Episode 66 1/2 – Not Quite a New Episode ;)
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: Subscribe to the Podcast at… Apple Spotify Google
Entries by milesdebenedictis
Ask! Seek! Knock!
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,and to him who knocks it will be opened.” […]
Cultural Destabilization
A couple Sundays ago I shared from Deuteronomy 3 about the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. These two-and-a-half tribes inquired of Moses that they might receive the lot of their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River. Effectively this possession was outside of the Promised Land, with a […]
Episode 66 – June 7th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 27:28 – What is the meaning of Isaiah 62:6? Who are the watchmen? @ 35:14 – What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Are we […]
Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9 I have a confession to make. I like UFC. There are probably a number […]
Let Justice Run Down Like Water
The voice of your brother’s bloodcries out to Me from the ground. – Genesis 4:10 I am ashamed that this week we, as a nation, are known for […]
Episode 65 – May 24th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 14:46 – Will God judge christians for their good works for him as well? Is there different levels of rewards for those more faithful to Christ with their life? […]
Episode 64 – May 17th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 26:35 – Do you think that a future covid19 vaccine could be the mark of the beast and that we’re this close to the rapture? @ 34:16 – 1,200 […]
What Do You Want Me To Do?
So he, trembling and astonished, said,“Lord, what do You want me to do?” – Acts 9:6 I’ve often thought that Paul’s question (above) from Acts […]
Episode 63 – May 10th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 27:20 – 2 Kings 13:20-21 tells us of a man being thrown into Elisha’s grave and miraculously being revived once his body touched the bones. I assume that Elisha […]
My Hope…
My hope is built on nothing lessthan Jesus’ blood and righteousness These words may be familiar to you. Especially if you grew up in a more traditional church. They were written by a hymn writer (Edward Mote) in the 19th century, and they’ve been song in churches worldwide, nearly ever since. I find that they […]
Episode 62 – May 3rd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 27:38 – Doesn’t Scripture say that no one knows when Jesus is coming back? Does Jesus not know when He is coming back? @ 29:29 – Was Goliath possibly […]
Episode 61 – April 26th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 23:33 – When will we have services again at Cross Connection? I hear some churches are going back this week. What do you think about that? @ 29:44 – […]
Enoch Walked With God
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.. – Genesis 5:24 This last Monday we launched “The Daily OT” listening […]
Episode 60 – April 19th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 15:34 – Monday night on TV Pastor Miles shared about transcendence. He mentioned “near death experiences.” There was a popular book about a boy who said he experienced one […]
My Sheep Hear My Voice
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. […]
Episode 59 – April 5th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 8:00 – Why are churches still meeting during this and claiming “constitutional rights?” Isn’t this disobedience to the government and against Romans 13? (Special Guest, Pastor Rob McCoy, Godspeak […]
Just Thinking » Covid-19
It’s a Sunday afternoon. Most Sunday afternoons I get home from the church, right about this time (it’s 2:15pm), after preaching 3 messages. Today was the third Sunday I didn’t do that, because the message was recorded on Video, and played (and watched) online. This, as they say, is the “new normal” for churches. It […]
Episode 58 – March 29th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 28:43 – If we can be confident that God is doing a good work through our prayers, and a lot of people are praying, why isn’t this virus going […]
Episode 57 – March 22nd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 20:44 – If we desire to make wise decisions and live by wisdom, the sources of information we receive are vital to living in wisdom. You spoke about having […]
Episode 56 – March 15th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 24:31 – Another followup: What I don’t understand is this: less than a hundred years ago, women couldn’t wear pants because culture dictated that those were men’s clothes, but […]
Episode 55 – March 8th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 28:27 – What is Lent for? Is it Ok to follow it. @ 31:58 – God gave Abraham the land for his people and descendants. Why is Palestine still […]
Episode 54 – March 1st Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 21:57 – I’m listening to the message and thinking, but what of those that use the Bible and twist it to their own agenda? I know they think they […]
Episode 53 – February 23rd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 24:20 – What is the difference between mercy and grace? @ 28:02 – Why doesn’t our church teach that women should wear head coverings while praying? And if women […]
Episode 52 – February 16th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 17:09 – I’ve heard bible commentary (most recently from Spurgeon) who says our feelings aren’t important. I was on fire for Jesus when I was first saved. Lately, I’ve […]
Episode 51 – February 9th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 20:29 – How do I know what counsel is the best when I am hearing very different things from people I trust? @ 28:50 – The “son of man” […]
Episode 50 – February 2nd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 23:56 – What is the biblical purpose of the church? I’ve heard 2 contrasting mindsets: 1)”church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints” versus a different […]
Episode 49 – January 26th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 9:58 – In verse 4 in New King James it says Moses killed the kings of Amorites and the king of the Bashan, I the English Standard Version it says […]
To Seek and Save
I saw a bumpersticker recently that said, “Jesus is coming! (And boy is he angry).” Except angry was another word, which I don’t need to post here (but it rhymes with kissed). I was reminded of the sticker, when I read Jesus’ words in Matthew 18, this morning. “For the Son of Man has come […]
Episode 48 – January 19th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 16:53 – Tax collectors of the bible. Were they reps of the Roman govt. or were they an early version of the Mafia who worked thru extortion. @ 24:16 […]
Running With Endurance
Over the holiday I ran in the San Diego Holiday Half Marathon. It was 15 years ago that I ran my last half marathon, and though I’d trained for the few months leading up to the race, it became clear as I ran that I wasn’t 100% prepared for the entirety of the race. Physically, I […]
Episode 47 – January 12th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 21:57 – Is Christianity a religion? Or a relationship with our creator? @ 25:05 – What other evidence for transcendence is there, in addition to the five evidences for […]
I Ain’t Afraid No More
In 2004, rapper Kanye West released a hit entitled “Jesus Walks.” When it came out, I would loop it frequently when I’d go on a long run, even though the lyrics (at the time) weren’t the best. In 2004, West was anything but a Christian role model, and the song far from “Christian.” But in […]
Episode 46 – January 5th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 9:09 – Do you think climate change is real? Is it “manmade?” @ 15:51 – Do you think the stuff happening in Iran is connected to Bible end times prophecy, […]
Episode 45 – December 29th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 18:10 – Concerned about the programming on Netflix you mentioned on the last podcast. Thinking of canceling my subscription- I don’t watch a lot of tv, but is it […]
Episode 44 – December 15th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 22:10 – The white stone in Revelation about a name does that mean we will be getting a new name when we get to Heaven? Some commentators say we […]
Episode 43 – December 8th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 17:00 – Are there other instances in the Bible where “the satan” (as in Job 1 and 2) is referred to rather than the devil we know and hate? […]
Episode 42 – December 1st Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 18:10 – How does it feel to be forty? @ 24:15 – The pastor was talking about we don’t have good perspective like a cow giving birth, does this […]
Episode 41 – November 24th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 23:43 – Would Job not have been restored and rewarded if he didn’t pray for his friends? @ 28:09 – What is the difference in language that makes people […]
Episode 40 – November 17th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 16:55 – Where does the Bible mention other cities being destroyed, besides Sodom & Gomorrah. @ 21:08 – Pastor Miles mentioned Karma as similar to the principle of sowing […]
Episode 39 – November 10th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 11:01 – What is your favorite book in the Bible and why? @ 15:26 – In chapter 3, Job is questioning why he was born. He seems to be […]
Episode 38 – November 3rd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 12:40 – Is having true compassion for others a gift from God? @ 20:34 – Did Satan try to intervene and use Jobs friend to make him forsake God? […]
Episode 37 – October 27th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 12:33 – Does Satan have the ability to inflict people with sickness, disease etc? If he does, do also his demons. And if he or they do, is permission […]
Episode 36 – October 20th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 9:51 – What are some verses or passages that would be good to study or meditate on as I spend time with the Lord privately? @ 18:07 – Do you […]
Episode 35 – October 13th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 23:56 – Does God hide things from the Devil? @ 26:10 – Are we supposed to judge the church by the people? @ 28:18 – If you hit a wall […]
Episode 34 – September 29th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 18:09 – I just looked up Redemptive Suffering. Besides Catholics do any other religions believe it? It says it can repair our own soul and others. @ 25:15– My question […]
Episode 33 – September 22nd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 18:45 – What is the role of Israel after the new covenant? God makes a lot of promises and prophesies concerning them, but does Galatians 3:28 (there is neither […]
Episode 32 – September 15th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 13:26 – What did Jesus mean when speaking about parables in Mark 4:11-12? Did He not want the masses to understand his words? @ 19:22 – In regards to […]
Episode 31 – September 8th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 20:31 – I was wondering what your opinion is of Rick Warren and if his book The Purpose Driven Life-What on Earth am I here for?… would it be […]
Episode 30 – September 1st Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 13:46 – In 1 Cor 14:2, “For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God…”is Paul speaking of God our Father, YHWH, or […]
Episode 29 – August 25th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 12:40 – What is the difference between knowing about God, and knowing and trusting God? @ 20:58 – I’m confused about the difference in translations in 1 John 5:7 […]
Episode 28 – August 18th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 10:34 – Which ‘love’ definitions are used in 1 John 5:1? @ 14:25 – So if I love someone, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to like them or […]
Episode 27 – August 11th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 13:31 – Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” How did you […]
Episode 26 – August 4th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 11:28 – Do all of our thoughts come to us from another spirt, or outside of us? Or do we come up with them? @ 17:59 – If the Gnostics […]
Episode 25 – July 28th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 10:21 – To who has it be given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God? (Mark 4:11)? @ 12:41 – I’m reading through Matthew and had a question. […]
Episode 24 – July 21st Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 17:04 – What is the difference between condemnation and conviction? @ 20:13 – I’ve always found my love to be responsive. How do I love preemptively. How can I “practically” […]
Episode 23 – July 14th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 15:53 – Why does God “test” people when he is all-knowing? @ 21:38 – Can you explain what John means when talking about children of the Devil? Where else […]
Episode 22 – July 7th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 11:52 – What are some tips that you have to stay strong when the world hates you? @ 18:57 – Where did Cain find a wife if the first humans […]
Episode 21 – June 30th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 12:42 – When someone says that they aren’t interested in Christianity because it’s a religion, and all religion is man-made, what is the best kind of response to that? […]
Episode 20 – June 9th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 7:21 – I just looked up the scientific and Scripture discussion on when life begins. There is the embryological view, the neuro-genical (or neurological) view, the ecological view, the […]
Episode 19 – June 2nd Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 16:57 – According to 1st Corinthians 5:11 if I invited a brother who calls himself a believer and yet he has not been in fellowship and has not been […]
Episode 18 – May 26th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 13:02 – Acts 13:48 it says “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed […]
Episode 17 – May 19th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 20:20 – What if we don’t hate people but we are indifferent? How do we draw closer to loving other? @ 27:41 – How do we draw close to Jesus […]
Episode 16 – May 12th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 11:48 – If Jewish people don’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah and therefore don’t believe in the new covenant, do they still follow the whole law of the […]
Episode 15 – May 5th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 7:40 – What did you mean when you said ” your sin will find you out?” @ 14:41 – First question is on Mark 16:9-19. Why were these verses added […]
April 28th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 3:52 – Explain Revelation 5:8 where it says the prayers are in a bowl in Heaven? @ 9:48 – I fear for the jewish people. If they are Gods […]
April 21st Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 6:29 – Where can one get a belt so white? @ 7:24 – What scriptures describe the demise of all of the Apostles, as shared in the teaching today? @ […]
April 14th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 7:26 – Is it wrong/sinful to desire pleasure, power, happiness, fame, and wealth? @ 14:55 – How can I experience the joy Jesus offers when my life is in […]
April 7th Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 5:03 – Who are those in the ‘great cloud of witnesses? (Hebrews 12:1) @ 10:28 – Why did Jesus change Simon’s name to Peter? @ 16:03 – How many […]
March 31st Sermon Q&A
If you’re a listener, or subscriber, give us a shout-out and send us a text (and text more questions) to (760) 814-1223. Questions & Timestamps: @ 4:45 – On Saturday two women from the Jehovah Witness Church knocked on my door! Felt ill-equipped to say anything so I didn’t! What should I do to be […]
March 17th Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 4:6-15. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 6:24 – Verse 8 of today’s text, “Day” is capitalized. What is the significance? The day of the ‘Bema’ seat? @ 11:18 – Why does Easter keep changing […]
March 10th Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 4:1-6 talking about the importance of preaching the Word. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 7:28 – What text do you think Timothy used for preaching? @ 11:39 – What did the first preachers and […]
March 3rd Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 3:16 – 4:2 talking about the inspired and useful word of God. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 3:23 – What is the difference between soul and spirit. And what is Spirituality? @ 7:47 – […]
February 24th Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 3:1-9 considering the reason for peril in the last days. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 0:36 – Did Timothy ever have trouble following Paul? Did he ever have doubts? Or doubts about God’s will? […]
February 17th Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 3:1-9 considering the reason for peril in the last days. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 4:00 – If I recognize that I have a hardened heart. How do I change that? @ 13:12 – […]
February 10th Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 2:20-26 considering the topic of vessels of honor and dishonor. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 13:00 – Do you believe that all non-believers in the church are here with dishonorable intentions? @ 15:40 – Do […]
February 3rd Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday we studied through 2 Timothy 2:14-19, and we considered the importance of maintaining unity, while also rightly dividing the Scriptures. Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer the questions we received from the message. Questions & Timestamps: @ 9:40 – If there is a person who likes to dispute over the bible in […]
January 27th Sermon Q&A
Last Sunday Pastor Mark taught for me while I was out of town at a conference. You can check the message out here. During the message we had a few questions texted in, so Pastor Mark and I sat down to answer them this afternoon. I hope it is an encouragement to you. Download Mp3 […]
January 20th Sermon Q&A
My hope as we move into 2019 is to do a little bit more to answer some of the questions that those in the church have, as we study through the Scriptures together. Certainly I answer questions one-to-one when asked, but when things are a little busy after a service on Sunday, it is sometimes […]
Constitutional Crisis
If you are paying attention, I think you will agree that the discourse in the United States over the last two years has been divisive. The vast majority of the division is political. But the partisan divide has manifest in the form of fissures of racial division, socioeconomic division, division between white and blue collar […]
Act As if God Exists
Back in June, I wrote an article on “Why Jordan Peterson Matters,” and why Christians should take notice. My article got pushback from some Christians who — though I’m not sure they thoroughly read it — incredulously questioned why CalvaryChapel.com would run an article on Peterson, or why a pastor (me) would encourage people to […]
Science Denier!?!
Our culture loves to pigeonhole, label and straw-man nearly everything it disagrees with. Which means, if you’re a miracle-believing Christian, then in the eyes of a growing demographic, you are branded a “science denier.” And in 21st century Western Culture, because of the high value placed upon “science,” that’s among the worst things you could […]
Why Jordan Peterson Matters
I have watched, somewhat in awe, over the last couple of years the rise of Jordan Peterson on YouTube, through podcasts and other media formats (books, blogs, etc.). I haven’t always been sure how to classify him or categorize his ascent. He’s not a Christian, at least not in an orthodox sense. Though I’ve heard […]
Shepherd the Flock of God
I’ve been thinking a lot about Peter’s exhortation to church leaders in his first letter. Partly because I taught on the passage (1 Peter 5:1-4) almost exactly two years ago and partly because I’ve used it several times since as a passage to help teach young leaders how to study and preach through the scriptures. […]
Does the Omni God Limit Himself?
Recently, while reading a blog post by Roger Olson I came across the following—from him—in response to one of the comments. [The Bible] suggests that our praying can make a real difference in how God acts for the good. I can only speculate that is due to some self-limitation of God for the sake of […]
Tricks & Tools of the Day
If you’re anything like me, then you are constantly looking for better and/or more efficient ways of keeping up with the regular tasks of day to day life and ministry. Being that I was raised with technology, that typically means that I am looking for apps and services that make my life and ministry a […]
Can we tolerate intolerance?
At this moment, just days from Christmas, a whole lot of noise has been stirred up in American pop-culture, resulting from the “Duck Commander’s” words that are to be printed in the January issue of GQ Magazine. The Twitter-sphere, blogosphere and mainline newsosphere are all a buzz, which of course means I have something to […]
Thoughts in Response to John Piper
Pastor John Piper’s “Ask Pastor John” podcast this week discussed the question posed by Arminian Professor Roger Olson “Where’s the Arminian John Piper?” Upon listening to John’s response I asked my friend, Pastor Tim Brown, for his reactions. I found them very thought provoking and worth consideration. Here is Piper’s podcast… Here is Tim’s response… […]
Why I’m optimistic for the future of Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel, a ministry and movement I’ve had the privilege of both growing up in and serving with for more than 20 years, is now facing the most significant transitional changes that it has in all the time I’ve been associated with it. With the passing of Pastor Chuck Smith a week ago, the changes […]
Remembering Pastor Chuck Smith
Early this morning, Pastor Chuck Smith went home to be with Jesus, after a nearly two year battle with cancer. In thinking about Pastor Chuck, a few thoughts come to mind. In about May or June of this year I tasked one of our staff members at CCEsco with clearing out an onsite storage area […]
Personal Spirituality
In the day in which we live, “religious” has been replaced with the term “spiritual,” which is both ambiguous as well as hard to define. That said, it is clear that religion and spirituality play a roll in the lives of every human being, as we were created to worship. Therefore, as individuals imaging the […]
Boston Observations
Like virtually every American I was glued to the news this last week as a result of the Marathon Bombing. I was however somewhat detached being that I was teaching at a small international bible college in Ireland. That said, I did have a few observations in light of the happenings. Bravery Quite honestly it […]
Miles Wide
Last week I traveled to the East Coast as a representative of the Calvary Church Planting Network at a Calvary Chapel Pastor’s Conference in Florida. In so doing I was honestly amazed by the scope of the Calvary Chapel family of churches. Walking onto the campus at Calvary Merritt Island was — quite honestly — […]
Food for Thought
I was flipping through an old book on my bookshelf the other day and stumbled upon this section dealing with maintaining a middle-ground position on divisive theological points. Personally I appreciate such a humble orthodoxy. Some people object because they feel that I gloss over certain passages of Scripture, and they’re correct. But glossing over […]
Vision – Part 3: Impartation
I love how imaginative my kids are. Ethan (4 years old) and Addie (soon to be 3) have super vivid imaginations (I’m sure Eva does too, but she’s only just turned 1). The other day while driving home from Costco we had one of their movies playing in the back seat. During the “moral of […]
Millennials and Eschatology
For many Evangelical Baby Boomers the word Millennial is connected to the “End Times.” This is largely due to the fact that one of the hallmarks of American evangelicalism in the last 50 years has been a vivid end times discourse. But in our 21st century American Lexicon, Millennial has a greater connection to the […]
Happy Thanksgiving!
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: – Psalm 50:14 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. – Psalm 69:30 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. – Psalm 95:2 […]
Vision – Part 2: Developing Vision
In my last post I ventured into the topic of vision and discussed the first of five important aspects of it for pastors, that of receiving vision. I explained how that receiving vision is as easy as desire. But, the problem with visionary desires at the conception stage is that they’re not always entirely clear. Just […]
God Voted Obama
As I lay down to go to sleep last night I thought to myself, “What is the best way to respond to those I lead this week regarding the electoral decisions of our nation in this 2012 campaign.” A couple of hours earlier a member of the church had texted me asking, “Well, any words […]
Vision – Part 1
Over the last several years I’ve given much thought to the subject of vision and have written a few times of it here on Cross Connection. Verses like Proverbs 29:18 regularly come to my mind — “Where there is no vision, the people perish” — and keep me cognizant of the fact that vision is […]