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The Generous Early Church
Throughout the stories of the early church in Acts, we see examples of generosity over and over again. We see that “they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (2:45) and that they “received their food with glad and generous hearts” (2:46). One Christian couple even…
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Living Hospitably
In our pursuit of individualism, American hospitality is dying. It’s not custom to greet new neighbors with a pan of brownies or get to know them at all, because (A) who knows how long they’ll be around and (B) getting to know people is now considered a violation of privacy. We would much rather sit…
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New Book in the Works
After releasing two books in 2017, you’d think I’d be sick of writing by now—but instead I’m back at it again, this time writing on the topic that inspired me to become a pastor: the Holy Spirit. I suppose a highly supernatural book will be a good follow up to my previous, more scientifically-minded book,…
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Was Humanity Immortal in the Beginning?
I often get so focused on the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in Eden that I forget that there were actually two trees in the garden—the other one being the Tree of Life. Reading the story in this light shows us that death was already in the world. God told Adam and Eve…
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The Strange Interaction at the Fall
No matter how many times I reread Genesis, I find there’s always something new to learn. In this case it was my friend Janae at Bible study last night who pointed out how it was strange that of all the things Adam could have been afraid of after he ate from the tree, it was…
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The Fourth Cup of the Last Supper
There was a tradition at Passover in Jesus’ time that speaks volumes as to what Jesus was communicating at the Last Supper. Scholars have done their best to reconstruct these traditions and in the light of them, everything from the Last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross (to the end times?) comes…
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What is Joy?
In my first few months of pastoring, I decided I was going to preach on the topic of joy. Our newly relaunched church was that of two churches becoming one and this brought with it some awkwardness and confusion. We had to figure out who we were and what pieces of each church would continue…
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A Scientific-Minded Supernaturalist
Being an avid Charismatic, it’s ironic that I wrote a more scientific book on aliens called, Alien Theology. For before I made myself aware of science, I spent much of my time pursuing the supernatural ways of God. I’ve seen people healed while praying for them. I’ve casted out demons. I’ve had spiritual dreams and…
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When Your Theme Bible Verse Destroys Your Event
I had to chuckle today at an ad for a church event I saw called, “Wine & Scripture.” Apparently it’s a wine tasting event in which you explore the wonders of the Holy Spirit. Now even though I don’t drink, I don’t have a problem with the event or the church (they’re great people)—rather, what…
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Rain Doesn’t Choose Sides
If you have kids, you know it’s not always easy to get them to sit down at the table and eat—especially when you have to pull their video games away from them first. Such was the case on one summer night when I couldn’t get my almost-3-year-old to put down the Wii U gamepad and…
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