(Just for fun, slipped in between the spiritual warfare posts, and a week earlier than normal.) You know those songs that you always have to play as loud as possible, and even louder if you could? I've got some of those. [To name only five, there's Numb from U2 and Chlorine, Downstairs, Choker , and Jumpsuit from Twenty One Pilots, my newest musical addiction.] And the only place I can play them as loud as I want is when I'm driving alone in the car. That's MY time. An introvert's dream vacation. I can play my music as loud as I want and sing along... and there's no one to interrupt or complain. Which reminds me: You parents know what we're supposed to do when kids complain about our music, right? Yeah, that's right: TURN IT UP EVEN LOUDER! The ironic part is that they used to complain about me singing "Ice, Ice, Baby" which I know every word of, but now my 3rd son knows every word and sings along too... ... an...
Before I get to the list of my "sword of the Spirit" verses, here's a list I shared with my struggling family member of some of my favorite songs to get through the hard times, the ones that encourage me and make me cry in a good way, in a needed way. (Sometimes anxiety is a sign that we need a good, long cry.) When you have no energy left to even pray, let the worship songs from other people be your prayers: From The City Harmonic: "Oh, What Love" , "Fell Apart" , "Honestly" , "Praise the Lord" , "Love, Heal Me," "My God," and "Here and There." ( Their music is what kept me from giving up completely when I was at my lowest. Let their words be your prayers, your heart's cry, when you have no words of your own left.) From Tenth Avenue North: "Worn" , "Hold My Heart" , "By Your Side" , and "Healing Begins" . From Jeremy Riddle: ...
It's so sad to hear about all the celebrities who have recently committed suicide (or about anyone who has committed suicide, for that matter). My heart breaks for them, for the pain they went through, and for the ones who love them, for the pain they are now going through. It is truly a tragedy. To anyone who is hurting really badly, who is struggling with overwhelming anxiety or depression, who is considering taking their own lives ... I dedicate this post. Please, take some time to look through some of the links here. This is a round-up of some on-line resources or posts about dealing with anxiety or depression, particularly as a Christian. But first: Quick tips for help: If you are desperate for some immediate help and don't want to look through the links I have below, try some of these (or if it's really bad and you're afraid you might hurt yourself, call 911 or go to the emergency room): 1. Put on a worship song right now. Or sing a...
It's so sad to hear about all the celebrities who have recently committed suicide (or about anyone who has committed suicide, for that matter). My heart breaks for them, for the pain they went through, and for the ones who love them, for the pain they are now going through. It is truly a tragedy. To anyone who is hurting really badly, who is struggling with overwhelming anxiety or depression, who is considering taking their own lives ... I dedicate this post. Please, take some time to look through some of the links here. This is a round-up of some on-line resources or posts about dealing with anxiety or depression, particularly as a Christian. But first: Quick tips for help: If you are desperate for some immediate help and don't want to look through the links I have below, try some of these (or if it's really bad and you think you might hurt yourself, call 911 or go to the emergency room): 1. Put on a worship song right now. Or sin...
[I intended to do a post like this later in a Spiritual Warfare series, but since it's relevant right now to someone I know ... and since it's been so long since I've added to this series... I'll publish it now. Previous posts in this series are "My Story" ... "Be strong in the Lord" ... Spiritual Warfare sermons by Tony Evans ... "Stay on the Path" ... "Underestimating ourselves/overestimating Satan" ... "Overestimating ourselves/underestimating Satan" ... #1 Satan's Schemes (unbelief, sin, fear) ... #2 (fear, psychics, prayer) ... #3 (vulnerable in good times) ... Spiritual Warfare: Resources ... #4 (vulnerable in bad times )... #5 (innocence, naivete) ... #6 (half-truths) ... #7 (bad theology) ... #8 (deserts) ... #9 (bitterness, unforgiveness) ... and (for fun) "Scariest Halloween decoration ever?" I'll break this post up into several parts over the next several weeks. Much of these posts wil...
Everyone should watch this 26-minute video: Plandemic Part 1 by Dr. Mikovits . (FYI: I watched this video yesterday on a different YouTube link. It had something like a million views. And it's already been removed today. Big surprise! This is why I watched it right away and wrote up a short summary of my thoughts on it. Because I figured it would be silenced! So watch it soon, before this is removed too.) A friend found it yesterday and shared it with me. While it’s scary stuff, it didn’t shock me because it coincides with what I’ve already thought about this whole virus situation, among other things: ... That there’s something fishy about it and it’s not natural … ... That there are unhealthy and dangerous connections between Bill Gates and Dr. Fauci and government health agencies (CDC, FDA, WHO, etc.), among others … ... That there are shady coronavirus reporting practices in the hospitals, such as financial incentives for doctors ...
WAY TO GO, Christ Pratt!!! The best thing I've heard coming out of Hollywood in a long time. I applaud your boldness and your faithfulness! Thank you and God bless you!
This is the last post in the series that's loosely based on this 14-minute video from Alana L.: 5 Signs Your Loved One is Becoming a Calvinist . Point #6 , added to the end of her video (Update: I totally redid Points #5 and #6 on my other blog, but instead of changing the already-published posts on this blog, I am adding them after this series as it is. Look under the Alana L. label for the "updated" versions of these posts, numbered 5K-6Y, plus Z/Conclusion. They'll be published between December 2025 and Summer 2026.): M . At the end, Alana points out how you can recognize a Calvinist by how they constantly refer to themselves as depraved, wretched, worthless, etc. Calvinists are taught to see themselves this way as a way of being humble, of honoring God and His "sovereignty." It is drilled into their heads repeatedly. From my ex-pastor's February 1, 2015 sermon on unbelief: "Why would people rejec...
Some of my thoughts and research on Calvinism (Why I believe it's not Scriptural!): Why is Calvinism So Dangerous? If Calvinism is true, then God is a liar! What's The Best Way To Make People Agree With Your Calvinist Views? Letter To Our Elders Regarding Calvinism Growing In Our Church Acts 13:48: Not As "Predestination" As It Sounds Sovereignty and Free-Will Working Together Anti-Calvinism Memes and Links Why Is It So Hard For Calvinists To Get Free From Calvinism? Can You Lose Your Salvation? Problems in John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion Are We Only Here For God's Glory? What About God's Love? So Job was a dimwit, huh? "Defend Your Calvinism" Challenge More Anti-Calvinism Memes. Just for fun! Some of John Calvin's Contradicting Nonsense! How to tell if a Church, Pastor, or Website is Calvinist (extended version) and the (simplified version) You know what happens when you assume things! A look at John Calvin...
(I recently fixed the broken links as well as I could, had to switch some out for others) Tony Evans is my all-time favorite pastor. He always gives messages that convict, challenge, and comfort. Here are some sermons that I have listened to or am going to listen to. For more, simply go to his website by clicking here . There are so many great ones to choose from. You can't go wrong with any video of his. I found him to be the most biblically-accurate preacher (especially as I researched Calvinism and found out how wrong it is), who is also great at helping us practically apply God's truths to life. Reversing Anxiety Consequences Keeping the faith when life gets hard Trusting God in a storm How to have strength in your struggles How to overcome your worry How to Get Your Prayers Answered Trusting The God You Believe In God knows what He is doing How the enemy tries to distract you from God's plan Grab your sword The Secret to Powerful Prayer Spiritual W...