Christianity 2009.1: What They Think
Christians have an image problem. Many people outside the Christian faith, many of them young adults, have little trust in the Christian faith. Outsiders admit their emotional and intellectual barriers go up around Christians and they reject Jesus and Christians because they feel Christians are rejecting them. I don’t meet a lot of people who have never heard the word of Jesus Christ. I do however meet a lot of people who were once Christian but have now left or even worse reject the faith altogether. Generation X and Y have thrown a whole new dynamic into our faith. These …
Christianity 2009: Preface
These posts are going to be a huge collaboration of my frustrations, opinions, and my “state of the union” for our faith currently. It will encompass numerous posts and probably take us a month. I have been extensively researching this topic as this is one of my biggest issues and concerns with Christianity currently. “What has happened to Christianity and why are we seen as the enemy to many of the younger generations.” Please understand, I am going to quote a lot of data and research from people looking at our faith from the outside and much of it will …
Lets Stand For Nothing
I just read AP sports writer’s Teresa M. Walker’s article on McNair’s pastor and close friend cautioning against judging the ex-NFL quarterback, reminding people who gathered for his memorial not to cast the first stone. Tolerance is going to be the death of the US. As the everyday Christian’s values are daily under attack and repressed the so called leaders of the kingdom of God have become weak and compromised. First it was Micheal Jackson now McNair’s sexual exploits are being over looked due to lifetime achievements. There are ways to comfort a family in loss but please don’t cheapen …
Thinking About A Tragedy
By now everyone is likely well aware of the events of July 4th in Nashville, TN, when former NFL star Steve McNair and his 20 year old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, died in what appears to be a shocking and tragic murder-suicide. Below are some thoughts. It’s a tragedy … … that two lives have ended so senselessly … that the ultimate price was paid – and for what? … that the circumstances surrounding these deaths are so dark and twisted … that a grieving wife is left to pick up the shattered pieces of a lifelong commitment … that a …
Oh Reverend Where Art Thou ?
Mad dog reporters are frantically seeking interviews with all who knew the late Michael Jackson, with the hope of shedding light on the mysteries behind his passing. One famous reporter … known for his prime-time television interviews with celebrities and “fresh news personalities” … asked two “Reverends” several questions about the life and death of Jackson. These two “ministers” spoke of his accomplishments and talents as an entertainer and humanitarian … but mentioned nothing about Jackson’s spiritual connection with GOD. With a national audience listening these men of the church never spoke the name of our only eternal hope. They …
thumbs down warning
There are several black-top roads to take on the way to my church office. I enjoy a different route from time to time to see the country side of Illinois, away from people. This morning I am cruising along at 60mph in a 50mph speed zone. The driver of an on-coming car holds his arm out the window and starts giving me this wild thumbs down gesture repeatedly. My initial reaction ? This guy has already had too much coffee. I slowed down to look at him in my rear view mirror and then as I turned my head back …
the devil's chaplain
A few months ago I visited my Dad in the hospital as he was recovering from a mild heart attack shortly after gall bladder surgery. During my time with him I had an opportunity to speak with the hospital chaplain. She claimed she was ordained by her church denomination and felt God calling her to this specific kind of ministry. However, when I asked her about the challenges of not compromising the gospel of Jesus while interacting with various religious beliefs … here was her response. “I simply listen and do my best to connect people of all faiths … …
Dan Allender Quote
“What does it mean to be a man who leads? It means you repent first, you allow yourself to be broken first.”
wow, impressive title
Seems I often encounter folks who, when pressed hard enough, will actually admit that they are a Christian. Yet it appears the last thing in the world they want to talk about is a relationship with GOD. They bore you to death with sports stuff, weather worries, financial flops, and political parties. Yet GOD, Jesus and Biblical truths remain a forbidden topic. Perhaps these “christians” should just say they are not Christians and get it over with. After all this title has more significance than a BS, an MA … a PhD … or a CEO. The title that identifies …
mickey for willie
In the 1950′s and 60′s my brother and I used to collect and trade baseball cards with our friends around school and the neighborhood. The heroes back then where men like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris, Sandy Kofax, Bob Gibson and Frank Robinson. It was a thrill to make a big trade … especially if you received one of your long time favorite players in exchange for a few “bad players”. The greatest trade arrangement in the world came on a hill just outside of Jerusalem . On that day 2,000 years ago Jesus offered the trade …
