Chaplainmike

What We Should Do

This morning I asked the question, “Where should we draw the line in the sand concerning sexual sin?” The comments to that post have been thoughtful, insightful, challenging. This is a very difficult question, with really no clear answers. Yet it is a topic we cannot ignore. Because of President Obama’s stance on gay marriage,Continue reading “What We Should Do”

Drawing A Line In The Sand

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. [John 8:6, NLT] I have a friend—let’s call her Gwen—who is searching for a new church. This is a popular pastime in Tulsa. Church-hopping is an artform for manyContinue reading “Drawing A Line In The Sand”

Made Known at the Table

Journey into New Life, part six Made Known at the Table (Luke 24) Our Gospel text for this Easter season is Luke 24:13-35, the story of the risen Lord’s encounter with his disciples on the road to Emmaus. In this passage Luke tells us what it means to walk with the living Lord Jesus Christ.Continue reading “Made Known at the Table”

Tom Wright Sings Genesis

Several people have called my attention to this great video of N.T. Wright singing a song about Genesis to the tune of the Beatles’ “Yesterday.” Nice job, Tom. But I gotta get me one of those “double helix” guitars!

The Torah of Jesus (Matthew)

First Things First Restoring the Gospel to Primacy in the Church Part Three: The Torah of Jesus — Matthew • • • Jesus-shaped Christianity will grow out of the soil of a Story-shaped Gospel. The more we immerse ourselves in the Story and get to know the Gospels, the greater the impact the Gospel ofContinue reading “The Torah of Jesus (Matthew)”

“Normal” Is Not Enough?

Update: several have noted the plane crash last Friday, in which Ron Luce’s daughter was seriously injured. Out of respect for the Teen Mania family, please stick to the concept we’re discussing and do not direct your comments at this specific ministry. Note: This post is NOT a specific critique of the ministry cited. Please don’tContinue reading ““Normal” Is Not Enough?”

Nick Lannon on Lessons from Jr. Seau

From Derision to Compassion: The Death of Junior Seau by Nick Lannon Posted at Mockingbird on 5/9/12, and used by permission Nick’s blog: My Series of Tubes • • • It was like a switch was thrown. I was at an open gym, shooting baskets with a bunch of guys, talking about the news ofContinue reading “Nick Lannon on Lessons from Jr. Seau”

My first thought wouldn’t be, “Let’s have a gathering.”

Francis Chan must be reading a different Bible. The other day I watched a video clip from a message he gave at the 2012 Verve Conference in which he asserted that genuine Christian fellowship is missional fellowship. I think Francis Chan is partly right there, but the way he said it was striking and revelatoryContinue reading “My first thought wouldn’t be, “Let’s have a gathering.””

A Lost Parable: The Sugar of the Earth

And Jesus spoke to them and said, “You are the powdered sugar of the earth. As sugar is sprinkled on cakes and cookies to make them attractive and exceedingly sweet, so you shall make my church the most delightful confection the world has known. For the children of this world have an insatiable sweet tooth,Continue reading “A Lost Parable: The Sugar of the Earth”

Mixed Marriage Messages

What an interesting cast of characters and what a conflicted conversation we’ve had in recent history in American presidential politics when it comes to the subject of marriage. It wasn’t too long ago, we had public hearings about adulterous liaisons in the Clinton White House. This year we are being treated to the spectacle ofContinue reading “Mixed Marriage Messages”