In the previous post, we read something very dark about David, who was supposed to be a man after God’s own heart. In 1st Samuel 27, we learned that David and his men go out on raids, slaughtering people. Men and women. Also, David clearly didn’t want his new king, the Philistine, Achish, to knowContinue reading “How could David slaughter men and women…and lie about it? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 4”
Tag Archives: politics
The diminishment of the American presidency – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 5
A few years ago I was in a doctoral class about leadership, and we were talking about the American presidential election coming soon. My professor made what I thought was a very irresponsible comment, “The person in the White House matters very little.” My professor is a deep thinker, so I was surprised to hearContinue reading “The diminishment of the American presidency – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 5”
Evaluating placing our hopes in a political candidate – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 3
In the previous post, we learned that after the Israelite elders ask Samuel to give them a king, God warns them that while having a king might sound effective or powerful like the nations around them, it could easily backfire. That warning didn’t make a dent in the elders’ desire for a king. In 1stContinue reading “Evaluating placing our hopes in a political candidate – 1st Samuel 8-10, Part 3”
How to have strong opinions and be humble too – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 5
In the first post in this series, I talked about unity as Christians agreeing on top tier issues. What are top tier issues? That God is father, son and Holy Spirit, and that it is only through God the Son, Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection that sin, death and the devil are defeated, andContinue reading “How to have strong opinions and be humble too – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 5”
How do we have conversations with people whose view of the world is so different from our own? – Preview
I was recently in a conversation with a friend who said there is a concerted movement in the United States to destroy Christianity. Immediately yellow “Caution” signs flashed in my brain, and I thought, “Oh boy, where is this coming from, and where is this going?” My friend went on describe, with authority, that allContinue reading “How do we have conversations with people whose view of the world is so different from our own? – Preview”
Does our culture need to change? – Creating Culture, Part 1
What is a uniquely Christian approach to bringing change our culture? It’s a big question. Christians have many opinions about how to answer it. Often very different opinions. Before we can attempt an answer to the question, I think we need to examine the question. The question, “What is Christian approach to changing culture?” assumesContinue reading “Does our culture need to change? – Creating Culture, Part 1”
Are we allowing anything to block our worship of God – John 2:12-25, Part 5
John tells us his disciples would remember this day. Look at verse 22. The disciples remember Jesus’ cryptic statement after Jesus rose again on the third day, and they finally understand what he meant. The temple was his body. He died and rose again! The disciples remembered what he said, and they believed that ScriptureContinue reading “Are we allowing anything to block our worship of God – John 2:12-25, Part 5”
When you disagree with your church, you should stay? – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 5
What should you do when you disagree with your church, or with the people in your church? In the previous post, I referred to a podcast that lists three options. 1. Stay, but don’t speak up. 2. Stay and work for change. 3. Leave. If you haven’t read it already, check out the previous post,Continue reading “When you disagree with your church, you should stay? – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 5”
When to leave a church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 4
This week I have been attempting to make the case that a church should be purple. What is a purple church? In a purple church family, we believe and live the principle that all people are equally loved in Christ, and thus we are one in Christ. As we saw in the previous posts (hereContinue reading “When to leave a church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 4”
Why we are a Purple Church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 1
This past November 2020, I preached one of my quarterly current events sermons right before the election. Earlier in the year, as I was planning the preaching schedule, it seemed wise to have a current events sermon the Sunday prior to what was shaping up to be a major political event. Of course, any presidentialContinue reading “Why we are a Purple Church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 