Many people don’t grasp the First Amendment. Here is another misunderstanding of the First Amendment as the debate over the United States as a Christian Nation isn’t a matter of opinion, but fact.

Continue reading Freedom OF Religion, not Freedom From.

Of previous presidential elections, one of the most remembered catch phrases was “It’s the economy, stupid,” used to remind phone-bank workers to always steer the conversation back to the economy, as it was seen as a winning issue for the candidate.

Christians should use a reminder phrase of their own: It’s the truth, stupid.

Continue reading It’s the Truth, Stupid.

We normally don’t discuss politics for politics sake. However, when the majority of people—of all political stripes—are hugely unhappy with Washington, it’s time to peel back the curtain and reveal why Washington is so broken, and why it fails to solve anything, only making situations worse. How did we get to the point when government is dysfunctional?

Continue reading 5 Reasons Disgust with Washington Won’t Be Solved.

As we enter the age of apostasy it’s becoming fashionable to re-define Biblical doctrine to align with radical political ideology or change terms like sin to something “softer”; heretics abandon God’s Word for the cult of liberal theology in their rebellion against God.

Continue reading The Cross — Salvation or Subversion?.

When your 3AM call finally arrives (and one day it will), will you be prepared to handle it? We frequently discuss various bad ideas blowing through the church, but what if you’re suddenly all alone — will you be able to determine heresy from reality?

It comes down to one word: motivation.

Continue reading Motivation is not Pretty.

Over the past few years we’ve warned about those trying to fit the square peg of the Bible into the round hole of political ideology ­— ideas like social justice, common good, redefining sin and more. Many of these traps begin by denying the Bible; it’s refreshing when someone actually admits their goal is to re-define Biblical concepts to match radical ideology.

Continue reading Redefining the Bible to Political Ideology.

Gratitude usually isn’t a problem — but a lack of gratitude sure is. One thing I picked up from Zig Ziglar involves thanking members of our military:

One way that gratitude was demonstrated in Zig’s life occurred when he saw military personnel. Every time we would see a service person in uniform he would stop, shake their hand, and say in his booming Southern drawl, “Thank you for your service.” It didn’t matter where we were or what we were doing, he would always take the time to thank them. (http://www.ziglar.com/newsletter/?p=1806)

Continue reading Gratitude isn't Optional.

When I die, I may not go to heaven; I don’t know if they let cowboys in. If they don’t, just let me go to Texas, boy! ’Cause Texas is as close as I’ve been. (Tanya Tucker)

I just returned from a business trip to Houston. One thing you should know … I hate travel. My idea of travel involves traversing the six miles from our town to the next (which has a grocery store). I’d like to move because the city just installed a stoplight (yep, a single stoplight). Oh the humanity! Will someone please think of the children?

I don’t just hate travel, I despise, loath, and detest it.

Continue reading The Garden of Eden is Texas.

Paul probably experienced more problems in life than most of us (at one point despairing even of life), yet he was able to maintain mission focus. How? The difference between knowledge and belief.

Continue reading The Difference Between Knowledge and Belief.

Only a few days after we brought home our puppy Max he got sick from parvovirus (similar to serious stomach flu), which, according to WikiPedia, kills over 90% of dogs if left untreated. It was tough to watch. I stayed up with him at night, helped him outside, and cleaned up his little puppy barf.

After a few days of not being able to keep even water down, I understood if we didn’t get some IV fluids in him he’d be a goner. So off we went to the vet (15 years later he still hates riding in the car). Tests confirmed parvovirus. Yuck.

Continue reading How Your Dog Makes You A Better Christian.

Saul Alinsky in “Rules for Radicals” laid out a framework for community organizing, or those who want to “stick it to the man.” Several prominent politicians are intimately familiar (or even taught) the Alinsky method. It’s also used by radical groups — some even claiming to be Christian. As these tactics become more prevalent, it’s vital to understand Alinsky methods, in particular rule 13.

Continue reading The Great Alinsky Rule 13 Deception.

Genesis 14 contains a rather obscure passage on Melchizedek — someone we wouldn’t even know if it weren’t for Paul’s reference in Hebrews. Unfortunately, this focus on Melchizedek means we miss other important lessons from that chapter.

Continue reading Mission Preparedness.

Early in life, a child has driven in their brain calling 911 in an emergency. When you’re in trouble, or a medical crisis, call 911 and help is on the way. But, as it turns out, is that really the best idea?

Continue reading The Christian 911 Call.

I’ve always been a big fan of the Road Runner. It’s why I studied Physics in college, as it was intriguing to learn the cosmos exists as an ordered system, and it’s possible to figure stuff out — like what angle to launch your ACME rocket from a 1,000 foot cliff to hit a Road Runner 1/4 mile away traveling at 60mph. Nevermind, we already know the answer — Coyote will ultimately free-fall to the valley floor, with his rocket crashing on top of him (and then exploding). Poof!

Continue reading Wile E. Coyote’s Guide to Offense.

2013 is supposed to be better than 2012, right? After all, isn’t that what everyone hopes for? Hopes, yes, realizes … sometimes not so much.

Continue reading 2013: The Year of Offense.