470 More Than Just Walls The Power of Physical Space

470 More Than Just Walls The Power of Physical Space

Two things caused this episode: a) my reading of a Roger Scruton philosophy book, and b) my attendance at a local county sherrif's graduation ceremony. Together those two have had me reflecting, again, on the power of form, the role that aesthetics play in our lives, and the role that beauty-to-the-honor-of-the-living-God has had for most of two millennia. Scruton talks, among other things, about how public architecture was always designed with an eye toward both the future and the past, but how today's architecture pays no heed to either. Today we prefer fads and/or immediacy. Following those two fads, we serve a god whom I call "Lord Utility." Sadly, immediacy and Lord Utility both have infiltrated the early 21st century Evangelical culture. Let's think through this amazing topic of form, space, and beauty together; all unto the glory of the beautiful one himself, Jesus the Christ.

469 I'm a Believer Now, What's Next? Boredom

When one becomes a Christ-follower the common, if unspoken, expectation is that life will take a dramatic turn, even an amazing turn, for the better. But the truth is, Christians are people, too. And life is characterized by frequent stretches, seasons even, of boredom for Christians. What do we make of those stretches? Are long stretches of boredom the result of sin? Or, is it the case that boredom is actually a luxury? Mark and I think through boredom, this out-of-the box topic. The Scriptures don't say anything expressly about boredom, so what should a believer think? In the show's opening I also offer several suggestions for how Christians should go about processing the news of alien (UFO, UAP) intelligence and presences. What should we do with what may be unprecedented information?! Come laugh and think with us.

468 I'm a Christian Now, What's Next? Worship

Down in the bone marrow of following Christ is worship. In this free style conversation Mark and I discuss the whys, whats, and what-abouts of worship. Is God a megalomaniac who created us to worship him because he has need? Is there some lack in God that worship fills for him? If not, what is the reason for worship? Along the same lines, how do we take and make our daily lives—our chores, our work, our relationships, and even our physical dwelling space—an act of worship to Christ Jesus? What is the difference between ritual and ritualism? Why do we need both spirit and truth, heart-felt sentiment and doctrinal accuracy? And then, when we are worshiping, does God's Spirit come and overpower us so that it's only him involved? Come think and laugh with me and Mark.

467 Special—Is Trump the Anti-Christ?

Is Donald Trump the anti-Christ? Church folk on the Left so say. To assess the possibilities I work through features of the anti-Christ found across the Bible. Along the way I also variously: give a personal health update, talk about a recent camping trip and what that made me think about, offer a suggested name for any angry new band, share my feelings about the current price of a gallon of gas, reflect on what is going on with the Southern Poverty Law Center and the impact that organization had on thousands of pastors, take a humorous look back at a now-more-common compliment I received, and think out loud about political-Christian hypocrisy. Let's both hone our thinking about anti-Christ and share some laughter together.

466 I'm a Believer Now, What's Next? Life's Trials

It's a common assumption, when one turns to God, commits one's identity to Christ, life should become happier, healthier, more blessed. But commonly the opposite happens. And when life's trials begin to pile on us we tend to, precisely because we've read about miracles and deliverance in the Bible, ask, "why are you doing this to me, God?" When it is prolonged we can think in our hearts, "why is God frowning on me?" We make one-for-ones out of our sufferings. Mark and I talk through the ins and outs of life's trials, what those mean (or don't), and what the book of Job shows us today about our suffering. Come think and laugh with us.