very informative as a history lesson on early church practices, but the thought of seeing these gifts in action today made you ask: “Didn’t...
Which Bible should you read?
Time to check the mail… just received this in an email. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the NIV 2011 version. http://www.christianity.com/blogs/alexcrain/11654158/ Every time a new version of the Bible comes out, people immediately want to condemn it – usually to sell more magazines or drive...
The Prodigal Father (aka The Prodigal Son parable) Luke 15:11-32
Centuries ago someone came up with the title The Prodigal Son. As a result, much of its original meaning was lost in translation. The parable is not about the son! Most of us don’t need to be reminded of our rebelliousness; our fathers probably even have photographic evidence to...
Born to die, Raised so we can live: The humanity of Jesus
Click on the picture and get ready to laugh! I might risk a stoning by saying this, but it needs to be said if we are ever going to learn how to truly live. The miracles of Jesus were not born out of His divinity; the miracles of Jesus...