June 2010
5 posts
Music is therapy
So, I’m reading through 1 Samuel and came across a familiar story with a few twists that really hit me. Right after Samuel anointed David, we are told that “an evil spirit from the Lord tormented” Saul (16:14 NET). Wait. An evil spirit sent from God? Yes, God sent an evil spirit to torment Saul. Did you hear that? Believe it or not, God can do that if he wants. I never heard that...
Forgotten God & West Dallas
So, as I’ve stated in a previous post that I wanted this summer to be different, more spiritually stimulating. I continued my quest as I decided to read Forgotten God. It’s not a theology of the Holy Spirit, but a challenge to embrace the Spirit. And a challenge it was, at least for me. I was super excited when I finished this book today. I have felt for a long time that I don’t...
The Great Emergence
Well, I finished reading The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle. I’m kind of bad at writing reviews, because I take a long time to process things, but It’s a decent book. I give it a 6.5 out of 10, but I will read it again, eventually.
Tickle gives a fair overview of the history of the church and its movements. According to her, we are currently in “the great emergence.”...
A Passing Generation
As I sat in Prestonwood Baptist Church for the DTS graduation this year, I was distracted by an older man shuffling down the aisle looking for a seat. He was alone, and looked completely lost. Trailing behind him was an usher helping him find a seat, for the ceremony had already begun. I noticed that this man had a familiar step. He had a familiar look. But when he turned around to face my...
What's So Great About What's So Great About...
After my friend, Seth, recommended What’s So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D’Souza, I was excited to get my hands on it. After all, Seth made D’Souza out to be the greatest American apologist today. Well, I’ve spent the last three weeks with Dinesh and at first I was a little nervous. The book started slowly and sounded slightly too conservative. However, by the end of...
May 2010
10 posts
Jesus's Crib
No, not a crib for a baby. I’m talking MTV Cribs. Why? As I’ve been translating through Mark, I couldn’t help but keep my attention on a certain question that has puzzled me over the last couple of weeks. Did Jesus own a home? I know it sounds counter to Matthew 8:20 & Luke 9:58, but Mark made a few comments that make we wonder. Just tonight I decided to go to my professor....
Hmm...
Well, something interesting is in the air. I have a phone conversation to have tomorrow, and I’ll know whether or not I’m…
“If the rate of expansion one second after the Big Bang had been smaller by even...”
– Stephen Hawking
Pentecost & Spiritual Awakening
As I reflected on Pentecost this past week, I told my wife that I wanted this summer to be different and better than the last. No, I’m not referring to vacation time, or how many things I can learn or get done. I told her that I wanted to be spiritually awakened this summer. And to this pursuit I have dedicated my first week in a mediocre fashion. Well, it’s been more ups and downs...
One small step for mankind...
Let’s talk about two recent changes in my life.
1) Though I fought it tooth and nail, I changed my hair. Yes, it’s true. I am now sporting a mild fohawk. This was just a test, but I have decided to go all out next time and make my new fohawk more pronounced. Perhaps I’ll even throw in a dash of mullet.
2) Today, I uttered 6 words to my wife that ought never be uttered by a...
Demonic Confessions
It might sound strange but I think the demonic confessions of Jesus as Messiah in Mark are pretty cool. I’ve been translating through the Gospel of Mark, and I came across this interesting confession in Mark 1:24, “οιδα σε τις ει, ο αγιος του θεου.” There Jesus was, teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, and immediately a possessed man came bursting in. No one else around Jesus...
Marriage ER
When my wife called me in a panic, I realized that today was not going to be a normal day. I was definitely worried, and rushed to her work to find out what was happening. When I arrived, she was complaining that she couldn’t breathe due to asthmatic bronchitis (so we found out). So, I snatched her up and drove to Baylor Hospital. We didn’t sit very long in the ER till they called out...
