I like a backup plan. Sometimes I feel I need a backup plan. OK, I always feel like I need a backup plan. Maybe you do, too. After all, who’s gonna jump from an airplane without at least two rip cords, right? The question I want to ponder a little bit is this: Is…
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…
Just FYI, this country (meaning the US, which I assume is where you live) is not a theocracy, which means that the laws of this country (including the laws regarding abortion) should not be based on any one religion (or holy book) in particular. So just because your religion teaches you to think that abortion is morally wrong doesn’t mean a thing in terms of whether or not abortion should be illegal. So do you have any non-religious reasons as to why abortion should be illegalized?
Well, sure. 1. Abortion kills innocent life. 2. Killing innocent life is, by definition, murder. 3. Murder is illegal. 4. Therefore, abortion should be illegal. That’s not religious.
A World of Contradictions: Redux
For several years, I wrote and maintained a worldviews blog called Espresso Roast (toward the end, I invited a few friends to contribute, as well). Though I have long-since stopped writing on that blog, I do keep it online because there were a lot of things I commented on that I feel are still relevant to…
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…
Fatherly Advice
I realize not everyone has been blessed with kids, but if you have or hope to be, I want to encourage you to read part 1 of this very helpful and honest post on fatherhood by Dr. Thom Rainer.
The Pursuit of Wisdom
In case you’ve missed it, we are currently in the midst of a series on the book of Proverbs at The Gathering. It’s been amazing to see how God has used this in our lives already and we’re just in chapter 3! Who would have thought what appears to be a bunch of random sayings…
My boys getting ready to go on a run with me. (Taken with instagram)
Andrew swinging (Taken with instagram)
The fun in being five. (Taken with instagram)
Chattanooga morning (Taken with instagram)
The ice cream kid. He gets it honestly! (Taken with Instagram at Dairy queen)
Jacob waiting for his turn at the mic. 2012 Zone Modern Woodsman Speech Contest at Soddy Elementary School. (Taken with instagram)
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…
If you missed it, this is a video I put together for our Holy Saturday service called The Aftermath. (Source: http://player.vimeo.com/)
A whirlwind video tour of all that was going on at The Gathering workday on March 24, 2012. (Source: http://player.vimeo.com/)
