“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the name who carries out evil devices!” – Psalm 37:7 I’ve been thinking a lot about patience lately. There’s two reasons for it. First, my almost one-year-old daughter is cutting teeth. She has … Continue reading On Patience
Thoughts on Scripture
Palm Sunday, a Parody
Palm Sunday is this weekend. This is the Sunday that Christian churches all over the world remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, a narrative that’s recorded in each of the four Gospels (Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19). This is also the Sunday that many churches in my tradition … Continue reading Palm Sunday, a Parody
Tensions Between Unity & Truth
This is the second sermon in a series that I started last week. The first one can be found here: Tensions Between Truth & Unity. But if you'd prefer to listen to this message instead of just reading it, you can find the video recording here: https://youtu.be/vdfJaM8ZkR8 Tensions Between Unity & Truth (Acts 15:19-35, 16:1-5) … Continue reading Tensions Between Unity & Truth
Dishonest Leadership Destroys Community
“If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.” – Proverbs 29:12 About a decade ago, I worked a part-time job at Best Buy. I was a sales associate in the home theater department, which meant that it was my goal to sell as many high-end televisions and home-audio solutions as I … Continue reading Dishonest Leadership Destroys Community
Tensions Between Truth & Unity
Here is the sermon manuscript for a message I delivered at Word of Life Baptist church on 2/21/21. I often post these manuscripts because not everyone has been able to return to in-person services, and they are one additional way for the local body here to stay connected and engaged within the teaching of our … Continue reading Tensions Between Truth & Unity
Habakkuk: Active Faith in Uncertain Times
Here’s an edited manuscript of the sermon I delivered at Word of Life Baptist Church on November 15th, 2020. I have removed some of the material that doesn’t lend itself to this format. Some have also asked me to explain more of what I mean about current Christian-like slogans. I will plan on writing a … Continue reading Habakkuk: Active Faith in Uncertain Times
On Listening (to Others)
“The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as the love of God begins with listening to His word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”[1] “Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not … Continue reading On Listening (to Others)
Why I’m Concerned
This is why I write about the topics that I write about. This is why I’m so concerned with idolatry. Let me be somewhat autobiographical. As a new Christian, I was very arrogant in my faith. I had memorized a lot of theological propositions, apologetic responses to perceived threats, and all the right evangelical catch-phrases. … Continue reading Why I’m Concerned
Isaiah and Idolatrous Efficiency
From the beginning of time, humanity has much preferred their own seemingly efficient solutions to accomplish the tasks that God has called them to do. God wished for Adam and Eve to learn in relationship with Him. They chose the quicker way to gain knowledge by eating from the tree. God wanted to make a … Continue reading Isaiah and Idolatrous Efficiency
Isaiah and the Devil
The “fall of Satan” is a story that even non-Christians know about. Often, this tale is told from an amalgamation of different passages found throughout both Testaments. We take bits of Ezekiel 28, Luke 10, Revelation 12, and Isaiah 14 to splice together a story about a prideful angelic being forced out of heaven who … Continue reading Isaiah and the Devil
Scripture Simplified 