Why I Won’t Marry Randoms
I’m not really a pastor. The Free Methodists aren’t into the idea of giving me the title of ‘ordained minister’ due to a few theological differences as of right now. But being part of a…
The CAESURA LETTERS
Back in the day I met a guy who was planting a church in London, Ontario called Presence named James Shelley. Ever since I’ve been following his work and his brain. Lately he’s been working…
The False Teachers: Tim Challies
Update: Challies describes what false teachers are and I’m pretty certain he fits the bill. Challies has a series right now called The False Teacher series. It’s getting quite ridiculous at this point, and it’s…
A Parable About A Rich Man And His Many Wives
There once was a rich man who would travel around his country. He would bring with him his servants and food and family and setup camp along rivers and lakes. Each night he would wander…
A Sermon on Violence, the Old Testament, Jesus and Why They Aren’t Compatible
This is a sermon that I spoke at church this past week. I was somewhat excited to give this sermon and yet at the same time was dreading every minute of it. This is such…
Why World Vision Made Two Smart Decisions
Think about it. Smart Decision #1 World Vision makes a decision to be more in line with the gospel by removing the barriers of employment of their organization. This decision basically said they recognize that…
Is God Just A Violent Partner That We Make Excuses For?
There has been lots of conversation lately in my circles about the violence in the Bible stemming from our 1 year series in 1-2 Samuel. All excellent conversation. Last night while speaking with Kevin and…
Rich People Hate Poor People Because They Hate Their Own Decisions
Every once in a while I get into these ridiculous conversations with people who tend to ramble on with their ignorant comments about poor people. You know the kind of comments. Why don’t they just…
Costa Rica
theStory sent a team to Costa Rica to work with Christ for the City in a small area called Tirrases with Horacio & Esther Lopez. It was a great experience and the team learned a…
Court Decides that Sarnia Can Shut Down Church-Run Volunteer-Supported Shelter
I received this in an e-mail from George Esser today. It really is sad that despite River City doing the right thing and improving the lives of people that a bi-law would still override compassion….
All Theology Is Relative
Here is my train of thought on this one. 1. Issues of theology – hermeneutics, interpretation, christology, ecclesiology – are all issues of faith. This means that only people who subscribe to a particular kind…
Can Our Future Really Change Even Though Our Past Cannot?
As I meet different people I am becoming more and more certain of the kind of life that I want mine to become. I am always far from being the kind of person that I…
Church Practices – Music
Other Practices The last week of every month at theStory we are discussing the practices we do together as a community. We are trying to give some substance to why we do the things we…
Church Practices – Eucharist
Other Practices The last week of every month at theStory we are discussing the practices we do together as a community. We are trying to give some substance to why we do the things we…
Church Practices – Potlucks
The last week of every month at theStory we are discussing the practices we do together as a community. We are trying to give some substance to why we do the things we do. We…
Church Practices – Rules of Dialogue
Other Practices The last week of every month at theStory we are discussing the practices we do together as a community. We are trying to give some substance to why we do the things we…
Can We Really Assume God’s Action Every Time Something Good Happens To Us? A Sermon on 1 Samuel 23-24
This morning we tackle chapter 23-24. David has been fleeing from Saul in every direction and Saul has been making quite a mess in his tracks. So Saul just finished having his right hand man…
Religion Bridges Science and Art
“If science is the commitment to know the world objectively and art the means of expressing oneself subjectively, religion was and is a bridge between subject and object, a way of making meaningful connection between…
Consumerism, Property, Ownership, Community and the Eucharist
The link between property and freedom is a crucial one. Free-market advocates tend to be agnostic on the question of ownership: barring external interference, an exchange is formally free even if the only thing a…
Prophecies Come True and The City Of Priests Are Dead: A Sermon on 1 Samuel 21-22
It was a long time ago, so let’s read this little bit of 1 Samuel 2. So this comes up and God speaks to Eli basically cursing him because of the evil of his sons….