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May 22, 2013

10 ways to know if you need to shut up about the truth already.

1. If you get into internet (or real life) arguments even though you know it won't really change anything. 

2. If you spend time role playing the perfect zinger in your head and you just can't wait to get back to that conversation and give them a piece of your mind. 

3. If you feel the need to ALWAYS say something every time someone doesn't adhere to what you believe. Can't move on with your day until you respond to that Facebook message huh?. 

4. If you consider it a moral imperative to clarify and declare truth in every situation. Feels likes everything lies in the balance of what you feel compelled to say? 

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May 21, 2013

2 words that give me hope in the midst of unspeakable tragedy.

Jesus wept. 

It's the shortest verse in the bible (John 11:35) but it might be one of the most powerful images of Jesus ever recorded. 

Jesus wept. 

Maybe it's just me but I mostly picture God as a far off largely aloof stoic being who shakes his head and rolls his eyes every time we cry, complain or hurt.

"Get over it. Can't you just trust me?"
"Grow up and look beyond the pain" 
"Oh ye of little faith. Look at the big picture"

Those are the words I assumed came out of God's mouth when I hurt and hated life. But then I read John 11 and I see a different God. I see a God who weeps? 

But wait, that's not the whole story. It gets even more bizarre. 

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May 20, 2013

4 simple ways to grow your faith (without feeling like a loser).

Don't you hate it when people tell you to have faith or trust God and then they don't say anything else?

It's like if my kid says she doesn't understand her homework and I say... 

Well understand it. 
Come on now. Understand it. 
Do you understand it yet? 

No sir but I'm sure if you keep telling me to understand it, I will eventually just start understanding it.
Or not silly dad. 

That's what we preachers sometimes do isn't it? We say stuff like...

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May 17, 2013

Change the way you think.

Hypocrites. Homophobes. Hate Mongers. 

What do these three words have in common – besides all starting with the letter “H”? They are all words that are frequently used to describe people that claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.

You know what else they have in common? None of them would be used to describe Christ himself. Not one. Not once. Not ever. 

The fact is that this is the way most of the world sees us and we’ve allowed it to happen – we’re really at fault for the way we’re viewed. 

We try to blame the media and Hollywood for all the negativity - and to be fair neither has really helped us. We’ve been willing participants in the destruction of what should be a life changing, people loving movement. 

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May 16, 2013

Why the world needs you to be more boring and cliche.

“But dad, you're supposed to say that about me because you're my dad.” 

You parents ever heard that one? 

Even if you're not a parent, I bet you've seen that scenario play out. I bet somewhere sometime recently someone you care about dismissed something you said or did because you are supposed to say or do it. 

“It's your job.”
“You're my mom.”
“You're a pastor.”
“You're a Christian.”
“You're just a good friend.”
“You're just being nice.”
“It's my birthday.” 

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