preacherman

What is your favorite Bible story?

2012-01-23T02:14:00.000-05:00

What is your favorite Bible story? Why?

Share your thoughts.

Who is your least favorite Bible character?

2012-01-21T02:13:00.000-05:00

Who is your least favorite Bible character and why?

Share your thoughts.

Who is your favorite Bible character?

2012-01-19T02:12:00.000-05:00

Who is your favorite Bible character and why?

Share your thoughts.

Does Christianity Need Celebrities?

2012-01-16T22:08:00.002-05:00

Does Christianity need celebrities? Whether it be so called celebrity Pastors, Authors, or Entertainers do we want or need them representing Christianity? Is there the danger of mis-representation Jesus and the ideas of what Jesus believes? Don't or wouldn't so called, "Christian Celebrities" eventual fail, sin? What does it do to the others when we Hold them up or idolize them? Should we idolize others at all?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Don't Worry? Really?

2012-01-08T01:58:00.004-05:00

Jesus said, "Do not worry." So, do you think Jesus ever worried? Jesus wasn't married, didn't have children so worrying about wife and kids wouldn't effect Jesus. Jesus didn't have have debt that we read about in scripture so worries or finances wouldn't effect Jesus. So, what would Jesus worry about? Or did he? Does lack of certain life experiences change or influence one's view on worry? Is it fair to say don't worry to someone when the one saying it doesn't understand or has experienced those life situations which cause worry in others lives?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts

Pray Without Ceasing

2012-01-04T09:02:00.002-05:00

What does it mean to pray without ceasing? How do you pray without ceasing? Can it be done? How?

What do you think?
Share your thought.

New Years Resolutions

2011-12-26T21:29:00.003-05:00

Do you write out or make New Years Resolutions? If so, why? If not why not? Do they work? Have you accomplished any New Years Resolutions before? How did it make you feel? What are some ways or ideas on how to accomplish New Years Resolutions? What physical resolution do you have for this next year? What spiritual resolution do you have for this next year? I have even heard of Churches having resolutions for their members and congregations for the year? Does your church have resolutions for the next year that they would like to see done?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Meaning of Christmas?

2011-12-19T07:37:00.001-05:00

What is the meaning of Christmas?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Paul and Jesus

2011-12-17T20:19:00.003-05:00

How much does the apostle Paul mention Jesus? Why does Paul not talk or reference or mention Jesus ministry, miracles, life hardly at all? Does Paul even quote or reference Jesus when talking about the Church, kingdom, marriage, how to treat others, etc? Why is that? Did Paul know Jesus when Jesus was alive? Why does the church focus so much on Paul's letters with so little reference to Jesus? Do you agree or disagree?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

How Does God Treat Those Who Follow Him?

2011-12-12T07:14:00.002-05:00

Does God treat those who serve Him good? Does He bless? Is life any better now for those who serve God than for those who don't? Should there be some benefit or temporary blessing for choosing to follow God now? Is the promise of heaven of enough or should God make life better for those who make the choice to serve Him now? What kind of Father is God? Does he abuse His children or does he treat them with love? Is he present or absent in the lives of those who follow Him?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Double Standards in Churches #2

2011-12-05T23:07:00.004-05:00

Do Churches have double standards when it comes to equipping members to ministry? Do some churches prohibit, limit or squash the talents and gifts of other based on gender, race or socioeconomic status? What happens within the body of Christ when people are guilt ed, prohibited from using the talents that God has given? Does the body suffer? How? Have you personally seen this within the Church? What can be done to equip all members to ministry despite gender, race, socioeconomic statues differences? What is your church doing? Is there a way to get rid of the double standard that says you can do or be anything you want, except church?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Double Standard in Churches #1

2011-11-28T22:18:00.007-05:00

I know that no one is perfect. The Bible tells us, "All have sinned." Why then do we expect perfection from their ministers? Why do they leave no room for mistakes? Why do so many churches if not all Churches set their minister us for failure in expecting perfection? Is it realistic? In expecting a faultless, sinless, leadership do we not set them up to fail? Do congregation have different standards in their ministers then they do themselves? Isn't that hypocritical? Could a person with the mistakes or actions of King David, Solomon, Peter, Thomas or Paul be a minister in the churches today? Would they hire them? How do we show the church that ministers are people, sinners, too? How do we stop the mass exodus from those in ministry because of the pressure and double standard?

I know many ministers who have left ministry, leaving ministry and discourage even their kids and others from entering ministry because the pressure to be perfect, the double standard and the way the Church sets ministers up for failure. It needs to be discussed.

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Length of Sermons

2011-11-20T18:20:00.000-05:00

If you are a preacher or minister how long of a message do you preach? Does it matter how long a sermon or message is preached? Do you think it is easy to lose people's attention if the sermon is too long? What should be the average length of sermon? Why? If you aren't a preacher or minister how long does your minister preach? What length do you prefer? Why?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Being Relevant

2011-11-16T21:56:00.002-05:00

What does it mean to be relevant to the world as a Church or Christian? Do you think it is important to be relevant? Why or why not? How do we make church, worship and Jesus relevant to others? Do we loose people if the message and gospel we present isn't relevant? What happens when Christianity become irrelevant to those we are trying to reach? Why do so many Christians think it is a sin or wrong to be relevant? Do you believe it is wrong? Why or why not? What are you or your church doing to be relevant to the world?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Being the 21st Century Church

2011-11-08T20:00:00.004-05:00

Why do some churches look at the first century Church as an example? Should we? Was the first century Church perfect? How did they treat each other? Outsiders? What sins did the churches of the first century struggle with? Should we try to pattern our churches after the first century Church or should we try to be the Church of the twenty first century? What happens or could happen when we try to pattern modern churches after the Church of the first century? Was the second century Church trying to be the church of their time, meeting people where they were at? Can we lose relevancy if we strive to pattern churches today after the Church of the first century? Shouldn't we be the be the 21st century Church? Is being relevant unscriptural?

The Things That Really Matter

2011-11-03T20:48:00.003-04:00

Do things that matter to us, matter to God? Do we consider some things to to be a big deal that may not be a big deal or issue to God? If so, what? Can we know the things that matter to God? How? Should the things that matter to God matter to us as well and how do we change the focus? Would the Church, Christianity and the world look different if we focused on the things that mattered to God? If so, how would they be different? What do you think?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Being The Answer To Prayer

2011-10-17T09:32:00.002-04:00

It is easy to tell people who are in need of something in life or dealing with something in life, "I'm praying for you." I think that is good but often wonder are we, you and I the answer to someones prayer? Do we ignore the needs of others when we could be the answer? Do we just say we are praying so we don't have to act on the person's behalf? Is saying we are praying our way of justifying that we did something? Are we the answer to peoples prayers and situation in life? Have you been the answer to someones prayer lately? When there is a need in someones life do you meet it? How have you been the answer to someones prayer lately? How has someone been the answer to your prayer lately? How? I want to challenge you to not just pray but be the answer to someones prayer. Do something to make a difference now.

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Online Etiquette for Loss/Tragedy

2011-10-13T23:46:00.006-04:00

I think it is easy for people to forget or not think about the importance of etiquette when posting online especially when some has experienced loss or a tragedy in their life. Facebook and other social media make it easy to express our sympathy to the individual who has experienced loss or a tragedy. I do think it appropriate to express condolences, words of encouragement, thoughts of prayer, meditations, or offer of support in a physical or spiritual way.

Things might want to avoid:
1) Pictures or (Tags) of those that were lost (this can be extremely painful for the individual experiencing the loss).

2)Links of media, news, or blogs about the loss or tragedy posted on the individuals social media page. It is one thing to post it on your own page to let people know but it can be a very difficult reminder of what happened to the person experiencing the loss.

3)Avoid anything you, yourself would not want on your own social media page during a similar experience in life.

Is there anything you would add to this? Have you experienced this or seen this on others pages? Do you think Online etiquette is important? Why or why not?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

What is doctrine?

2011-10-11T11:50:00.003-04:00

What is doctrine? What is sound doctrine? Does the Church as a whole focus to much or not enough on doctrine? What happens if churches stress or emphasize the wrong doctrine? Is doctrine another term for law? Is it different than law? How? Is doctrine important? Why or why not?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Secular Christianity (?)

2011-10-08T22:31:00.004-04:00

I recently heard the term "secular Christianity". If you could define "secular Christianity" how would you define it? Is there such a thing as "secular Christianity"? What does it look like? Is Christianity influenced by secular society? If so, how? Should it? If so why? If not why not?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

A Countries Sinfulness

2011-10-05T14:55:00.003-04:00

I have heard preacher's say, "America needs to repent of its sin. Turn to God." So, the questions I have are: Do countries sin? How do countries sin? Or is sin individual? Private? Personal? If countries do sin, then what sin do you think your country struggles with the most? What is your countries biggest sin? Is it idolatry, greed, oppression, sexual immorality? Can and how can an entire country repent? Is it practical or possible today? How or why? Should we focus on the country as a whole or indivduals when talking about and dealing with sin? Why?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Programs

2011-10-01T22:15:00.002-04:00

Churches today have different programs or ministries to offer members and outsiders. I have often found that many ministries or programs that churches have or offer are for internal relationship building and internally focused. Don't get me wrong I think it is great to minister and care for, meet needs of members. The questions I have are towards our main focus as Christians and that is outreach. Are programs the best way to do outreach? Is it easy to become internally focused and neglect or forget our mission of seeking the lost? I do think certain programs and ministries can attract those who are already seeking or looking for a church to meet certain needs in their life. What about those who aren't already seeking, those who are unchurched, don't have a relationship with God? Is there a better way?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Legalism

2011-09-28T09:49:00.002-04:00

What does it mean to be legalistic? Do you know any legalistic Christians? Why do so many Christians feel comfortable in following law or rules? Why do so many Christians have a problem with grace? What does legalism do for Christians or the church? Is it harmful? How? Why? Can Chrisitans and churches change from a legalistic mindset to a grace oriented mindset? How? Have you seen a change within any Christians or Churches who were once legalistic and are now grace oriented? What happens to faith or relationship with Jesus when people follow the law or a set of rule? Is it easy to confuse conservatism with legalism? Why? Is there a difference? If so, what?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Sin

2011-09-22T02:15:00.000-04:00

What is sin? Are we born sinners? If we aren't born sinners at what age do we become sinners? Are there big sins and little sins or is all sin equal? How do we know if we sin? Can people go a length of time without sinning at all? Do we sin everyday? How are we forgiven of our sins? Is there a process? If so, what is it?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Meeting Physical Needs

2011-09-15T00:17:00.002-04:00

In the bad U.S. economy is your church doing anything to help the unemployed, the homeless or those in need? Does your Church see it as an opportunity? Have you or your Church seen an increase in those asking for assistance? Why do some churches refuse to help people in need? In what ways can we help those in need? Do you believe we are to help those in need? Why or why not? Are churches missing an opportunity to be Jesus to those struggling right now? What is your church doing? What can churches do? What can you personally do? Did Jesus take of the physical before he got to the spiritual? Did he feed, then teach? Did Jesus heal, then forgive? Is there anything we can learn from the way Jesus met the needs of others? If so, what is it? Have you been turned away or blessed by the church when in need? If so, how? How can the church be a blessing to others right now during this difficult time?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Unforgivable Sin

2011-09-13T12:03:00.002-04:00

Is there any sin that Jesus can't or won't forgive? If so, what? Why? Why are so many people afraid of committing an unforgivable sin?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Good News Turned Bad

2011-09-12T09:34:00.003-04:00

You turn on the news and all you hear 99% of the time is bad news. What would good news be? The Bible talks about good news, tells Christian to preach the good news to all the world. What is the good news? Is the gospel and the good news the same or different? Why do some Christians make good news bad news? Which is more motivating, inspiring, life changing, good news or bad? Why too often are Christians known for preaching bad news? Should Christians focus more on the good news? Why or why not? For those of my readers who are not Christians would you be more motivated to listen to good news or bad news? What is more inspiring? Do you think Christians should be known for being messangers of good news in a world that is filled with so much bad news? What can Christians, Ministers, Churches do to shift their focus?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Do Jews, Christians and Muslims worship the same God?

2011-09-09T09:36:00.005-04:00

Do Jews, Christians and Muslims worship the same God? Did all three religions come from Abraham and his descendants? The Jews have their prophets, Christians have their prophets and Muslim have their prophet but do they believe in the same God? Each group believes in different messangers but is the message the same? Is the message different? If so how? Is there an over all message in all three of these religions that is the same? Can and will these religions co-exist? Why or why not?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Confession

2011-09-07T09:13:00.002-04:00

What is confession? What does it do for us? Does it help? How? Does your church practice confession? How? I know that people confess to God, others confess to priests, others confess to other believers, is there a risk when it comes to confession? If so, what? Have you ever confessed to someone and that person betray your trust or talk behind your back? When trust has been betrayed how does that affect confession? Is it a good thing to practice confession? Why or why not? In a survival of the fittest world in which we live is confession a sign of weakness? Is that why confession isn't practiced as much or talked about as much in Churches today? Should it be talked about and practiced more? Should there be rules when confessing to clergy and other Christians. Should their be liability on the part of others who break confidentiality? Do you practice confession? What has confession done for you?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

IF You Could Change One Thing...

2011-09-04T22:01:00.002-04:00

If you could change one thing about Church what would it be?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Amazing Grace

2011-09-03T10:56:00.005-04:00

I sang Amazing Grace growing up at church almost every Sunday. We hear the song on some T.V. commercials, sing it at funerals as well. What is so amazing about grace? What is grace? How does the Bible define grace? Are we saved by grace? How? Why do some have such a problem with believing that grace saves? What is it that grace does for people and for Christians? Does it motivate, provoke, work? If so how? Do you believe we are saved by grace? Why or why not? Does your church believe and preach the grace of God? Why or why not? How does your church show grace to others? Do churches grow, increase in spirituality and numerically when grace is accepted and lived out? Have you seen it? How? What has grace done for you? How can we demonstrate grace to those around us?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Danger of Asking The Tough Questions

2011-09-01T09:15:00.004-04:00

What do we do when we question and find out what we have been taught about faith, religion or God is wrong? How can we change? Does it come easy? What can be the consequences of changing thought and practice once we have discovered something wrong with our views on faith, religion or God? What if it was something that would go against your families beliefs and practices? Is there a certain danger in asking the questions? Have you ever expereinced any of this in your life and faith? What did it do for you as a person? Your faith? Is there a danger of your friends, family, church turning on you for questioning and or changing a view or idea or practice? Have you had that happen? What did you do? How did you handle it?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

To Question or Not To Question

2011-08-29T08:58:00.010-04:00

As you can tell I love to ask questions? I think it is something that instilled in all of us. Even my boys ask me, why?, how, what, when, constantly. Of course, I think it is great. I want them to seek, to think, learn.

I do think for some us, we at some point in our lives just give up, stop questioning and take things as they are or at face value. I can't. I refuse to not question.

So, why do some not question politics, social issues, religion or God? Why are some afraid to ask tough questions? What does it do for us as humans when we question things and situations around us? What happens to us if we just believe things that people tell us whether it is about God, religion, morality, politics, without question? Why do so many refuse to question? Has the Church and Christians in general hindered the nature of asking questions? Or even questioning God, the church, doctrine? Has the church and Christians been known to make people feel guilty or bad for questioning? Can their be negative consequences to organizations, institutions, groups, individuals who hinder, suppress, or guilt people into not asking the tough questions about God and life? If so what are they? Is it good for people to think for themselves when it comes to religion, God, polotics, or any number of issues in life? Does it help people spiritually when we question instead of just taking people at their word about God and religion or any other issue in life? Is it bad or wrong to question? Why or why not? Should we question? Do you question? If so, what, how, why? when?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Council of Nicea & the Bible

2011-08-26T09:19:00.002-04:00

The council of Nicea has made many question the inspiration and fullness of scripture. Did the council throw out gospels, letters and books in the Bible that may have shown Jesus to be less divine? More human? Did there need to be a council to determine what was inspired and not inspired? Could have culture, prejudices, teachings, opinions determined what the council considered inspired? What if the council threw out gospels, letters, books that could have changed Christianity as we know it today? Does it seem right that there even had been a council? Was God & the Holy Spirit at work in what we now have as the Bible?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

How does scripture define love?

2011-08-25T09:03:00.002-04:00

It is pretty hard to define what love is really? Does having scripture help us define it or does scripture even have a hard time defining it? How does scripture define love? One passage defines love as God by stating that God is love? So, if God is love, would 1 Cor 13:4-7 which describes love also be describing to us who God is as well? Does everything a Christian does involve or centered around love? Should we focus more on love? Loving God & others? Why? How?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

What Is Love?

2011-08-24T09:28:00.002-04:00

I am sure you have heard the words, "I love you. or I love ..." What does that mean? What is love? Without using scripture, how would you define love? Is it an emotion? Is it energy? An action? Is it a noun? Verb? Adjective? What is love? Is it easy to love? Why or why not? Where does love come from? How do we love? Does love go beyond, like? What is the difference?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Does God Teach Us Lessons?

2011-08-22T08:45:00.004-04:00

I have heard people say, "God is trying to teach that person a lesson, that is why ... keeps happening. They haven't learned the lesson that God is trying to teach." So, does God work that way? Does God intentionally cause bad things to happen in our lives to teach us a lesson? Will those bad things keep happening in our lives if we haven't learned the lessons that God wants us to learn from them? Do you think God does this? Why or why not? What does that say about God and or us? Or life for that matter? Why do some people say or think this way? Have you heard this from anyone? What did you think or say? Are there examples in the Bible where God does this?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Do Christians come across as ignorant and close minded?

2011-08-19T08:33:00.004-04:00

Do Christians come across as ignorant and close minded when they oppose so many logical ideals and issues in life? Do the ignorant, close minded Christians shout the loudest and therefore represent what Christians are in the eyes of the world? What can intellectuals and open minded Christians do to change the image that the world has of Christians? How can we not come across as stupid? How can intellectuals redefine and shape what Christians are and think about issues that have shown Christians as ignorant and close minded? How can we make Christianity less of a turn off for intellectuals?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Racism & The Church

2011-08-16T23:32:00.002-04:00

Racism. It is a hot topic for media, politics, authors, and activists today. Yet I believe it is a topic and subject that we cannot and should not ignore.
The Church and Christians can't just sweep it under the rug and act like it isn't a problem. I have seen progress but we have much to learn and deal with when it comes to judging other based on the color of skin.
You may be asking why deal with this topic? Why, bring this up? I have seen and heard first hand of racism in Churches today.
A couple of months ago a minister applied to a church in the south. The church and the minister made inquiries into each other and the topic of race, segregation or lack of fellowship with what the church called "black congregations" was addressed. The church made further inquires and found that minister had facebook friends who were black and told the minister they were offended and it wouldn't work out.
Another friend shared with me that a congregation in town would not fellowship with the hispanic congregations.
So, why would people who claim to love God; hate or judge a group of people that God created, based on the color of their skin? Has The Church ignored racism? If so, why? Have you seen racism in The Church and Christians? What can The Church do to tear down the walls of self-imposed segregation? What is your church doing to foster an enviornment of unity?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Questions on EVIL

2011-08-15T08:34:00.003-04:00

I love it when children ask tough questions. My eight year old asked me, "Why did God create evil?" Good question. The Bible makes the claim that God is Holy, Righteous, Good, Pure. So, where did evil come from? Did God create evil? If God did create evil, why would he do so and what does that tell us about God? If God didn't create evil then where did it come from? If God created evil, does it have a purpose? If so, what is it? Can evil be used as good? If so, how? If evil is so bad and God is so good, how could he allow it to continue and exist?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Seeker Services or A Better Way To Reach Seekers and Unchurched?

2011-08-13T09:40:00.003-04:00

Is your church Seeker friendly? Should churches be Seeker friendly? What is your church doing to reach out to those who are seeking Jesus or unchurched? How does your church reach out to the seekers and unchurched? Some churches are now having what they call Seeker Services, does your church have one? Are they and how are they different from other of your church services? Should churches have services geared to or just for those who are seeking or unchurched? Why or why not? Are there better ways than having seeker services to reach out to those seeking and the unchurched? If so what are they?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

Do Christians and the Church take care of the poor?

2011-08-10T13:36:00.002-04:00

Do Christians and the Church take care of the poor? Do they make the poor feel guilty for being poor? Do Christians and the Church have the mentality of God helps those who help themselves? How many Christians beleive, "God help those who help themselves is in the bible?" How does God feel when the poor are neglected and abused? Is American Christians over looking their fellow brothers and sister in their own land who are poor? What does your church do to reach out and minister to the poor? Does your church do anything or do they make anyone who asks for money feel guilty for asking. I have been there and have been made to feel guilty for asking for help. Have you felt the same way? What needs to change in American Churches as far as how they view and treat the poor and those who need financial help?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Do Atheist Have Faith?

2011-08-08T08:45:00.003-04:00

Do Atheist have faith? Does it take faith to believe that there is no God? If Atheist do have faith, what do they have faith in? Does it take more or less faith to believe that there is no God? Are you an Atheist? If so, why?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Why go to church?

2011-08-05T14:16:00.004-04:00

Do you go to church? If so why, if not why not? How often do you go to church? Do women go to church more than men? If so, why? What does going to church do for us as people? What is the purpose and point of going to church? Why do people go to church? Why should they go to church? Do churches focus too much or not enough on church attendance? Should getting church attendance up be a goal for churches? Do churches us to many gimmick's to get people to come to church? What would really can churches do to bring up the number of those who attend? What has your church done and doing for those who attend and potential seekers?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Are Christians and the Church forgiving?

2011-08-03T00:04:00.008-04:00

Are Christians and the church forgiving? Have you been in any churches that say they were forgiving and then someone did something that goes against their view of scripture, expressed a opinion, commits an a sin or offense and the church's attitude towards that individual changes? Have you seen unforgiveness among Christians and churches? How? Should Christians be forgiving? Why or why not? Should Christians and the church be known for offering forgiveness to others? What does it say about a Christian or church when the attitude of unforgiveness prevails? How can Christians and the church be more forgiving of others? Does your church have a spirit of forgiveness? How? What is your church doing to ensure that forgiveness is practiced?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Does Jesus need new P.R.?

2011-07-31T01:38:00.005-04:00

In the world image is everything. So....Is it important the kind of image that Christians portray of Jesus? Why or why not? What kind of image have Christians given of Jesus to the world? Has it been good or bad? How? Does Jesus need new P.R.? What kind of P.R. have you been giving Jesus? What kind of P.R. does He need? Would He be pleased with the image we give the world of who He is and what He is about? Why or why not? What can Christians and the Church do to give the world a better image of who Jesus is and what He is about? If you could be a P.R. agent for Jesus what would you do?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

How Do You Interpret Scripture & Approach The Bible?

2011-07-28T09:40:00.003-04:00

How do you interpret the Bible? Do you take an analytical approach to the text? Do you take a holistic approach to the text? Do you take a literal approach to scripture? Do you just see scripture as something to prove your opinions or views on different topics? Is it important how people approach the Bible? Is everything in the Bible to be taken literally? Why or why not? Is there danger in using scripture to prove points of a opinions? Why or why not? Is there more than one way to approach scripture? How do you approach the text? How should we?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

Does Jesus understand, even when he didn't experience them?

2011-07-25T09:04:00.004-04:00

Does Jesus really understand? Can Jesus know what it is like if he never experienced it? Does Jesus know what it is like to be married and have children? Does understand the emotions and challenges involved in life experiences that He himself never experienced? Does Jesus understand pain? The only physical pain mentioned in the gospels that Jesus experienced was for what maybe 2 days at the most? I heard one person say, "I don't want to hear Jesus understand's your pain when he only experienced a day or two of it on earth." I have heard others say, "Don't tell me Jesus understands my divorce when he wasn't ever married." Should and why didn't the gospels tell us more of what Jesus experienced on earth? Life experience? Yes the Hebrew writer tells us that Jesus was tempted in everyway just as we are yet was without sin? In everyway? Why didn't the gospels show or share other ways besides what they show in gospels in which Jesus was tempted? Why do the gospels only give us 3 temptation when it comes to Jesus? If more life experiences were shared in the gospels and if Jesus had experienced more life experiences would people relate to Him better? Easier? Would you? Can we say Jesus really understands in every situation? Why or why not? How does it make you feel that Jesus was limited in his life experience? What would you have liked the gospels to include? What do you wish Jesus would have experienced? Why? Is Jesus relevant to everyone and in every situation?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts?

Does God Hate Homosexuals?

2011-07-19T09:24:00.001-04:00

You have Christians today who protest and preach against homosexuality in such an offensive way. Holding up signs that read God Hates Fags! Does He? The word fag is abusive and offensive. It is hate speech. Turn off. So why do so many Christians use the word fag or faggot? Does God hate homosexuals? What did Jesus say on the subject of homosexuality? Do you think it is interesting that he never addresses the subject at all? Why didn't he talk about homosexuality during his ministry if he new the Church and his followers would be focusing or addressing the topic? What is the attitude that we should have as Christians towards homosexuals? Do Christians view gossip, lying, the same as homosexuality? Is there big sins and little sins? Or is sin, sin in the eyes of God? Can you be a homosexual and be a Christian? Are their people who struggle with greed, gossip, lying, lust, or other sins and who are Christian? What is the difference?Is there a difference? Are people born homosexual? Is it a choice? If people are born homosexual that what does that say about God? How should the church treat homosexuals? How does your church treat homosexuals?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Are Christians known for being tolerant?

2011-07-09T09:18:00.004-04:00

Are Christians known for being tolerant? What does it mean to be tolerant? Is tolerance bad? Why do some think tolerance is such a bad virtue? Should Christian and the church be more tolerant in the way we treat others? If so why? If not, why not? Is your church tolerant? How? If Christians and churches are to be tolerant of others, how do we become that way? How has your church become more tolerant of others?

2011-06-09T12:31:00.003-04:00

Do you believe in the Trinity? Is the Trinity as Biblical concept? Why or why not? How would you discribe the Trinity to those who don't understand? How can God be 3 in 1? Is it like family, Father, Son, Mother? Why do some not believe in th Trinity? Why do some believe in God, Jesus, and not the Holy Spirit? Why do some believe in God and not in the divinity of Jesus? Can Jesus be both human and divine? Was Jesus God on earth? What would you say to someone who believes in God, believes in Jesus but not his divinity? Does the Holy Spirit indwell us or is it as some would say, the Bible? Does each member of the Trinity have a purpose and if so what are they?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Tough Questions Part 3

2011-06-05T16:24:00.003-04:00

If you go to church, why do you? If you don't, why not? Why should someone go to church? What does the church do for the individual? What has and does church do for you personally? What should it do? How should it function? Is it functioning the way God wants it to function? What advice would you give to a Christian considering quitting the church, Christianity and faith in God? Why do people quit church?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Tough Questions Part 2

2011-05-14T16:16:00.003-04:00

2010-12-22T11:01:00.001-05:00

I hope and pray that everyone of my readers has a happy Christmas and New Year! Looking forward to more blogging in 2011!

Does Your Church Celebrate Christmas?

2010-12-20T10:04:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not some churches and believers don't celebrate Christmas. Some churches and believers have never heard a "Christmas" sermon. Why? Is it wrong to celebrate the birth of Christ? Isn't Jesus, "Emmanuel" God with us? Without "Emmanuel" would there be salvation? Hope? A reason to celebrate? Does your church celebrate Christmas? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for us to celebrate the birth of Christ? Why or why not? Do you and and your family celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas? If not, why not? If so, how?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

If there is no Santa...

2010-12-13T13:43:00.002-05:00

Children at different ages learn the truth about Santa. The question I have for you parents is how would you answer the following question to your child who asked, "If there is no Santa, how can you know God exists and isn't something that is just made up?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Christians, Church, and the Economy

2010-11-16T15:02:00.003-05:00

I don't know any American who hasn't been affected by this economy in America some way or another. I know I have been looking for a job for quite a while now. Yet over the last few months I have learned to trust God especially during the troubling times. I am striving to be content in my time of need as did the apostle Paul. I have seen and heard of many Christians facing layoffs, unemployment, lose of housing, medical, and on. Churches are even going through difficult financial trouble. Most churches in America did not meet their budgets for this year and even heard on CNN of churches facing fore closer. Trusting and relying on God especially during difficult times is important. Even Jesus understood this as in the Lord's Prayer it says, "Give us this day our daily bread." Relience opon God for sustaining his people. How should Christians and churches handle this economic crisis? How we respond? What are you doing during this economic crisis? Are you sacrificing in other ways to help meet others needs in the Kingdom? Should you? How do you think this will effect ministry, church attendance, dynamics, teachings as the American economy continue to decline? Will this bad economy quicken the death of the false teaching of the health and wealth gospel preached by Osteen and others? Could God be using it to do just that?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Willing To Speak or Preach @ Your Church or Gathering

2010-10-29T10:01:00.002-04:00

I want to let my readers know that I am willing to speak or preach at your church or gathering. If you would like to book me for a speaking event you can leave me a message or e-mail me at kinney.mabry@gmail.com

Is it important for Christians to take care of mind, body and soul?

2010-10-26T12:12:00.004-04:00

I have practiced yoga and meditation for several years now. I have found the practice to be very therapeutic healing my mind, body and soul. It has help me handle the stress in my life as well. I have had few migraines when practicing yoga and meditation. I find it interesting that man was created in the image of God and that God is trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I also find it interesting that we are created with mind, body and soul. Isn't it important that we take care of ourselves in all ways mind, body soul? Jesus tells us to love him mind, body and soul as well. The question isn't can Christians practice yoga but rather shouldn't we do what takes care of the complete self since we are the temple of God? Is it healthy for Christians to neglect any aspect of self in which we were created by God? Do we focus enough on taking care of ourselves? We seem to of course focus on the soul yet don't mention enough the importance of taking care of the body and mind? Why don't we focus more as believers on all three aspects? How have you found the practice of yoga and meditation to be beneficial in your life?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

What Does Galatians 3:28 Mean To You and The Church??

2010-10-25T09:03:00.003-04:00

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

What does this passage mean to you?

What does this passage mean for the Church?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

Is It Important That Churches Are Relevant and Missional Today?

2010-10-21T11:28:00.004-04:00

Now that I am taking a sabbatical from full time ministry I have had the opportunity to visit many different churches. I have been able to see whether churches see the importance of being relevant and missional in the way they approach outsiders. I have found that many churches want to be relevant and missional but some are so steeped in tradition and program mentality outreach, that they are unwilling to change. Other churches I have visited are afraid of loosing members and financial contributors for the sake of being relevant and missional in their communities and neighborhoods. Yet there are many churches that I have visited that are simply putting their faith in God, being relevant and missional and are seeing true Kingdom growth.

What does it mean to be relevant and missional for the church in our culture? Is it important for churches to be relevant and missional today? Why or why not? Why is there a fear of being relevant and missional in some churches today? What does it take for churches to be relevant and missional in our world today? Why is it so hard to change a churches mentality from being internally focused to being outwardly focused? How can churches be more relevant and missional? How about your church? What is your church doing to be more relevant and missional?

What do you think?

2010-08-01T17:14:00.002-04:00

I often wonder if Jesus would like what Christianity has become. Do think his followers have made Christianity into something he would be ashamed of? You see especially in america today that Christianity has become against so many things. It has for the most part become a religion of "anti's". Anti-science, anti-birth control, anti-femenism, anti homosexual, anti-democrat, and on and on and on...Is this what Jesus wanted Christianity to be? Did Jesus want Christianity to become a religion of conformity to a polical or social ideology? Are believers today forgetting what Christianity is about? Have Christians made it into a turn off for the world and others? Is there anything believers can do to refocus Christianity on Christ and what He thinks?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Sundays (The Most Segregated Day of The Week)

2010-07-06T20:22:00.003-04:00

Sunday at least in America is the most segregated day of the week. I remember living in Abilene passing by several churches and hear that church is the "black congregation". "Christians" choose to go to the church of their liking whether it is a particular denomination or even churches that are segregated by race. Is it okay to worship were we are most comfortable? What does that say about Christianity in America? Is your church diverse? Should churches be more diverse? How can churches become more diverse? Has your church overcome diversity? In what ways? How? What has your churched learned? What can the church learn in being more diverse with different faiths, races and socio-economic statis? Do think this is something that will get better or worse?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

What To Do When Things Don't Make Sense

2010-06-20T21:24:00.003-04:00

It seems lately that I constantly struggle with faith. There are so many questions I have about God, Jesus, the Bible, and life in general that often seem to not make sense. I find myself frustrated. Does everything about God and the Bible have to make sense? When things don't make sense what should we do? Question more? Seek? Give Up? Have faith even though it may not make sense? I think that we as Christians sometime think or even stress to one another that everything makes sense or should make sense if we have faith. Does it? Do you think we stress this within churches and to each other as believers and does this hurt faith? I find faith a constant struggle. Do you? What do you do when you find things that don't make sense? How do you deal with the questions you have about God, Jesus, the Bible and life in general? Have you felt frustrated? What do you do?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

What Other Books?

2010-06-01T00:15:00.001-04:00

What other books besides the bible has made a difference in your life, faith, marriage?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Questions Concerning Worship

2010-05-17T09:31:00.002-04:00

What is worship? Is worship of God about God or for us as His people? Has worship always been relevant? Should worship be relevant? Do believers focus too much on style, form, instead of the heart? Can traditions hinder worship? How? What is the purpose of worship? Can believers take Biblical texts out of context concerning what can and can't be done in worship to God? What does it mean to worship in "Spirit and Truth"? Do we often confuse what it means to worship in "Spirit and Truth"? Should worship be seeker friendly? Why or why not? Should we have the mission of Christ in mind when we worship? Why are so many believers so afraid of change when it come to worship? What does it say when we refuse to change in regards to worship? How should worship change us? How does your church worship? Is your church traditional as far as worship of God? How has your church made worship more relevant?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Why are you a Christian?

2010-05-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

Why are you a Christian?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Why Should Someone Be A Christian?

2010-04-27T09:04:00.003-04:00

In your on way, how would you convince someone to be a Christian? What reasons should someone believe and follow God? Is life on earth really better for those who follow God? Is there any benefit for protection or blessings in this life that non-believers don't have? Any less pain? Suffering? Does God take care of His people? If I can live a life of happiness on this life without God or if I am going to have the same problems as non-believers on earth, then why follow God and Christ? If God is so loving and caring then why does he allow the innocent to suffer? Can we know for sure their is an after-life? Would a loving and merciful God send someone to hell? Why? Why would God be jealous isn't that a shallow human emotion? Why would God want people to fear Him or fear going to hell? Is fear a good thing? There are a lot of things in the Bible that don't make sense or seem to contradict itself, can we know for sure that the bible is truth? Why be a Christian if it seems that non-believers are just as moral? Why should someone be a Christian?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Missionaries Needing Support

2010-04-26T15:27:00.005-04:00

Raja Rao is a missionary from India. He is needing to find support for 3 co-preachers that help his team. You can support an entire minister for $50 a month or all 3 ministers for $150 a month. If you or your church is interested or if you would like to contribute to this team of missionaries the information is posted here in the comment section. Leave an encouraging note as well for these servants of God.

Disfellowship Of One Church Against Another

2010-04-13T09:46:00.003-04:00

I have been without the Internet for a while. Now have faster wireless Internet. Thank you for your patience.

I am troubled by what I have seen lately among some churches and that is churches dis-fellowshiping believe it or not other churches for things that they disagree about or don't see as Biblical (which usually isn't anything having to do with salvation at all). The questions I have:
Does the Bible give authority for a church to dis-fellowship another church? Where is that authority in the Bible? Is there example of the Corinthian church dis-fellowshiping the Roman church? Why do some Churches think they have the right to do so? Does this go against Christian unity? Do we believe in church being autonomous from each other? Have you seen this and do you have any problems with churches acting in this kind of behavior towards another? What can be done to solve this problem that is occuring between some churches? How can Christians make a difference on this unbiblical practice?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Thoughts on Scripture

2010-03-29T10:34:00.002-04:00

Conservative Christians usually tend to approach the Biblical text analytically. We break it down into chapters, paragraphs, verses, sentences, clauses, phrases, words, prefixes, roots, suffixes, jots and titles. In doing so do we strip the Word of God of all mystery? Is it important on how we approach the Biblical text? Do we approach the text to try to "prove" a point, doctrine, or oppinion? Or do we approach the text holistically? Do often as believers try to say that the word of God can be easily understood? Do we commodify the Bible to other modern products, its easy! Fast! Convenient!? Is it??? Is there passages that bother, confuse or concern you? Should we approach the text with a missional approach? What you are and suppose to be and do? Should we drop proof texting? Should we focus on the big story, always moving toward our place in its ongoing trajectory? Do we value marginalized readers and readings? Do we think of the Bible as a book of answers and questions? Does we allow the text to motivate us to go deeper becoming students, seekers and learners?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Kingdom of God

2010-03-11T11:18:00.002-05:00

What is the kingom about? Are we missing the point? Is the Kingdom only here on earth? Is it about heaven only? Or both? What is the kingdom about?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Salvation From What???

2010-03-04T09:47:00.004-05:00

What is the point of Salvation? Is it to save an individual from hell? Or is there more to Salvation? Is Salvation a one-time experience or a lifelong journey? Is it about rescue from your uncomfortable circumstances, or rescue from this world after death? Or is about being rescued from a life that is rescued from a life that is disconnected from God and God's adventure, both in this life and the next? What are we saved from and for? To what degree is salvation from fear of death important important to you? How can we as believers live what we believe about salvation?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Differing Ideologies

2010-02-17T09:42:00.005-05:00

I have found that many believers think it is okay to tell other Christians what to read, not read, and how to think. Why? Why do some believers try to force their ideologies on others? Some Christians even like to label other Christians as heretics, etc. Why?Not believing the exact same way they do? What makes some believers think all Christians in order to be Christians must think and agree on every issue that they do? Can we as believers have differing beliefs? Isn't faith personal? Did Jesus force people to think they way he did on everything? Did Jesus leave room for interpretation? In the Apostles letters do we see differing opinions and ideologies? Can we have differing beliefs and still have unity?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts?

Thoughts on Faith Part 6!

2010-02-08T10:50:00.002-05:00

How do our actions affect our faith? Do they work together? How? What is the benefit of faith and actions working together? Are we saved by faith or works? Do people confuse faith and works? Why? If believers actions don't back up their faith, what does that say about their faith?
What message does it send to non-believers when Christians actions don't match their faith?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Thoughts on Faith Part 5!

2010-01-28T10:02:00.002-05:00

What kind of God do we believe in? What does that say about us and our faith? Do we put limits and expectations on God and faith? Why? Should we limit God or put him in our own box? When believers limit God or put him in a box what does that say about our faith? Why are some believers more legalistic than others and how does that play a role in the faith of others?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts?

Thoughts on Faith Part 4!

2010-01-18T17:35:00.002-05:00

Why do you believe in God? What benefits have you seen in believing? What if you put your faith in God only to find out that he never existed, just a myth like Santa Clause, Tooth Fairy or Easter Bunny? Can we know for sure that there is a God? How? Can you prove God exists? Should we try? If God does exist, does God want Christians to prove His existance? Why or Why not?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Thoughts On Faith Part 3!

2010-01-11T09:14:00.003-05:00

When it comes to faith, who do we put our faith in? Is it God? The Trinity? The Bible? The Church? Can we have faith without excepting the Bible as the inspired Word of God? Can we have faith in God and not the Trinity? Can you have faith without putting your faith in the Church? Do some have more faith in the Bible than they do God? Why? Do some put their faith in the church moreso than God? Why? Can we have faith in ourselves and God? Is that faith? Can we have faith in God without being a prayerful person or a person in the Word?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts?

Thoughts on Faith Part 2!

2009-12-28T10:12:00.002-05:00

Do believers confuse faith? Do we think in order to have faith we never struggle, never question, never doubt? I know for me I constantly stuggle in my faith with God. I read his word and often it doesn't make sense or isn't even fair. I struggle in life. I have questions. There are times when doubt consumes my thoughts and life. There are times when I am holding on to faith by a thread. Yet isn't that still faith? Faith that is hanging on by a thread, still faith? What do you think? Do we confuse faith? Do we think we have to be strong all the time? Unquestioning? Undoubting? Is it realistic to place these expectations on other believers? Do we place these expectations of what faith is on other believers? Why? What does it do to believers when we send this type of message? Do you doubt? Does your often find your faith hanging on by a thread?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!!!

2009-12-24T12:13:00.001-05:00

I hope all of my readers have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thoughts On Faith Part 1!

2009-12-15T19:55:00.002-05:00

What is faith? Why is faith so important? Do you believe that faith in God is importnat? Why or why not? What does faith do? Does it play a part in salvation? If so, what? Why do you believe?

What do you think think?
Share your thoughts.

Living Victoriously

2009-12-09T08:45:00.004-05:00

As Christians we have an eternal victory through the grace and love of Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us in Romans 8, that we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Jesus tells us in the gospels that he had come to give us live and give it abundantly. Do we as believers believe this? Do we cherish each day as a gift or blessing from God? Do understand and live victorious lives? What keeps so many believers from living victoriously? What can help us live victoriously in Jesus Christ? What helps you? What message do we send to the world when we refuse to live victorious lives?

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Why and Why Not?

2009-12-03T09:13:00.001-05:00

If you believe in God, why do you? If you don't believe in God, why not?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.