This week we have been fact-checking Christian statements about sin. In part 3 yesterday we looked at the phrase “all sins are the same.” Today we’re investigating its opposite: sins are different. There is an important sense in which sins are very, very different, and they are not the same. In part 3, we sawContinue reading “All sins are not the same? [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 4]”
Monthly Archives: February 2019
All sins are the same? [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 3]
This week I’ve started a blog series that will run for 11 weeks, in which we are fact checking ideas that Christians believe that might be totally false or at least partially so. This week we are looking at ideas about sin. Check out the first posts here and here that introduce the series andContinue reading “All sins are the same? [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 3]”
Attempting to define sin [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 2]
What are some of the famous phrases that you have heard about sin? Have you heard these phrases before? All sins are the same. No sin is worse than any other. Or it’s contrast, some sins are worse than others. Love the sinner, hate the sin. You might look at that list and think, “ButContinue reading “Attempting to define sin [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 2]”
Fact-checking our beliefs [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 1]
Did you know Napoleon wasn’t really short? Or that oil doesn’t keep pasta from sticking? Or that the whole right brain vs. left brain thing might not be true? I found this series of false facts from Readers Digest, and some are really surprising and fun. When you think about these facts, it reminds usContinue reading “Fact-checking our beliefs [False ideas Christians believe about…Sin. Part 1]”
Why we can follow God’s way even when we’re scared or anxious [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 5]
What mountains are you facing? This past year, I started doctoral studies, and the thought of researching, writing and defending a dissertation feels like a vast, unconquerable mountain. If I’m honest, sometimes being a pastor of church feels that way too. As does parenting or living out the way of Jesus in our complex world.Continue reading “Why we can follow God’s way even when we’re scared or anxious [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 5]”
God’s blunt song and Moses’ blessing song [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 4]
If God were to write a song to you, what do you think the lyrics would say? The first idea that enters my mind is that God would write a song about how much he loves us. But maybe I’m wrong about that. In Deuteronomy 32, we read a song that God wrote, and itContinue reading “God’s blunt song and Moses’ blessing song [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 4]”
How God’s mercy changes the future [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 3]
Do you feel stuck? Maybe you see some light breaking through the darkness, but there is a wall, a forest that seems like it is blocking the way. Maybe it feels like you will never get past the difficult situation you face. When we are in the middle of pain, we can wonder if GodContinue reading “How God’s mercy changes the future [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 3]”
Grim last words from a beloved leader? [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 2]
Have you felt the sting of words that make you want to hide your face? Words have great power to wound, and power to heal. Last words are particularly meaningful and impactful. Maybe you’ve heard someone give their last words before death. More than likely you still remember them. What do you want your lastContinue reading “Grim last words from a beloved leader? [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 2]”
An embarrassing dream told me the truth about my life [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 1]
I want to tell you about a dream I had this week. I’ve had a similar one before. Maybe you’ve had one like this too. My dream started as I was sitting in a chair at a pool party at a place I didn’t recognize. At the party were some of my kids’ friends andContinue reading “An embarrassing dream told me the truth about my life [How God feels about our fear – Deuteronomy 31-34, part 1]”
Practices for a blessed life [Deuteronomy 26-28]
Today we’re talking about practice. At the time of the interview above, Allen Iverson was taking heat for skipping practice. We’re going to find that being committed to practice can save us from a whole bundle of trouble. Turn to Deuteronomy.26:16-19. This little section at the end of chapter 26 will transition us to theContinue reading “Practices for a blessed life [Deuteronomy 26-28]”
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