The Hatfields and McCoys have been a part of American folklore since the turn of the twentieth century. These two families began a dispute in 1865 and continued fighting for over thirty five years. That should amaze you. It did me. These two families fought with each other longer than America fought in the Revolutionary War, The Civil War, World War I, World War II, The Vietnam War, and the current Afghan War combined. Those people really hated each other. The fighting started after one family served the Union Army and the other served the Confederate Army in the Civil War; for the next thirty years, anything was fodder for a fight. At one point the fighting escalated over a pig. Both families claimed the pig as their own and neither would relent. This is how I view the divide between science and religion. Continue reading
Just Thinking
Tid-bits and Trifles on Faith, Culture, and Church from Whitney Clayton
The Seven(ish) Days of Creation – What to Believe
One month ago I had the opportunity to hike into the Grand Canyon with my beautiful wife. It was awesome (I actually meant to use that word according to its actual definition)! It simply inspires awe as you behold something so expansive, stretching into the distance in all directions as far as the eye can see.
Science and Religion – Looking Under the Rock
Let’s talk basics about the debate before we jump into the deep end. Religion and science both make claims of truth. Absolute, hard evidence kind of truth. Not new age I think, I feel, I believe, me, me, me, me stuff. Truth. This is not a big problem. Everyone holds to truth. Everyone except for nihilists, who don’t get what all the fuss is about and want to just be left alone – utterly and completely alone.
So, because every person does believe in truth, claiming truth is obviously not a problem. The problems come when truths disagree. In our modern world, when there are competing truths, the average person gives precedence to science, because rationalism tells us that truth can be verified, tested, and explained (if not replicated). I would simply like to point out that science does not have the power to explain everything. In fact, I intend to point out that naturalism is forced to borrow beliefs from theism in order to support itself. To do so, let’s start at the beginning. Continue reading
Pivotal Truths for Young People: Read, Travel, and Connect
When is the last time you heard something that really changed you? As a young person I encountered multiple truths over the past 20 years that have truly changed my life. Most of these truths were given to me by men far greater than I am, and I want to pass them along to young people who may not have the opportunity to hear them.
These truths are pivotal in that they can help you swing from one manner of thinking and acting to another, and each of these represent a major shift in the way I approached my life at the time I received them. I am going to do a series of blog posts over the next few weeks explaining these truths in hopes that other young people will be changed by them as I was changed.
5 Reasons to Never Join a Small Group
I posted yesterday about 5 Reasons I think you should be in a small group. But, being a modern pastor in a culture of tolerance marked by absolute fear of absolutized anything I want to give space for those with legitimate reasons they should not join a small group. Because I am cool, I get where you’re coming from, and I certainly, by no means, under any circumstance would ever dare to suggest with the teeniest bit of conviction that any individual should feel compelled to do anything beyond talk about their faith. Never.
5 Reasons to Join a Small Group
We are in the midst of launching another season of small groups at my church, The Bridge. I am a very serious proponent of small groups in the life of a believer, so I want to give 5 off-the-cuff reasons you should join a small group in your local church.
Humility
This past weekend, I had the opportunity and privilege to lead a big, complex event that was a big success. In so doing, I was given a great gift from God – humility. Humility from the goodness of others when I did not deserve it.
I have been wanting to write about humility for a few months, but it is a tough topic to tackle. This past weekend I felt a kind of humility different than my normal experience and it prompted the thoughts below, which may be nearly indecipherable to anyone who has not experienced these two paths to humility.
6 Thoughts on Successful Church Events: encouragement for other leaders
This past weekend, I led a family conference at my church, The Bridge Community Church of Northern Kentucky. It was really successful. It was successful in attendance, execution, and accomplishment of stated goals. We put on an in house conference which served 142 adults and 100 kids. We had 60+ volunteers and 15 speakers who made this night possible. All told, almost half of our Sunday morning attendance was on campus for this event.
That is amazing. And I am proud of my leadership team, those who stepped up to serve, and those came out on a rough winter night to grow as the primary faith influencer of their children.
A few days past this event I want to offer 6 quick tips for successful church events. Continue reading
unHappy Anniversaries
Some Anniversaries are great. Marriage anniversaries. Birthdays. The start of the college football season. Some anniversaries are not so good. The death of a loved one. 9/11 or December 7th. Today.
Roe vs. Wade turns 41 today.
I have two kinda random thoughts on abortion, one concluding thought, and a number of good links to clarify your thinking.
Of Cupcakes and Christians
Last night I had a new heartbreaking experience as a father. I had to look my crying son in the face as I knowingly, and lovingly, broke his heart.
Just Thinking 