Let’s Admit It, Christianity IS a Crutch!

Regardless of where you are on your spiritual pilgrimage, you have shared or heard this view of Christianity. Karl Marx famously coined the phrase, “Religion is the opiate for the masses”. Many believe that religion is designed for people who are incapable of dealing with life’s turbulences. Critics believe these are people that are emotionally [...]

Hypocrites in the Church

Hypocrites in the Church “There are too many hypocrites for me to ever be a Christian”. This is probably one of the most frequently quoted rebuttals against the Christian faith. And usually, the examples lying therein are absolutely on point. The daily news cycle is replete with accounts of professing Christians soiling their reputations after [...]

A Confession of the Heart

Where were you? I remember the day that Saddam Hussein was captured. Do you remember where you were? I will never forget it. I was sleeping on my cot in a tent in southeast Iraq (modern day Ur-birthplace of Abraham) near a city called Al Nasiriyah. The clamor, commotion, and shouts were almost deafening. With [...]

I Still Want Barabbas

I Still Want Barabbas   Have you ever been in a car with a bunch of hungry people, going through a restaurant drive-thru? I have, and I am not a fan, especially if I’m the driver. It’s not so bad if what everyone wants is perfectly arranged in one of the displayed combos. The problem [...]

You Might Be Pavlov’s Dog

Several years ago B.C. (Before Children), my wife and I were out with some friends and their kids. As we headed to our cars, we could hear loud music emanating from a car speeding by. I can’t remember what song or style the music was, but I do recall a pretty heavy drum beat. I [...]

What’s So Good About a Funeral?

What’s So Good about a Funeral? My wife’s grandmother passed away 2 weeks ago at the age of 77. When I was asked to preach the funeral sermon, I was humbled and began preparing diligently for it. While studying several passages, one jumped out at me and forever changed my view of death and mourning. [...]

Being a “Me” addict

When I saw the news that Tiger Woods checked himself into rehab over his “sex addiction”, I immediately identified with those who said, “This is just his way of having a plausible defense hoping to absolve himself from the consequences of adultery”. Others remarked, “What man DOESN’T have this addiction?” Some of us remember this [...]

Painful Experiences

I often struggle with dealing with painful experiences. It’s difficult sometimes to have the proper, God-centered approach when thinking on hurtful situations. Kenny Luck, Men’s Pastor at Saddleback Church, has a great post on a proper theology of our hurtful and painful experiences.

Michael Jackson and a Break Dancing Preacher

The Offense When I was a boy – maybe 5 years old – I wanted to be a “break dancing preacher” when I grew up. I loved break dancing music, back then. I used to practice my “moves” on the rug of our living room of our home on Plainview, in Detroit Michigan. I guess [...]

Sticks and Stones……

Titanic This Wednesday was the 97th anniversary of the Titanic shipwreck of 1912. I first saw the award-winning movie, Titanic, almost 12 years ago. Like most, I thought it was sad to see the innocent lives lost. I wasn’t even a parent yet, but the scene with the mom tucking the kids in while knowing that the ship was sinking really [...]