One of the things we often see in the course of a civilization is how often one generation reacts to the perceived mistakes of a previous generation. Often we only focus upon those who rebel in a negative way, and put a bad name on an entire generation. We might think of the stereotypical “hippies” of the Woodstock generation. They had seen what World War 2 had done to many people, and they questioned much of that. Much of their questioning led to sinful behavior, though not all of it was bad. I am currently seeing a trend–especially among Christian young people–that I want to commend. It has, further, opened…

Dear Third Verse, I must apologize. I don’t really know when it all started, but Churches of Christ in America just started forgetting you in four-verse songs. Maybe it was when “Blessed Assurance” was written and only had three catchy verses. Or “I’ll Fly Away.” Or maybe that awful two-verse culprit “How Long Has it Been?” I mean, that’s really low, to not even include you! I don’t know when it was, but we just left you out. Our song leaders started proudly calling out some number from a song book and then almost cruelly saying–sometimes while they were looking right at you–“Verses one, two, and four only.” A few…

Earlier today, I had a conversation with a friend. This friend has been through some difficulties and said that prayer was what was helping the most. As the conversation progressed, this person thanked me for taking the time to speak to “them.” I gave this person the same answer I have given many others over the years: “If we don’t have time to help people, we need to shut our doors.” What I mean by that is simply this: when the Church can preach the right sermons and worship in the right way, but never aid, encourage, assist, or pray with people who are hurting, we are not the Church…

I know, you aren’t supposed to preach (or write ) about sin anymore. No one listens, and you are just passing judgment if you state emphatically that anything is “wrong” or “sinful.” Even if you don’t feel that way, though, you may think this is a pointless post, because the Bible gives us a clear statement of what sin is. Who needs a blog post to remind us that sin is “falling short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), “going beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6), or not doing the good we know to do (James 4:17)? All of us are competent enough to read the Bible and…