thoughts on @barackobama at the 2012 national prayer breakfast
For the record, I hate talking about politics. Specifically, I hate how divided people become when talking about politicians and how they deal with the issues. I know that ‘hate’ is a pretty strong word, and I rarely use it around here. But I feel like it’s important for people to understand that by sharing [...]
chasing them away
Reading blogs gives me a chance to step into the lives of others. I often come across many Christians who bash gathering in church for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons are painfully legitimate and some are simply unwilling to stay and make a difference because they come to be served, instead of [...]
purple jacket lady
I was at the drug store yesterday, in line for a prescription, and a woman in a purple jacket melted down…. just… went to pieces right there in the prescription line. “I can’t DO THIS ANYMORE!” She screamed at the stunned cashier, who blinked quickly while everyone stood there staring, watching Purple Jacket Lady hurtle [...]
addiction to ministry [part two]
![addiction to ministry [part two]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/coffee-with-friends-150x150.jpg)
“We need to get together sometime.” I said this to my friend as I had just finished unloading my stress on her willing shoulders. It’s because of my previous post that I realized ministry had become an unhealthy habit; too much ministry anyway. I had forgotten what it’s like to simply have coffee with a [...]
addiction to ministry [part one]
![addiction to ministry [part one]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/soldier-in-quicksand-150x150.jpg)
What is wrong with me? I came to church with stress hanging on me like an oversized jacket. My heart had focused on people instead of God’s provisions. Ministry failed to excite me. And then it hit me… Like quick sand, the more I struggled the faster the mire sucked me under. Soon, I didn’t [...]
the joys and challenges of working with refugees, part two
Over the past year, as I’ve had a crash course in refugee resettlement, I’ve learned so much. I am grateful every day for the stories I’ve heard and the facts I’ve gleaned about this vulnerable, misunderstood, and often forgotten population. I’ve learned: That only one percent of the 14 million-plus refugees in the world will ever be [...]
the trophy wall [a testimony of God's healing]
![the trophy wall [a testimony of God's healing]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/alexander-dowie-trophy-wall-150x150.jpg)
Jehovah Rapha. Among many other things, God reveals and refers to Himself as the Lord our Healer. So Moses cried out in prayer to God. God pointed him to a stick of wood. Moses threw it into the water and the water turned sweet. That’s the place where God set up rules and procedures; that’s where he started testing [...]
my child sponsorship story: samuel saul of haiti
We finally did it! Our family just sponsored a child, and we couldn’t be more excited! It’s something that we’ve wanted to do for a long time. The only reason we haven’t done it sooner is because we just wanted to be very prayerful and intentional about who we sponsored. We’re in this for the [...]
the joys and challenges of working with refugees, part one
As an eleven year-old dreamer in Dumas, a small town in the Texas panhandle, I attended mission classes at our local Baptist church and wondered if God would call me to be a missionary to Africa. The thought thrilled and terrified me at the same time. But I simply prayed, “God, use me as you see best. Wherever [...]
the rise of the “so whats”
I read an article in USA Today that talked about the rise of the ‘So Whats.’ What’s that? It’s people who do not claim to be a people of faith or staunch atheists; instead, they are a growing group who say, “So what?” As one person interviewed said, “(Growing up) I was saturated with both [...]
aren’t all souls equal?
Read John 13 “To the wondering patriarch He now says in effect, ‘It’s all right, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I might reign unchallenged there. I wanted to correct the perversion that existed in your love.’” [...]
the #haiti diaries 2012 [a @helpendpoverty trip]
![the #haiti diaries 2012 [a @helpendpoverty trip]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/haitian-child-school-150x150.jpg)
Since my last mission trip to Haiti, I couldn’t wait to get back. That was August 2010, just eight months after the earthquakes that shattered an already struggling nation. I’ve even made it down to the other side of the island, but my heart ached to be just across the border with the people I’ve [...]
they came bearing gifts [a #loveblitz report]
![they came bearing gifts [a #loveblitz report]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/loveblitz-4-150x150.jpg)
We gathered in the church parking lot. Everyone came bearing gifts. Everyone came to bless another in need. Everyone came because we wanted to show the kind of Love that Jesus taught would set us apart. During a time when we remember the birth of Christ and the visit of the wise men bearing gifts [...]
a look back: the top 11 from 2011
It’s been an incredible year! We officially moved to a multi-blogger format. We passed over 1,000 posts and half a million published words. And we’ve experienced continued, steady growth (over 70% per year for each of the last three years). We’ve even released the first book in the BibleDude Series… The Unlikley Missionary: From Pew-Warmer [...]
because He came, we have life [@bibledude advent series]
![because He came, we have life [@bibledude advent series]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/haitian-girl-smiling-150x150.jpg)
READ 1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. [...]
on sacrifice, service, and strength: [saint luke, the winged ox]
![on sacrifice, service, and strength: [saint luke, the winged ox]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/luke-winged-ox-150x150.jpg)
Historically, Luke has been symbolized by a winged ox or bull. It’s a figure of sacrifice, service and strength. These are the three qualities about Luke the New Testament writer that stand out the most as I try to imagine what his life would have been like. Stepping into the work that he was about [...]
dream bigger this Christmas!
Just Ask. None of my (suburban, American, well-fed and cared for) grandchildren has ever told me, “I want a rubber band this Christmas.” Nor “I asked Santa for a bowl of oatmeal.” Nor “I wish for a tube of toothpaste.” No. They dream big: They ask for new bicycles and good books to read and [...]
because He came, we have light [@bibledude advent series]
![because He came, we have light [@bibledude advent series]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/light-bulbs-150x150.jpg)
READ Psalm 18:28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, [...]
music + hope = water [#starboarders release]
![music + hope = water [#starboarders release]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/Starboarders2-150x150.jpg)
Every once in a while I come across a band that knocks my socks off. You know the one … great music, incredible lyrics, and just all around good people. Recently, I came in contact with a band that does more than just knock my socks off. They aren’t just a band that gets together [...]
how to ensure your efforts land you in the right place
Trajectory. This word has buzzed around in my head all week. tra·jec·to·ry [truh-jek-tuh-ree] noun, plural -ries. 1. the curve described by a projectile, rocket, or the like in itsflight. 2. the path described by an object moving in air or space under the influence of such forces as thrust, wind resistance, and gravity, esp the curved path of a projectile I blame Pastor Steve McCoy of 360 Church for making my head [...]
how we really know those who don’t really know
Just a thought. . . I’ve been thinking about what it means to know and if I’m not sure about a number of things, I’m sure of this: to know is to be able to help someone to know too. Now I’m not playing with words, but seriously, I have had my share of teachers who appear [...]
because He came, we have peace [@bibledude advent series]
![because He came, we have peace [@bibledude advent series]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/dove-150x150.jpg)
READ Psalm 29 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice [...]
a short lesson in journalism for the Christian blogger
On the first day of journalism class, I ask my budding new reporters an important question to kick things off: “By a show of hands, who in this room trusts news reporters?” And every time – every single time – no one raises a hand. (Insert sound of crickets here.) These are the students who [...]
because He came, we have joy [@bibledude advent series]
![because He came, we have joy [@bibledude advent series]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/advent-joy-150x150.jpg)
READ Psalm 16 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another [...]
