Check out the new podcast some friends and I started: The Unapologetic Journey

So a couple guys from church and I started a podcast! It’s called The Unapologetic Journey, and here’s what it is about: “The Unapologetic Journey is about living a life that is authentic to who God made us to be. Through their discussions and interviews, hosts Dusty Zook, Joel Leicy, and Joel Kime raise awarenessContinue reading “Check out the new podcast some friends and I started: The Unapologetic Journey”

Why David & Goliath is not an underdog story – 1st Samuel 17, Part 4

In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’m reblogging the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Why David & Goliath is not an underdog story – 1st Samuel 17, Part 4”

Do you have crippling fear? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 1

In 2018 I blogged a series titled “Characters” where I featured a number of famous Bible stories. One of those was David & Goliath from 1st Samuel chapter 17. Now in 2024, I am blogging through 1st and 2nd Samuel, and we’ve reached chapter 17. This week, I’ll reblog the “Characters” posts about David &Continue reading “Do you have crippling fear? – 1st Samuel 17, Part 1”

The deception of worship services (and a bonus topic: Does God command genocide???) – 1st Samuel 15, Part 1

Did Jesus ask us to hold worship services?  Did he ask us to build church buildings?  Did he want us to have pews?  Did Jesus teach us to gather here on Sundays for singing and sermons?  In the book Jim & Casper Go To Church, Jim is an evangelical Christian and Casper is Matt Casper,Continue reading “The deception of worship services (and a bonus topic: Does God command genocide???) – 1st Samuel 15, Part 1”

When (and why) God turned two men into real superheroes – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 4

In my family, I would venture a guess that Batman is the favorite superhero. We’ve watched loads of Batman films and TV shows, and played Batman video games. One of Batman’s signature abilities is a hand-to-hand fighting technique and speed that allows him to fight, successfully, large groups of assailants. Did you know that inContinue reading “When (and why) God turned two men into real superheroes – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 4”

It’s healthy “heart” week on the blog – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 1

In my family over the past few months, we’ve talked a lot about the heart.  Our granddaughter has had two open heart surgeries.  Here in Lancaster we have The Heart Group. The Heart Group website lists 55 practitioners who are all there to evaluate your heart.  My guess is that you have a medical practiceContinue reading “It’s healthy “heart” week on the blog – 1st Samuel 13 & 14, Part 1″

Struggling with war and peace – Boots of Peace, Preview

With war raging in Ukraine, Israel, and Myanmar, I wondered how many wars are happening across the globe right now as I write in fall 2023.  One tracker I found lists 32 countries currently involved in war, and my country, the USA, is not one of them.  Of those wars, 18 are terrorist wars, 9Continue reading “Struggling with war and peace – Boots of Peace, Preview”

How are you using your influence? – Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20, Part 1

Influence. How are you using your influence? I’m writing this in 2020 amid a global pandemic, political turmoil, racial tension, and many natural disasters. It doesn’t seem like most of have enough influence to affect change. Rather it seems the events of this year have surrounded and battered us like a tidal wave. It seemsContinue reading “How are you using your influence? – Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20, Part 1”

When trusting in God is scary [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 5]

What will really change the heart of humanity?  Fighting wars?  No!  Only Jesus. So what does trust in God look like when we are faced with strife in our world?  Christians should be known as a people who pray deeply for and strive for peace.  We should love our enemies.  We should seek to shareContinue reading “When trusting in God is scary [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 5]”

Should Christians take up arms? [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 4]

How should Christians view war?  We are not the nation of ancient Israel which had a special covenant with God.  We are the church, and we are under a new covenant.  So from this passage in Deuteronomy, we can learn God’s heart, but we have to also take into consideration the new covenant we haveContinue reading “Should Christians take up arms? [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 4]”