Walking about, following Christ
“As a husband, father, I have a biblical obligation to provide for my family, whether that means incurring debt, working multiple jobs, etc., but I don't think I have a biblical obligation to provide for all families at any cost. In the same way… does our government have a biblical mandate to care for the poor around the world, or is that the mandate of the church?”
The balance of the planet.
My attempt to organize some thoughts and information around a current issue.
At two miles, my office is almost the perfect distance for a bicycle commute.
The early church did not have such problems.
I've heard of churches arguing and dividing over everything from theology to the color of the carpet - but an argument over coffee was a new one for me.
Ah, those silly disciples. Always thinking that Jesus' job was to kick out the Romans.
Maybe it's from being in academic settings for too long, or maybe it's just because I'm a nerd.
My mind is a cluttered place.
“The man of Metropolis steals our hearts” – Sufjan Stevens
“If you're here for the market, then it's miracles and wonders you'll be trading.”
I got a new book. Short. Self-published. It will never be a best seller.
Alice walks into the living room. “Why is the teapot whistling?” she asks. Bob answers, ”Water falling at the hydroelectric plant turns a turbine, which generates electricity…”
I have a new site and a new Bible study.
On the last two weeks before sending one's son to college.
The nice thing about having a blog is that I'm free to occasionally wander wherever I like, and I've been reading some good books lately, so here we go.
Jeremiah is a weird book.
“If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile. You have to fight.” Haven't we been doing that?
Why do we study Bible stories? We touched on recently in looking at the lives of David, Saul, and Solomon, but it's worth a closer look.
At the risk of stating the obvious, Nero was not a nice man.
50,000 dead.
David's life can be viewed as a tragedy. How does he fare compared to the other kings of Israel and Judah?
“Will she wear that dress? Will she wear that black dress? As holy as the night, as holy as I want to feel. I want to feel all right.”
I hurt my back last week. By itself, this isn't very interesting. What's more surprising to me is how quickly and easily the injuries happened.
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The British monarchy is a strange institution.
Aaron's robe is (not) a hazmat suit.
On the destruction of the Georgia Guidestones.
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
It's hard to go online without finding political opinions. Too bad they all disagree with each other.
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
What do a pandemic blog post, a president's pro-life conversion, a billion-dollar energy company, and a possibly kitschy Christian film have in common?
The mathematics of the Fall.
Inappropriate Christmas songs for an inappropriate Christmas season.
“I just feel angry all the time. I feel like I'm going to snap. There's so much wrong in society right now.”
How did American culture become less religions? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.
If God had done that for us, and done nothing else — it would have been enough!
I like Paul.
Let's talk about Congress. No, not the story you're probably thinking of. Although we'll get to that later.
Jesus had a lot more than twelve followers.
“I'm not sure what to use for Christmas cards this year. It really hasn't been a very good year.”
Last month was hard.
On the Pharisee and the tax collector.
How can a Christian who believes in the sanctity of life and that life begins at conception vote for a pro-choice candidate?
I started drafting this a couple of months ago and never got around to finishing it. It's a bit outdated and a bit political, but I still wanted to share it.
I've been using the New English Translation, or NET Bible, as my version of choice on my YouVersion Bible app for a few years now.
A response to Wayne Grudem, who no doubt has better things to do than to read it.
Some (hopefully!) non-partisan thoughts how we ought to approach politics in the first place.
I have a problem when I go to study the Beatitudes. I think, “Yeah, I already know this,” and I start skimming ahead.
Praise God for the nonnatural world of cities and civilizations.
“We have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
The pitfalls of being productive at doing the wrong things.
We had a healing service at our church this week.
Much of my job as a software developer consists of solving problems.
Good theology should never be merely academic. It should have application; it should affect our lives.
Continued from part 1.
Let's talk theology. In particular, for this Easter season, the theology of the Atonement — why Jesus became a human and was crucified and rose again and how this brings about our salvation.
I have a mole on my forehead.
The real-life story of the persecution of Japanese Christians.
General David Petraeus sinned.
It's Tuesday night, and all anyone seems to want to talk about is the election.
I've been reading the “Tales of the Otori,” a series of five historical fantasy novels by Lian Hearn set in an imaginary Japan.
“Don't look at me if you're looking for perfection. Don't look at me, I will only let you down… Look at Him.”
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.”
What motivated the Aurora, Colorado shooter?
The gift of the church.
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I attended two funerals in 2010.