Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. The story of the prodigal son has inspired hope in countless individuals as they have processed their religious experience. Most sermons have incorporated the passage to be primarily directed at Non-Christians, the lost, the unsaved. Some have included Christians who have wandered away from their faith and are desperate to return. They see the faith of...
Did you all see the article, “50 Reasons Why I Don’t Drink,” make its way around Facebook? Typically when I see stuff like this I just roll my eyes and carry on with my business. But for some unknown reason I decided to give this article a quick glance. Most of the points were predictable. Although this is the sort of article that really doesn’t warrant a response, I feel a little compelled to address...
If one member suffers, all suffer together; – 1 Corinthians 12:26 I’m going to be addressing an issue that I couldn’t possibly hope to fully articulate nor cover in a single post, so I’d like to ask for grace in that from all parties reading before I get started. What I do hope to address is the rather vitriolic nature that is brought out among the body when it is discussed, which is divisive in...
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). This past weekend, I went on a church retreat with Bethel English Church at Oak Glen Christian Conference Center. While I really enjoyed being away from the city, and out in nature, the messages during this retreat were also quite impactful to me. Our speaker talked about...
**UPDATE, June 9, 2016. The California Senate Appropriations Committee struck down SB-1888 (proposed by Assemblyman Evan Low), which was the primary legislative bill focused in the article below. However, SB-1146 has been approved by the Appropriations Committee and is moving forward for a vote in the California Senate. SB-1146 was authored by Assemblyman Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), an active supporter of the LGBT community. Further clarity is needed, but it appears that the self-disclosure regulations of the...
Sometimes, I really think I have narcolepsy. Sure, sometimes we joke that we must be the helpless victim to this disorder after our friends elbow you for hanging your head for a few minutes during the Sunday Message, or for closing your eyes during a lecture or a movie. But, when rolled down windows, loud music, pinching yourself, and jumping around in your sleep can hardly keep you from knocking out while driving on the...
People who know me or are even acquainted with me know that I worry—a lot—about almost everything. I become anxious over minor, insignificant matters. I overthink things. I often feel like things “just won’t work out” the way I hoped. Lots of people might be able to relate to this as they struggle with anxiety about their present situations or what the future might hold. Christians often struggle with anxiety over sin (issues of guilt,...
Computer generated illustration of two orbiting black holes emanating gravitational waves. (Image: Henze/NASA) Have you ever came across a news feed or article about something phenomenal and didn’t have a clue about it? You might begin to wonder whether or not you live under a rock or something… For me, one of the things that I found very fascinating (and over my head) was this news about gravitational waves. The fascinating part wasn’t necessarily the context,...
Whatever sung worship is, it is not just a matter of taste. I’ve heard a lot of metaphors for what worship may be. Here are five major paradigms: 1. Family dinner. Why do we do things a certain way? Because always have and always will. Traditions remind us that we’re not alone, but part of great family spanning space and time. I become a Franicevich by eating my great-grandma’s chocolate rum pudding. I become a Christian by singing...
“I don’t know,” said Gavin, feet on the dash, brow furrowed in thought, “college students just aren’t that hospitable.” Driving away from a youth theater performance of Singin’ in the Rain, we exchanged reflections on home-finding, transience, and living on a micro-budget. While hospitality may slip by the wayside, students do a lot of other important, hard work, looking forward to the day we’ll graduate, find work, and really make home. But I think hospitality...
Recent Comments