Tarnished Compass

ABC News had a story today about the movie “The Golden Compass” and how the Vatican is condemning it for its anti-Christian views.  But that’s not why I won’t pay money to see it.  The author of the books the movie is based upon, Philip Pullman, has stated openly in interviews that the themes of …

On Being Religious

I remember having a conversation with a friend a while ago where he started by saying… “let me ask you something… you’re religious, right?” I replied, “no, I’m a Christian.” Then he looked at me quizzically and restated, “yeah, so you’re religious…” I then went on for about ten minutes about the subtle difference between “being religious” …

Are You Prejudiced? Are You Sure?

Interesting… Dateline, in their coverage of the whole Imus hulabaloo, did a story about a test that the makers claim determines if you have a bias toward white or black people based on how you select your answers after showing you flashing images and you choosing whether the image is “good” or “bad.”  I have serious questions …

Mercy Me

I remember several years ago taking a spiritual gifts inventory test.  I was not surprised by what I scored high on.(music, hospitality, teaching…).  This is mainly because most of those questions were something like… “Do you like playing music?” or “Have you been told that you are talented in music?” or “Do you enjoy having …

If You Don’t Look Good, We Don’t Look Good

I remember when I was in the 7th grade older women at church used to like talking to me.  Now when I mean older women I mean as old as maybe 9th grade or something like that, but at my age at the time that’s a lot.  But usually the “talking” would consist of me sitting …

Worship is Not a Spectator Sport

It’s 9:45 A.M. on a typical Sunday morning at Bethel.  Time to start worship.  Is everyone ready? This was my best attempt at making a panoramic photo of the sanctuary at Bethel at the start of worship this past Sunday.  Is it daylight savings time?  No.  Was there a blizzard last night that dumped 4 feet …