Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

In Daniel 3 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the idol of King Nebuchadnezzar. Because of this they are given a choice--bow down or be thrown into a blazing furnace.  Now most of us know the end of the story when SM&A aren't even harmed by the blazing furnace.  But what about their faith leading up to that moment?  They realized that God had the power to deliver them and they were even expecting it.  But check out what they ... Read More

[Yahoo] For decades, Boston University sociologist Peter Berger says, American intellectuals have looked down on evangelicals. Educated people have the notion that evangelicals are "barefoot people of Tobacco Road who, I don't know, sleep with their sisters or something," Berger says. It's time that attitude changed, he says. "That was probably never correct, but it's totally false now and I think the image should be corrected," Berger said in a recent interview. Now, his university's Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs is leading a two-year project that explores ... Read More

I ran into my friend Gwen Smith @ Starbucks this morning as I often do.  My wife, Cassandra first told me about Gwen last year when she heard her sing at a local conference she went to.  Cass said, you've got to hear her.  Then by God's providence I met her with my friend Mike Landrum @ Starbucks in the Northlake area of Charlotte.  Gwen has a contagious personality and I run into her quite often.   She has just written a book ... Read More

[Daily Herald] A local artist says the only way he can truly express himself is by legally changing his name to "In God We Trust." Yes. First name, "In God." Last name, "We Trust." School bus driver and amateur artist Steve Kreuscher of Zion will appear in a Lake County court June 13, hoping the judge will grant his request. "I want this with all my heart," says the 57-year-old father of four. Kreuscher, a Christian who gave up on organized religion 20 years ago, said the ... Read More

God has really been teaching me a lot about Grace. I've posted before how I believe churches do a good job of offering "Grace" at the moment of conversion but a poor job afterwards. It is like a "bait and switch" tactic. It is always interesting how God makes me learn from 1st hand experience. Sometimes I wish I could just read a book or go to a conference but it doesn't work that way. Recently I have ... Read More