Orthopraxy Archives - Page 2 of 2

The Church Is Not a Community Center

December 8, 2012 2 Comments

I’ve lost about 20 pounds this year. I plan on losing more next year.

I lost weight as a direct result of my growth as a Christian. In youth group last spring we were talking about giving back to God because he gives so much to us and we asked, “What is something God gave us that we don’t always act thankful for?”

One girl said, “Our bodies.”

And like that I knew I had to take better care of my body. And so I do.

I’m telling you this story because I want to establish that I think that there isn’t a single part of life that isn’t influenced by our decision to follow God. Even the way we eat should be.

Calvin and Hobbes on War

December 3, 2012 Leave a comment

The Real War on Christmas

November 28, 2012 Leave a comment

It’s almost time for Christmas. I can tell because there are lights on my neighbors houses, it is a little colder outside, the meeting house has been decorated with trees and nativity scenes, they’re playing carols on the radio, and, most clearly, everyone is complaining about the phrase, “Happy Holidays.” I hear “Keep the Christ in Christmas” more than I hear “Merry Christmas” these days.

The Last Time I Voted

October 17, 2012 Leave a comment

In 2005 I stepped into a voting booth for the first time.

I cast my ballot in favor of Proposition 2, an amendment to the Texas Constitution making same-sex marriage and similar legal arrangements illegal.

Then I stepped out of a voting booth for the last time.

Guest Post – Micah Peacock: Thoughts on Worship

September 25, 2012 Leave a comment

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

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I’m fairly frequently asked, “But am I truly worshipping God if I can’t say with one hundred percent confidence that the words I’m singing are true of my life in the moment?”

Be Like the Father

September 24, 2012 Leave a comment

This is part 4 of a 4 part blog series. The first three posts can be read here, here, and here.

Jesus changed a lot of things. Everything really. One big thing he changed is the way we refer to God. With his instruction for us to pray to God as “Our Father” he drastically changed our view of who God is.

God had been called Father before. There are a few notable places in the Old Testament where he calls Israel his child or where he is called the Father of Israel. But these were metaphors, Jesus tells us to call him Father. Like, address him as Dad.

Resource: Genesis Family Tree

September 23, 2012 Leave a comment

This morning at Argonia Friends we began a 10 week series on Genesis. Genesis is a 50 chapter epic that follows the course of one family for 22 generations. To help keep the characters straight I created a family tree to share with the congregation. Since a lot of the people in this story end up being nations later (Moabites, Cannanites, Cushites) it’s helpful for reading the Old Testament.

You can get it here. Print it up and tuck it in your Bible to help you as you read.

You’re welcome to share it as well.

Why I Lead Worship (even though I can’t sing)

September 7, 2012 Leave a comment

For the last three semesters our Youth Group was blessed to have a student who was able and willing to lead us in worship through song. But, as happens in Youth Groups, she graduated leaving us with nobody currently willing to lead us. My wife asked me if I would be willing to lead a few songs each week. I am a poor guitar player and and even worse singer, but I agreed to do it. I did it because it is important and because it is necessary. But I also did it, despite my lack of musicianship, for three main reasons.

What to Do During Devotion Part 1, Suggested Reading

July 11, 2012 Leave a comment

Often people who are finding themselves unsure of what to do during a devotion time ask me for a few book recommendations to help them along. So, I’ve compiled a short list of a few books I believe every Christian should read. These books are all meditations by the authors themselves, which serves the double purpose of providing those of us reading them with a solid example of how to reflect on scripture and God’s presence.

Christians and the LGBT community-Alienating, Accepting, and Affirming

May 11, 2012 11 Comments

This week the video above of a North Carolina Pastor has gone viral and North Carolina passed an amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman. This has brought, once again, the issue of the church vs. the LGBT community to the very front of most people’s minds. What is the role of Christians when it comes to issues like this?

Wil Ramsey

Spiritual Formation in a Digital World

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