1) The world says: "If you want to be great, you need to climb to the top of the ladder so others will serve you." Christianity says: "The greatest among you will be your servant" Matthew 23:11 2) The world says: "Suffering is to be avoided at all costs" Christianity says: "Rejoice that you participate …
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Is Anything True Anymore?
Recently there was a gathering in Australia called The World Parliament of Religions. It was a meeting of thousands of people representing every conceivable religious group and idea that you can imagine. There were the standard Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish groups. But you also had Native American, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, (didn't even know there …
Charisma Magazine Article on Church Drop Outs
I thought some of you might be interested in this article on changes happening in churches in which I am asked about the work I am doing with Simple Churches. My part is short but the article is interesting as a whole. http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/features/2009/december/23878
Reflections of Being Knife Attacked in South Asia
Many of you know that I just returned from a trip to South Asia. A friend of mine, Joey Shaw was also there, having arrived a few days before me for the same event. The day before I arrived, Joey and two other friends were attacked and Joey was knifed across the face ending up …
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A Church for Dogs or a Church for Homeless People?
At the risk of saying something way inappropriate I am writing this post while still emotionally charged after reading two news reports at http://www.ministriestoday.com. Both items where about churches in the Los Angeles area. One talked about a move among some area churches to seriously minister to the 8,000 homeless families in greater L.A. The …
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God, Football, and the First Amendment
I read a news article about a Georgia high school forbidding certain Christian statements and Bible verses being painted on banners that the cheerleaders made for the football team. (School bans Bible Verses) Having played football and served as a coach for 20 years, I have seen my share of cheerleader produced banners. Most of …
You’re Already Dead if You are Following Jesus
One of my favorite books of all time is Band of Brothers written by Stephen Ambrose. It was turned into an award-winning mini-series on HBO. The story followers Easy Company of the 506th Battalion of the 101st Airborne division from their time in training in Georgia, to D-Day in Normandy, all the way to the …
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Where Jesus and Moses Meet
I recently spent three days in Egypt doing leadership training for 500 Egyptian pastors and business leaders. During my last night there my hotel overlooked the Nile River. I was reminded once again that Moses took a little float trip down this very river as a baby, nearly 4000 years ago. I later visited The …
Reba, Reincarnation, Recycling, and Redemption
Reba McEntire is an amazing talent and an inspiration on many levels. Please don't take this as a personal attack on the Country and Western icon. But among the list of her many talents, theologian is probably not near the top of the list. Why do I say that? It comes as a result of …
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Provocative Christian Living: Crossing the Racial Divide
Recently former President Jimmy Carter made the accusation that the opposition to health care reform, including the outburst by South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson is motivated by racism. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/15/carter.obama/index.html On the other end of the spectrum there are many who are saying that racism plays no part what-so-ever in that debate or other disagreements with …
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Everyone Wants a Piece of Jesus
Having taught several courses on World Religions I find it fascinating that people strongly object to the Christian doctrine that Jesus is the only way to heaven. It is especially curious when you consider that other major religions have included Jesus in their systems. In some cases they seem to revere Jesus as much as, …
When Are You In Church?
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Matthew 18:20 If a few followers of Jesus are gathered together in His name and He is there as He promised, doesn't that mean by definition that you have "The Church"? If the church is the ekklesia, the …
Provocative Bible Verses: Cutting Off Limbs for Jesus
7"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than …
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Seeing The Gospel Transform a Nation
Today I felt like I was observing history in the making. I was one of over two hundred people who gathered for the African Forum on Religion and Government just outside Nairobi Kenya. The Minister of Information from Liberia spoke about how Jesus is changing that nation. He was followed by the Vice President of …
Should you really be afraid of God?
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 1st Chronicles 15:25 That verse from 1st Chronicles is one of more than fifty times in the Bible when fearing God is viewed as a virtue. Yet for all that frequency it may be one of the …
The Provocative Christian 