Tag: Rebellion

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Three Signs of a Spiritual Pied Piper

sage-67789_1280Remember the old children story about the Pied Piper? When the Piper didn’t get what he felt was rightfully his, he played his pipe while the children followed him out of town. Is it possible that today we have spiritual Pied Pipers who, when they don’t get what they feel should be theirs – doing it God’s way, adopt a new approach?

The Apostle Peter warned us in 2 Peter 2:1-2, that false prophets and teachers would bring swift destruction on themselves by introducing destructive heresies and denying Christ. He went on to say that people of the church would follow their sensuality and would harm the reputation of the gospel. Jesus said in Luke 17:2 that it would be better for a man to have a millstone hung around his neck and thrown into the sea than to lead little ones astray. Jude 1 echoes Peter’s words saying that false teachers and prophets have followed the way of Cain, Balaam and Korah.

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Think Inside the Box

insidetheboxNo, it’s not a typo. The fact that you thought maybe it was, shows that you are thinking inside the box that says you should always think outside the box.

Likewise, some so-called sacred cows are not sacred cows at all, (a sacred cow being a false god) instead they are immutable principles of God’s universe that should not and cannot be violated without severe consequences.

Confused on the metaphors yet? Let’s break it down.

Continue reading “Think Inside the Box”

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I’m a Freak!

iamafreakOK, this is probably not big news to those who know me. I learned something while attending a Conference last week. One definition of a freak is something that is often unusual and unexpected. Who knows, maybe you are a freak too.

My beautiful, wonderful and long-suffering wife ,Teri, is probably tired of hearing it, but I frequently say to her, “I must be a weirdo!” or “I feel like I was born in the wrong century.”

Continue reading “I’m a Freak!”

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Riots and Religion–Four Things the Church Can Do

riotsandreligionAs our cities burn, I am straining to hear the voice of God speaking clearly through His church. While there are a lot of church leaders speaking, much of what is being said is not helpful and therefore is obviously not the voice of God.

In Romans 12:18, Paul the Apostle wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (NIV) Some will quickly argue that it was written to a different time, with different people and different conditions. Indeed it was. It was written to a church that was ostracized from a pluralistic society that blamed natural disasters and other unfortunate events on the people Paul was writing to. Just a few years after this letter, Paul himself would die at the hands of Roman executioners, Peter would be crucified upside down and Nero would blame the city fire on Christians. This is the same guy – by the way – that liked to wrap Christians in oil soaked cloth and set them on fire to light his gardens in the evening.

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Who Wins the Day?

whowinsthedayMost of us don’t like having them, yet our culture craves them. We often view them as negative and something to be avoided, yet we are willing to pay big money to see other people have them. Whether it is Jerry Springer, Duck Dynasty, Cross Fire or some other form of modern “entertainment,” the modern world is infatuated with arguments. Continue reading “Who Wins the Day?”

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Where Does the Evidence Lead?

EvidenceAccording to a recent ABC poll, 83% of Americans currently identify themselves as Christian. According to your definition, how many of these do you think legitimately qualify for the title?

The Apostle Paul urged the congregants in Corinth to examine themselves in order to make sure they were “in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) This appeal was given in the context of an upcoming visit where he was concerned that he would have to call out sin in the membership. He was hopeful that they would get their lives right with God before his visit so that he could enjoy his visit with encouraging words instead of experiencing an unpleasant trip focused on harsh correction. Continue reading “Where Does the Evidence Lead?”

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Please Sit Down and Shut Up

sitdownandshutupI did say “please.” 🙂 Not a day goes by when we aren’t lectured by a Talk Show Host, News Commentator, secular University Professor, Actor or some other theologically inept person about the Christian Faith. They hike their noses in haughty disdain for the ignorant Evangelical Bible Thumpers who simply don’t get it. They school us on what the Bible really means or what Jesus would do if He were walking the earth today. I, for one, am fed up! Continue reading “Please Sit Down and Shut Up”

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Maybe It’s You

itmightbeyouSeveral years ago while working as a Worship Pastor, the leader of the Youth Praise & Worship Team – who I will call Bob for the sake of anonymity – came to my office noticeably frustrated. I set aside what I was working on and asked him what was bothering him. He said, “Pastor Rodney my whole team got up and walked out – they quit.” I looked at him somewhat surprised and said, “You’re whole team?” He answered, “Yes!” I asked, “Even John? (Not his real name.) Bob replied, “Yes.”

Now to put this whole thing into perspective, John not only served on the Youth Praise Team, but also on the Main Team. I had worked with him for some time, and he was a model teen – the kind every parent hopes for. He was personally motivated, extremely personable and very respectful of everyone. This kid took college classes while still in high school and is a highly respected professional today. Continue reading “Maybe It’s You”

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My Rant

rantI’ve gone on a couple of Facebook rants over the past few days. I didn’t wake up thinking, “I’m going to rant and rave today.” Instead, it just kind of flowed out – like pressure being released from tiny holes in my finger-tips before the pressure caused my head to pop up and steam began scrambling from my upper orifices – reminiscent of the release valve on those old-timey pressure cookers.

I suppose I could make this blog a mea culpa – if indeed I felt I went too far – but in reality I’m not sure I went far enough. Continue reading “My Rant”

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Prophetic or Pathetic? Rob Bell and the Spirit of the Age.

Prophetic or Pathetic 2.19.15Many are trying to pick up the prophetic mantle and speak for God today. Just recently, well-known Pastor / Author, and Oprah Winfrey protégé’, Rob Bell, announced that if the church did not conform to modern cultural views and beliefs, it would be increasingly irrelevant. When did Rob Bell become the protestant Pope? Who ordained him to speak on behalf of God about the precepts and dictates of Heaven?

Since the early days of Judaism – and later Christianity – people of faith have contended between the voice of God and the voice of the world. For millennia there has been a struggle to determine right from wrong. Modern culture tells us that the Bible is full of fairy tales to scare children into obedience. Worse, many well-known seminaries and Bible colleges have been infiltrated by teachers who see the role of scripture as a mere suggestion. Many have relegated God to a force of energy rather than a person who is interested in all that concerns us. They drill well-orchestrated demonic doctrines into the minds of future preachers, who then, all-too-often, carry those lies into their pulpits. These views are a far cry from what the Bible tells us about itself. Continue reading “Prophetic or Pathetic? Rob Bell and the Spirit of the Age.”