Today is a big day in our Country. The United States Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments regarding California’s “Prop 8” ban on same-sex marriage. The suit that will be heard by the Court is being brought by one lesbian and one gay couple, challenging the voter-approved ban. As I’ve listened to the rhetoric on…
Category: Christianity
A Church That Fails to Pray…
(This post is re-published from the March edition of Road Signs, the monthly informational newsmag of The Gathering, Chattanooga.) A church that fails to pray, fails. I believe this statement and am coming to understand it more and more. How easy it is to become so busy that the very thing that empowers our efforts…
Right now in the Chapel at The Gathering!
Right now in the Chapel at The Gathering!
The Armor of God…now what?
Yesterday saw the conclusion of The Armor of God at The Gathering. It’s been an important series, challenging us to “suit up and power up” every day. If you missed any or all of it, you can watch it here on our archives page. So, now what? Now, you look for the battle. It’s…
Some Thoughts on a Tragedy
I’ve been deeply affected by the news coming out today of the intensely tragic shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. We find ourselves asking how anybody could do something so heartless; so devoid of humanity? It seems hard to comprehend, doesn’t it? Though I won’t go extensively into how I think it’s possible…
On Presidential Politics and the Evangelical Dilemma
There seems to be a great deal of confusion rising regarding the upcoming elections among Evangelical Christians. On the one hand, there is a candidate who claims to be a Christian, yet whose policies fly in the face of that claim. On the other is a candidate whose policies largely agree with traditional orthodox Christianity…
Psalm 25
Psalm 25:1-7 1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me…
Quiet the Chaos
Do you ever get to that place where you get so busy and so stressed that all you want to do is climb in a corner and hibernate? Or cry? Or drink five Monsters and end it all right there? You feel like you’re at the end of the thread that’s hanging off the end…
Marty Duren: A plea to all media outlets re: ‘the Westboro cult’
I want to encourage you to read a very important post by my friend, Marty Duren, about the “Westoboro Cult.” As an open letter to the mass media, Marty calls for the end of using “Baptist Church” when referring to this fringe group claiming to be Christian, arguing that in the same way that journalists…
The Power of Words
Words are powerful, aren’t they? I don’t know that we realize that often enough until we find ourselves at the receiving end of a few choice ones. Words have amazing potential to empower people to fly higher and accomplish more than they ever thought possible…or to make them crash and burn. Culture Wars Ignited In…
My Take On the Chick-fil-A Flap
I suppose I should start out with a disclaimer so some of you don’t turn me off before reading any further: I do not support the spirit behind the image posted to the right. I really don’t think it’s helpful (clever as it may be). However, it highlights an important point that deserves serious attention:…
Difficulty Facing A World of Contradictions
In my recent blog post related to the contradictory stand on the value of human life in American culture, I claimed that, according to the law of the land, a fetus is deemed human according to the desire of the mother. If the mother wanted to give birth to the child and the child is…
On Patriotic Worship
If you come to The Gathering on big-time patriotic days like the 4th of July expecting fireworks, flag waving, or a full repertoire of chill-enducing patriotic songs, you’re likely to be sorely disappointed. The reason is simple: we don’t do it. The more important question is, of course, why. I know that in America, it…
On the NSPA’s Apology For “Savage” Remarks
Maybe you’ve heard of the inflamatory speech by gay rights activist and “anti-bullying expert,” Dan Savage. I referenced this article about it on my Facebook page yesterday and many writers and bloggers have reported on it. The craziest thing I’ve heard, though, is how the National Scholastic Press Association, organizers of the event at which…
To Stand
For anyone who has been at The Gathering for any length of time, you know that I am regularly on the proverbial soap box regarding the absolute nature of Truth regardless of how normative the current culture speaks to the contrary. There is right and there is wrong. Right doesn’t become wrong over time nor…
Drive Through Prayer?
A church in Ft. Lauderdale has begun offering drive-thru prayer services for those in need. Good idea, right? After all, who couldn’t use a little prayer? The Pentecostal congregation has been offering drive-thru prayer services every Friday for the last month, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Outreach Pastor Sol Levy says many who pass through have…
Mission…Impossible?
How often do we limit ourselves based on what think we can and cannot do? “I can’t” is the rally cry of the weak. Yet, Scripture says that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13, emphasis added) and that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” (Romans 8:37). So,…
Rob Bell Attempts to Explain Apparent Inconsistencies in Love Wins
MSNBC interview with Martin Bashir: What do you think? Did he adequately answer the questions or did he continue in the postmodern practice of embracing and promoting contradictory propositions? UPDATE: Listen to an excellent follow-up interview with Martin Bashir.
Love Wins, Part Deux: The Review
Borrowing the words of that great pop-philosopher, Charlie Sheen, Love Wins is a, “Duh, winner!” Not so fast. Would anybody else second that? Depends on your theological persuasion. Love wins has been reviewed now and the verdict is about the same as before: If you’re interested in Universalism, this book is for you. If you’re…
Who Wins?
So, Rob Bell, young evangelical’s favorite controversial expounder of questionable truth, has a new book coming out. For the record, no, I’m not a fan and, yes, I’m fine with you knowing that. In the stream of what has emerged as the emergent church movement in which the Gospel is regularly compromised and a kinder,…