Category Archives: Faith

Losing our religion

Posted on September 30, 2016 by jim

A new study seeks to shed light on why people are leaving religion in the United States. From the summary, “The American religious landscape has undergone substantial changes in recent years. However, one of the most consequential shifts in American … Continue reading →

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Tim Kaine – A good and faithful servant

Posted on July 23, 2016 by jim

While he was Governor of Virginia, I interacted with Tim Kaine on many occasions. Here are a few personal reflections on the faith of Sen. Kaine, the Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States. After the Virginia Tech … Continue reading →

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Understanding Christians in Fowler’s Stages of Faith

Posted on June 29, 2016 by jim

Ask a seven year-old what it’s like to be 70. Get angry when a 16 year-old new driver doesn’t understand how to disassemble a car engine. Speak with a pair of 15-year-olds about the hermeneutic that informs their theology to … Continue reading →

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The world is too much with us

Posted on May 27, 2016 by jim

When I shared this on Facebook recently, this was one of the comments: “There were years when this was true for me – why that stopped is beyond me.” Considering a response, I was reminded of a poem by William … Continue reading →

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“Both Heaven and Hell”

Posted on May 22, 2016 by jim

(Another in my series chronicling my possible return to vocational ministry.) There’s a church nearby seeking a minister. In the search description, they’re looking for someone who: “Preaches a balance approach to salvation – both Heaven and Hell – it’s … Continue reading →

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Finding a sign

Posted on May 13, 2016 by jim

For sometime, I’ve been prayerfully, seriously considering returning to vocational ministry. My wife and I have talked about it a lot. Recently I specifically prayed to the Lord to show me a sign, to let me know this is the … Continue reading →

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Original sin

Posted on April 30, 2016 by jim

The idea of original sin really is original, it’s not in the Bible. It’s a concept conceived by Augustine of Hippo. Augustine’s original sin says that you’re born a sinner as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. … Continue reading →

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More about the Bible

Posted on April 22, 2016 by jim

I wrote about the Bible previously. So, this is a little more about the Bible. A great deal of energy is dedicated to the Bible. A collection of writings that didn’t exist in its current form for more than the … Continue reading →

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Risen – a movie review

Posted on April 2, 2016 by jim

I strongly recommend the movie Risen. According to distributor Sony Pictures Risen “follows the epic Biblical story of the resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius, are tasked … Continue reading →

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“Woman”

Posted on March 26, 2016 by jim

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the … Continue reading →

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There they crucified him

Posted on March 25, 2016 by jim

“So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either … Continue reading →

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American Jesus

Posted on March 19, 2016 by jim

The United States has the second highest obesity rate in the world. Despite easy access to proper nutritional information, healthy food and clean water, as a nation we remain committed to unhealthy, and ultimately deadly, behaviors and beliefs. As a … Continue reading →

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Henri Nouwen on comparing

Posted on February 1, 2016 by jim

“Much sadness and gladness in my life flows directly from my comparing, and most, if not all, of this comparing is useless and a terrible waste of time and energy.” – Henri Nouwen Continue reading →

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God in the world

Posted on January 16, 2016 by jim

Some Christians believe God in the world is only found here: Others see God in the world here: God is so much more. God is this: God is here. God is as delicate as butterfly wings. God is as soft … Continue reading →

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