Defining Evangelical

http://rachelheldevans.com/evangelical-means-to-me

I would tend to agree with much of what Rachel Held Evans says here about what the label "evangelical" means and doesn't mean. While I identify with this label for myself, I don't broadcast that to people outside of evangelicalism because the larger world seems to have a misconception about evangelicals. They believe that we are all narrow minded, Republican voting, gay-bashing, CCM listening people drinking cafe mocha's (but not in Starbucks because they support gay marriage) with our John MacArthur Study Bible opened to Romans 9-11. That certainly doesn't characterize me...for the record I don't have a problem with CCM, Republicans (I am one), John MacArthur or Starbucks for that matter.

Grief

It's strange the way grief hits you in waves. For much of the last 4 months since my Dad passed I have been so busy with my family and ministry to think much about the reality of losing him. It has probably helped that it wasn't abnormal to go several weeks in between phone calls and several months in between visits. So the trip to Guntersville this weekend was more difficult than I thought it would be.

Raw emotions, raw emotions, and more raw emotions...

I had changed out some CDs in my car before we left so that I would have some that were in the car with us for the trip. One that I had in the changer when I got back was Springsteen's Greatest Hits. The song Badlands has stuck in my head in a different way today with these lines,

I believe in the love that you gave me

I believe in the faith that could save me

I believe in the hope and I pray that someday it may raise me above these badlands...

If I had to express my thoughts on grief, suffering, and death it would be Badlands, a place of desperation, desolation, and in once sense hopelessness. As Christians of course, our hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, however that hope does NOT take away the feelings of pain and despair that accompany the loss of someone you love. But the lyrics are reminders that some day we will rise above these "badlands" and that the full power of the resurrection will be known to all of God's children who may mourn for tonight but trust that tomorrow will be a new day.

 

 

Election Humor

A Prayer for Wednesday

I Need Thee Every Hour

1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

Chorus: I need Thee, O I need Thee;

O I need Thee every hour;

I need you Lord, O bless me now,

My Savior, I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain

I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill
I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill

C.S. Lewis on the Death of Christ

“The central Christian belief is that Christ’s death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. “ C.S. Lewis

Lewis goes on to explain that different theories of understanding the death of Christ aren't necessary to grasp the gospel or rather to have the truth of the gospel grasp us...depending on your theological perspective. It is enough to know that the death of Christ has put us to rights with God, exactly how that happens is better left up to God. 

Jars of Clay

Seeing Things for the First Time

A recent sermon from a few weeks ago. I started a new component called "the Pagliarullo Chronicles" and worked a subtle nod to The Black Crowes with the sermon title.

2012 08 12am from Trip McAlhany on Vimeo.