Though I went to Bible college, I can say without hesitation that the Shakespeare class I took during my junior year is in my top 5 classes of my undergrad career. A couple factors made the class so good. First, it was the prof, Dr. Joan Tompkins, who presented Shakespeare to us in anContinue reading “How Shakespeare and Dumb & Dumber transformed my life”
Author Archives: joelkime
Unmasking Halloween
Last week, I asked “What could be wrong with Halloween?” Well…maybe this: The Encyclopedia Britannica notes that Halloween has “its origins in Samhain, one of the most-sinister festivals on the Celtic calendar. The ancient Celts believed that on November 1 the souls of those who had died returned to visit their homes or to journeyContinue reading “Unmasking Halloween”
Halloween and Horror…should we be concerned?
What kinds of commercials are you seeing on TV in the very few spots that are not already taken by election commercials? This time of year there are always lots of commercials advertising the latest horror movies. It’s Halloween season, and they’re trying to scare you. But why at Halloween? Have you ever thought aboutContinue reading “Halloween and Horror…should we be concerned?”
What Christians should do on election day (and a Christian approach to government)
What should Christians do on voting day? Vote. That may seem simple. But before we assume that is the only obvious answer, let’s ask another question: to vote or not to vote? Is it ever wrong to not vote? Many frustrated people have said that they are not going to vote. Many do not. ThisContinue reading “What Christians should do on election day (and a Christian approach to government)”
Why I’m talking about the election this Sunday
This may be the most stupid preaching decision I’ve ever made. This coming Sunday as we continue our series, Life in These United States, I’m talking about government. And with only a few weeks left until our general election, I need to talk about politics. My tag line for the sermon series has been “We’reContinue reading “Why I’m talking about the election this Sunday”
Do you parents feel like going on strike?
Sometimes we parents feel like we need a break. We can feel exhausted, frustrated, and like we want to go on strike. In 2004, the parents in the picture above did just that. You can read all about it here. Parenting can be hard. Do you feel like parenting can drive you crazy? That whileContinue reading “Do you parents feel like going on strike?”
How I found out I am prejudiced (how you might be too…and what we can do about it)
I don’t think that I am prejudiced. At all. How about you? Do you think you are prejudiced? This week in my research for my sermon on race, ethnicity and diversity, I came across a fascinating study and book called Blind Spot. In the book, the authors say that: “To better understand the roots ofContinue reading “How I found out I am prejudiced (how you might be too…and what we can do about it)”
What does God say about race and diversity?
This weekend my sermon is about race. Our sermon series is called Life in These United States, and we’re talking about what everyone is talking about. Race relations have been in the news a lot in recent years, and again this week there have been two shootings of black men by police officers. These shootingsContinue reading “What does God say about race and diversity?”
The surprising thing God says about sex
You fill in the blank: “Sex is ________”. Too often we Christians have responded to our culture in negative, hurtful ways that have led people to conclude that we hate sex, that we think sex is bad. Our young people have heard so often “don’t have sex”, that many Christians teens are scared of it,Continue reading “The surprising thing God says about sex”
What does the Bible say about Sex?
I feel a bit like the parent who knows they ought and need to talk with their pubescent child about the birds and the bees, but because it is so awkward they procrastinate. Except this time, I’m talking to the church, an entire congregation, on a Sunday morning, about the birds and bees. Yeah, weContinue reading “What does the Bible say about Sex?”
Engaging Scripture 