Political issues In general, I am a big fan of Christians being motivated by our faith to be involved in protecting the liberty via the political system. I think it is vital that we understand how and why things work – even if they are not directly connected to scriptural issues – like raising or…Continue reading Political Issues and Christians and the Johnson Amendment
Category: Random Stuff
Confederate Monuments, School Names, and more… REL Tyler, Texas
Here in Tyler, Texas, we have a school named “Robert E. Lee Highschool”. It is really a pretty good public high school. Like all public High Schools, it has its share of kids from all kinds of backgrounds, issues, ethnicities, social levels, etc. Like most public High Schools, this is one of its great strengths.…Continue reading Confederate Monuments, School Names, and more… REL Tyler, Texas
what do essence and nature mean? A Simple Explanation.
What is meant by “nature” or “essence”? I am not a trained philosopher, so any input on here for this topic from a philosopher is appreciated. However, I like to take challenging concepts and explain them so that almost anyone can understand them. In order to do that, I often find that foundational concepts have to…Continue reading what do essence and nature mean? A Simple Explanation.
The "Uncommon" Life?
The uncommon life Popular historian and self-proclaimed former Christian-turned-atheist, Dr. Bart Ehrman, in his debate with Dr. William Craig, clarified that a historian’s job is not to tell “what” happened, but what was “most likely” to have happened. He goes on to explain why that makes it impossible for him to hold to the idea…Continue reading The "Uncommon" Life?
Understanding Sexuality Podcast
https://hunterbeless.com/new-blog/2017/7/ep28-on-understanding-sexuality I got to be a part of a great podcast a few days ago. This expresses some of the roots – going WAAAAAYYYY back (in time and in philosophy) for the issues of sexual identity that we face as a culture today. Check it out!
Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 5
Crisis Culture In our crisis-based nation (we seem to have almost no culture except for the culture of crisis… which, by the way, I assume is the unavoidable consequence of the culture of media that we developed in the last few decades. To paraphrase Frank Peretti , “TV does not reflect the culture nor affect…Continue reading Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 5
Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 4
Christian Ethic #2 for this conversation: So, what about in 2017? Should we be removing monuments to Confederate Leaders? Well, there certainly is wisdom in doing so… and then a Christian ethic for doing so. First, the wisdom – and from what you might consider an unlikely source: Lexington, VA., August 5, 1869. Dear Sir–Absence…Continue reading Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 4
Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 3
Here is a historical and human truth: Essentially every human being has aspects of their lives that are noble (did you know that Hitler was an aspiring artist?) and aspects of their lives that were distressing (Did you know that George Washington was a slave owner?). This is according to the Christian understanding that though…Continue reading Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 3
Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 2
… (read part 1 if you haven’t yet) And, in the continued research, I discovered that there are dozens of various statues and monuments to the man, especially in South Carolina. Schools, streets, and a city are named for him. Because of his military prowess, a ship was named after him in WWII. I want…Continue reading Confederate Monument Controversy – Part 2
Thoughts on NFL Kneeling (and other) Protests
I think that it might seem strange for me to publish the articles series that I started yesterday about Confederate Monuments without commenting on the protests. Those were scheduled a few weeks ago to publish at this time, and I was concerned that something new would be at the forefront by the time they posted(welcome…Continue reading Thoughts on NFL Kneeling (and other) Protests
Confederate Monuments Controversy – Part I
Taking/tearing down Confederate Monuments “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The Apostle Paul, Romans 12:18 & 21 Hopefully the verse above makes it clear that I am writing this to Bible – believing Christians. If you have…Continue reading Confederate Monuments Controversy – Part I
Is the end of the world coming on Saturday?
Is the end of the world coming Saturday? Well, I suppose… maybe. I am sorry that the tone of this will, at times, be a little tongue-in-cheek. As a rational Christian skeptic, I have a hard time taking faddish, panicky social media input very seriously. The 2nd coming of Christ and the “Day of the…Continue reading Is the end of the world coming on Saturday?
Two Mini-Seminars: "Helping Parents Talk to Kids About tragedy"
This next Wednesday, November the 9th, FBC and Alethia Family Counseling will host two short seminars for adults – moms, dads, grandparents, teachers and others – We will be in the Great Room at FBC South Campus (just south of the new loop) at 9:30am (hoping that is convenient for parents who drop off kids…Continue reading Two Mini-Seminars: "Helping Parents Talk to Kids About tragedy"
Navigating the Holidays Seminar – Nov 1
I think this will be of great value to anyone regardless of what the holidays mean for you!
Star Wars Episode VII – Who is Rey?
As a well known serious Star Wars fan, I am getting a lot of questions about my opinions about Ep VII. After watching it 3 times in two days a (and a 4th since), I have determined that it is, in fact, a Star Wars movie. It feels Star Wars, looks, smells, and pretty much…Continue reading Star Wars Episode VII – Who is Rey?
Is our President a Christian?
Is Barack Obama a Christian? Much has been made in the last few days as to whether Barack Obama is a Christian. As seems to almost always be the case, the media assumes (maybe rightly) that we have way too short an attention span to look at questions like these with any depth or intelligence.…Continue reading Is our President a Christian?
5 Greek words for "Love"
The Five Loves Welcome! How wise of you to be researching love. Few things in life are more important than true love (“except maybe for a nice MLT: mutton lettuce and tomato sandwich…”)… I am no Greek scholar, but I am passing on what I have been taught and what I understand about these words…Continue reading 5 Greek words for "Love"
Come Judge a Debate Tournament!
We will be hosting a Speech & Debate Tournament here in Tyler on Feb 26, 27, and 28th…. at Calvary Baptist Church on Old Jacksonville (the schedule is below). We need and would love to have local judges come and judge speeches and debates. Come and be encouraged and impressed by bright leaders of the…Continue reading Come Judge a Debate Tournament!
What is… THE EVENT?
Conversation with the Event planner: “Hey, I would love to host an Event coming up… It is largely a speaking event, so I do need a talented speaker who can connect well with the audience. The speaker will have about 30-40 minutes and I would prefer the speaker have a sort of “call to action”…Continue reading What is… THE EVENT?
New Evidence that Jesus was Married?
New Evidence that Jesus was Married and Had Children A recently 6th revealed Century manuscript allegedly found in a British Library has created some stir. However, it shouldn’t. The Manuscript is known as the “Ecclesiastical History of Zacharias Rhetor.” and reason it was in the British library without gathering a lot of attention was because…Continue reading New Evidence that Jesus was Married?