To my Christian brothers and sisters on both sides of the Gay Marriage debate

Believe it or not there are passionate followers of Jesus on both sides of this argument.  It is essential that we understand that or there can be no dialogue and we are headed as a church family for another divorce.  This is not a central issue of the faith but it has become a divisive one that is tearing people apart.  Wherever you are on the spectrum I respect your position but hope that there is also some room for examination and reflection.  Without that space we cannot find common ground.

What do your itching ears really want to hear?

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  - 2 Timothy 4:3

[Jesus] taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him.  But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said. - Luke 19:47-48

Every few months 2 Timothy 4:3 becomes a trending topic on Twitter.  It usually coincides with a pastor or teacher making a statement that another pastor or teacher disagrees with.  Usually the statement has to do with homosexuality or who is getting into heaven or the double whammy of whether or not homosexuals get into heaven.  That is not really the subject of this post.  This post is more concerned about how we use this verse and verses like it to shore up our position and in essence become the people who “gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

6 Ways to Honor Saint Patrick on Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is upon us and while it may be fun to wear green and pinch drunken strangers here are some ways to honor the saint that might actually honor the saint ;)

1. Spend time with Family and Friends (preferably sober):  While St. Patrick’s Day here in the States has devolved into “hey lets drink green beer” day it is important to remember that in Ireland it is closer in feel to Thanksgiving than Mardi Gras.  During Patrick’s day clan and kin were very important.  To celebrate this year take some time to honor your friends and family.  Strengthen your bonds of kinship and do not let your love grow cold.