Deep Thoughts
UN-learn to RE-learn
“If you ask a kid, ‘Can you draw?’ They answer, ‘Yeah, of course. Where are the pens?’ But if you ask an adult, they often say ‘Oh, no. I can’t draw.’ or, ‘I can only draw stick men.’ Through this infrastructure that we call the school system, or just the social system, we’ve trained creativity…
Read MoreDisciples or Pharisees?
Christians tend to get a bum rap from outsiders. We hear it on all fronts that we are backwards, fanatical, deceived, hypocritical, bigoted or ignorant, or a number of other unsavory descriptions. Let me illustrate this point with a question: What do Mormons, atheists, liberal activists, and Muslims all have in common? Answer: They all…
Read MoreJohn the Baptist or Jesus?
Without putting down people who choose to do things for Lent (fasting, not eating meat, etc.), which is getting more and more popular in Protestant churches (borrowed from Catholicism), I really just want to challenge all Christians with this thought, “Are you more like John the Baptist or Jesus?” In other words, read this description from…
Read MoreFour Things I Choose Not To Think About Anymore
Here is a short list (with comical insight) I made after talking to my cable company. The list is basically four things I’m better off not trying to understand or think about. I hope you enjoy it! CELL PHONE BILLS: Well, thank you! You’re so nice. I get to keep my unused minutes & data now…
Read MoreShelter from the Storm
One time my Dad and I decided to walk home from the store while visiting my grandparents in southern Illinois. The lure of the walk was the beautiful green corn stalks, open farm land, and long country roads. Needless to say, about 30 minutes into the 2 hour walk we got caught in a harsh…
Read MoreFour Signs of Maturity
Check out these nuggets I’ve been pondering on this past year and see if it lines up with your experience in life- especially for those who are parents and/or growing in Christ! Self-Awareness: I know who I am and I know who I’m not- I shouldn’t need others to tell me. Self-Denial: I don’t have…
Read MoreWhat Makes the Devil Do What He Does?
Have you ever wondered what makes the Devil do what he does? Often times people will make excuses for their sinful actions by saying, “The Devil made me do it!” Despite this being a cheap excuse and a sad attempt of “blame shifting” from the time of Adam and Eve, it fails to consider the…
Read MoreMisery Loves Company, but Jesus Loves You More!
Recently Lauren Scienski, the pastoral elder over the single moms life group, wrote a compelling post on Facebook that got a great response. After reading it, I felt led to write a follow up comment to expand on her idea in the realm of my pastoral experience. I have reposted it here for future reference…
Read MoreMPI Sayings
Funny but true, I thought it would be good to make a list of the common things we say at MPI that might seem strange for outsiders. Check em’ out! MPI SAYINGS HEAVY REVY: Something that is going to blow your mind about God, short for “heavy revelation.” BOOM SHAKA LAKA: An expression of the…
Read MoreOne Thing
First, imagine with me that you had a picture frame that was in the shape of a triangle and that the last picture at the top was meant to represent the most important aspect of your life. What picture would you put in that frame? Next, what if you were going to paint the solar…
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