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 [...]
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 [...]
[finding neverland] the fastest week of my life…
![[finding neverland] the fastest week of my life…](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/shay-gerritsen-self-portrait-150x150.jpg)
Our week in Russia was pretty much the fastest week of my life so far. It seemed to be over before it even had the chance to begin. I’m desperately trying to hang on to my joy – that joy I have only in Russia. Sitting here at the ocean’s edge, toes in the sand, [...]
indescribable love
How can one describe the depths and mercy and grace that is God’s love? Lord, your love is indescribable, but oh, grant me words to try. Fill me with inspiration. Your love baffles, defies explanation, astounds. Your love whispers, clues abounding in its mystery, yet always slightly shrouded in the quest for more of it. Your [...]
are you in business for the money?
I have heard it time and time again. “Well, one goes into business to make money” or “People got laid off because, well, the business is there to make money.” The business is there to make money. Well, I don’t know if I agree anymore. At least in principle. I think we need to change [...]
separation from God
This past Sunday I was starting my usual afternoon Pastoral nap when there was a knock at the door. I got up to answer the door and I find it was two of my neighbors. These neighbors happen to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. They’ve stopped by a number of times to introduce themselves and to talk [...]
the love cup
I salvaged this coffee cup from a mountain of belongings left on the curb across the street after the family who abandoned the house two years ago came back to empty their overstuffed garage. Neighbors and strangers alike later culled through the piles, unearthing DVDs, furniture, a laptop, entire bags of clothing (some with tags still on [...]
when it seems like just another day
My feet closely follow Southern Gal’s across the black and white tiled floor. Hand in hand, we dance toward the counter, sidestepping an older gentleman who motions to a woman waiting and says, “I’m with my bride. Go ahead.” “Creepy,” I think to myself, but when I look at the beautiful girl holding my hand [...]
a culture of forgiveness
Man on his journey of purpose can sometimes be pictured as a runner in a race. Imagine a runner running with so much weight and load on him and another with nothing. The other with nothing is fit and has a better chance of winning the race. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with [...]
your love never fails [movie review]
![your love never fails [movie review]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/YourLoveNeverFails-100x100.jpg)
We all have to make choices. And our decisions impact every aspect of our lives. The choice to put in extra hours at work in order to get ahead may seem positive as it relates to providing for your family, but what’s the cost of more time away from those you love (and who love [...]
created with character
You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the [...]
i’m a drunk
I’m a drunk. I slide my car, sleek like the night around me, into gear and drive. Tucking the half empty bottle of alcohol between my legs, I loosely grip the steering wheel, and rub my hands along its cold leather exterior. Tonight, I am nobody. I’m just a guy in a car. No responsibilities… [...]
they came for the turkey, and we gave them The Lamb
I had to do it. When I heard what my friends at Harvest Tabernacle were doing for Thanksgiving, I just knew that I had to be a part of it. Every year this church gives away turkeys (and other food items) to hundreds of area families that wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise. The [...]
[management by God] making a stepford wife
![[management by God] making a stepford wife](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/LOVE_Park_fountain-100x100.jpg)
I love the classic (and remake) movie The Stepford Wives. I think every man has thought about what it would be like to have that “perfect” wife. You know, the one that anticipates and meets your every need. I also think that most women can even relate to the idea that it’d be cool to have [...]
[national unfriend day]: who would Jesus unfriend?
![[national unfriend day]: who would Jesus unfriend?](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/jesus-on-facebook-100x100.png)
I know I’m probably going against the grain here, but that’s kinda what I do… Jimmy Kimmel declared November 17th National Unfriend Day to encourage people to ‘cut the fat’ from their Facebook friends lists. Makes sense, right? After all, who wants friends that send all those annoying Farmville requests no matter how many times [...]
how to do a #loveblitz
What does love look like? It’s difficult to know where to start with this one. Maybe it’s enough to say that there were two conditions that existed in close proximity to each other… (1) A family with a need. (2) Lots of people in a church who want to love extravagantly because they were first [...]
the McChurch
This is the era of the quick, the easy, the flashy, the bright lights, the fake noses, the artificial, and the shortcuts. Our culture wants fast food, fast service, fast internet, immediate information, instant satisfaction. Sadly, today’s churches are not much different. Our purpose, our passion, the meat of what the church is has been [...]
taking your city…one heart at a time.
The thought of taking your city for Christ can sound awesome and exciting, yet daunting and intimidating at the same time. Can one person’s efforts really have a lasting and rippling effect on their city? I think so. I believe change starts from the inside out. And as we are being changed by the love [...]
perfect love, imperfect fear
Remember that time when you were a kid? You know… that time that you and some other kids (friends, siblings, whatever…) were horsing around and something broke. It wasn’t even your fault, but when dad came to see what happened you just knew that you were in trouble. Oh boy, was your dad mad! His nose flared [...]
fireproof your marriage and the love dare
I have led small group studies for several years, and I can honestly say that the most memorable and rewarding ones have been the groups that my wife and I have led on the topic of marriage. Trust me, we certainly are not experts on the topic, and we probably never will be perfect in [...]
