Today, I’m going to blow your mind. Actually, I’m going to take on one of the most deeply rooted, commonly accepted social standards in the Christian faith. My goal is to blow your mind. I will probably succeed in sincerely offending you. I am not trying to offend. I don’t want to. But it’s likely unavoidable […]
What Your Kid Thinks of Church
The lights lower. The video screen darkens and people hurry to their seats. It’s time for church. A man steps to the podium and begins. Man: Blah, blah, blah — blah, blah, blah — of the blah, and the blah, and the blah. Aa-blah. What?? You’ve come to church for years. But you’ve probably never imagined […]
The New Holy Land…Tampa?!?
It is 2 am, and time to wake up. A late get up for the rest of our journey to the Holy Land where the time is 7 hours ahead, but we figure it will help with jet lag. My wife and I are not experienced international travelers. The longest plane ride she has ever […]
If I Talked to My Wife Like the Church Liturgy Talks to God
Me: Enter the family room with excitement and the living room with thanks! Wife: Ok… Me: Most beautiful and ever loving wife, we are gathered here today to have a conversation. In this conversation our hearts will be opened and all our communications known, and from each other no secrets hid. Hear the thoughts of […]
All the Single Ladies, NOW PUT YOUR HANDS UP!
I think it’s the one song that as a single girl we get excited about and rush to the dance floor at a wedding. “If you liked it then you shoulda’ put a ring on it.” Then we’re like “YEAH! I’m single! Whoah oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh.” Then […]
10 Ways to Make the World Love You
This world is a tough place to be a Christian. We’re criticized and looked down on. We’re criticized for criticizing and looking down on. We’re too stupid to be considered human, yet barely non-vegetative enough to still be bigots. And if you’ve followed my ten ways to make Christians love you (and a few people still do), there’s a good chance non-Christians […]
The Secret to Stopping Lust: Don’t Do It!
Don’t think of a pink elephant! I bet I can guess what you are thinking about. In the movie Inception, a character addressed the easiest way to plant an idea in a person’s mind…tell them not to think about it. Don’t look down! Who hasn’t been up high and heard someone shout this never followed […]
A Crisis of Hero and Villain Within
You shouted, “Yes!” and fist pumped. Peyton Manning threw his second interception. Your heart leapt for joy. Richard Sherman lay writhing in a heap. You alternately rejoiced or mourned as superhumans on display rose or toppled in glorious, otherworldly fashion. In the Colliseum of our day. The altar of pop culture achievement. The Super Bowl. […]
The Fools First Podcast – Meet the Fools
In our debut podcast, R. Daniel and I discuss The Fools, rudeness, and marriage. All of which, of course, relate. For reference, our first post — Is Your Church Too Cool for Family? — JP https://s3.amazonaws.com/thefools/The+Fools-+1.m4aPodcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
10 Ways to Make Christians Love You
(Some of the following are great choices if God leads you to make them on a personal level. The problem comes in when we believe they are automatically better for everyone and the standard for maturity in Christ. Confession: I listen to Christian music and hate gory movies. -JP) Everyone knows Christians are supposed to love […]