Life Sucks And Then You Die
Posted 12 years ago

Ever feel like you're working on your doctorate at Life Sucks University? Let’s be honest, sometimes life sucks. I have discovered that this is a fact that most Christians don’t like…

Life Sucks And Then You Die
Dear Christian, Don’t Do Your Best
Posted 10 years ago

I have a motto in life. It will sound strange and controversial. The motto is:

>Don't do your best.

I know! Right? The reality is, sometimes trying your best isn’t good…

Dear Christian, Don't Be A Mature Christian
Posted 11 years ago

I'm gonna say something that may rub some the wrong way. It's not necessarily positive or motivational at first read. Too bad. It's necessary.

I’ve been part of a lot of…

Dear Christian, Don’t Be A ‘Mature’ Christian
Dear Christian, Be A Servant
Posted 11 years ago

When I was getting my theology degree my studies had a pastoral emphasis. Among others, I had to read a book about servanthood. It had a cover of a guy…

Dear Christian, Be A Servant
Dear Christian, Be An Informed Citizen
Posted 11 years ago

So there has been presidential debates and a vice presidential debate. There will be an election in a couple weeks so it seems fitting to talk about this.

>We live in…

Dear Christian, Be An Informed Citizen
Dear Christian, Be a Reader
Posted 11 years ago

This one is going to sound like an after school special. Oh well.

I once read (ironically) that only 20% of the population actively and regularly reads. I’ll bet it’s less…

Dear Christian, Be a Reader
Aspire To Be More Than You Are
Posted 11 years ago

The nerd alert is about to go off big time. One of favorite Star Trek characters is Data. If you don’t know, he is a synthetic life form—a robot. (What…

Aspire To Be More Than You Are
The Danger Of Anger
Posted 11 years ago

I get angry. From a very young age, I have a life that has always been surrounded by tension. Frustration is fused in my DNA.

I’m not like a lot of…

The Danger Of Anger
No, All Sins Are NOT Equal Or The Same
Posted 11 years ago

You probably have heard that all sin is equal in the eyes of God or that He weighs every sin the same. Christians like to say this to make themselves…

No, All Sins Are NOT Equal Or The Same
The Existence Of Evil Is Actually Evidence Of God’s True Goodness
Posted 11 years ago

What if I told you the existence of evil is actually evidence of God's true goodness. Sound outrageous? It is, but it's true. Imagine if we could keep that mind…

The Existence Of Evil Is Actually Evidence Of…
Reconciling God & Why Bad Stuff Happens
Posted 11 years ago

So would you believe me if I said that the existence of evil is actually evidence that God is good? First, let me discuss why bad stuff happens...

I've been talking…

Reconciling God & Why Bad Stuff Happens
God is Good, but…
Posted 11 years ago

So why does God let bad stuff happen?

I’ve laid out a lot of emotions that I sift through to get back and eventually accept that God is good, and the consequences if…

God is Good, but…
So What About Gay Marriage?
Posted 11 years ago

Did you know that Chick-Fil-A serves hate-chicken? That's what some would have you believe since the owner was asked (at the very end of a long interview) about the long-established…

So What About Gay Marriage?
Good, God, & Evil
Posted 11 years ago

This is a week that many people are wondering: Is God good? It's natural when there is death and tragedy. It makes us ask:

If there is a God, and He…

Good, God, & Evil
Anger Management
Posted 11 years ago

Last week I talked about getting Good & Mad at God. It's not something to be proud of, but it's not something to ignore. It happens so we have to…

Anger Management
Good & Mad…at God?
Posted 11 years ago

There’s an old song I know called What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor? It was one of the many songs my dad and his friends would belt out…

Good & Mad…at God?
Let's Make A Deal, God
Posted 11 years ago

*Last week I started this subject with part 1:If God Is Good, Then He Will.... Today is part 2 of 2.

I don't know why. I just do.

>Every once in a while,…

Let’s Make A Deal, God
If God Is Good, Then He Will…
Posted 11 years ago

Recently I've written God Isn't Good and God Still Isn't Good. In these I discuss the dilemma of understanding the goodness of God. Since this is such a HUGE topic, I'm…

If God Is Good, Then He Will…
God Still Isn't Good
Posted 11 years ago

*Last week I started this subject with part 1:God Isn't Good. Today is part 2 of 2.

Over the last few years, my wife and I have developed a friendship with a…

God Isn't Good
Posted 11 years ago

*This is part 1 of 2. You can read part 2 here. 

God isn’t good. There, I said it. That’s what I’ve been thinking too many times at pivotal points throughout…

Dear Christian, Persevere
Posted 11 years ago

I was once asked, since I have been attempting to follow the teachings of Jesus for over 25 years now, what were the most important characteristics of my faith? I…

Dear Christian, Persevere
Dear Christian, Don’t Be A ‘Christian’
Posted 11 years ago

*Below is an excerpt from my book 10 Things I Hate About Christianity: Working Through the Frustrations of Faith. I thought this would be good due to my involvement with…

Dear Christian, Don’t Be A ‘Christian’
Don’t Be Spiritual, Christian
Posted 11 years ago

Everyone, religious or not, Christian or not, likes to be known as spiritual.
Sometimes it’ll go something like, “I don’t believe in organized religion, but I am very a spiritual person.”…

Christianity Is Harder Than You Think
Posted 11 years ago

If I were cheesy, I’d make a t-shirt with the phrase Christianity is harder than you think.

Nothing is truer.

>If you are doing Christianity correctly—if you’re taking it seriously and really…

Christianity Is Harder Than You Think
Be Teachable, Christian
Posted 11 years ago

Being teachable seems obvious but it is very difficult. The older you get, the more you experience and learn in life. Hopefully, as you grow in knowledge you increase in…

Be Teachable, Christian
Like It Or Not, Going To Church Matters
Posted 11 years ago

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard something like this, “I don’t have to go to church in order to be ‘saved.’” Many people hate going to church…

Like It Or Not, Going To Church Matters
Let It Go, Christian
Posted 11 years ago

Have you ever helped someone move? It’s a dreaded call to get. And if you have a truck, you get it all the time.
When helping someone move, everyone avoids the…

Let It Go, Christian
Just Give.
Posted 11 years ago

It has been said that the most sensitive nerve in the body is the one connected to your wallet.
>Giving away your hard-earned money isn’t easy, but it is necessary.
Now, I’m…

Just Give.
Fill YOURSELF With Passion, Christian
Posted 11 years ago

I was listening to a song the other day that chorused with a prayer to God that went something like, “Fill us with passion for you…” On it went in…

Fill YOURSELF With Passion, Christian
Christianity Isn't And Never Will Be Cool
Posted 11 years ago

It's a cold hard truth. There were many times in over the 25 years of my faith that I thought it wasn't true. I dressed differently, talked differently, listened to…

Horror, Heroes, & Hell
Posted 11 years ago

This weekend I saw a dark comedy slasher flick and it got me thinking about Hell. (Incidentally, it was called Tucker and Dale vs. Evil and it was hilarious. I…

Horror, Heroes, & Hell
Be Careful Of Causes, Christian
Posted 11 years ago

We all have interests. Good ones. Bad ones. I’m talking about the good ones.
Eventually at least one interest in our lives will grow into a hobby. No worries there. In…

Be Careful Of Causes, Christian
Wrong Is Fun!
Posted 11 years ago

Earlier this week I posted Rules, Rules, Rules in which I discussed rules, Christianity, and the Bible. So let's assume we've gone to the Bible and looked through all the…

Wrong Is Fun!
Rules, Rules, Rules
Posted 11 years ago

I’ve concluded there are two types of people in this world. There are the goody-two-shoes who like rules and take great pride in creating and obeying them. And there are…

Rules, Rules, Rules
The Unpopular Jesus
Posted 12 years ago

We all know the popular Jesus—the one who said so many generous, patient, tolerant, and graceful things. Everyone loves the popular Jesus. Everyone likes to quote him in speeches to…

The Unpopular Jesus
Faith, Doubt, and Truth
Posted 12 years ago

In light of the very interesting Atheist 10 Commandments by Pen Jillette, the taller half of the noted magic duo Pen and Teller, that I posted about, I wanted to talk…

Faith, Doubt, and Truth
Can You Hear Me Now, God?
Posted 12 years ago

Everybody knows long distance relationships (LDRs) usually don’t work. The love interest you had in the Niagara Falls area probably isn’t the person you married and had kids with. The…

Can You Hear Me Now, God?
The Happiness Trap
Posted 12 years ago

*This is taken from my next book. Please tell me what you think.

When life’s already hard, I’ve realized I have a way of making it even harder.

I once saw a…

The Happiness Trap
Does Jesus Really Matter?
Posted 12 years ago

There's been a lot of talk of Heaven, Hell, and everything in between. As of late--and this is nothing new--many popular Christian leaders are challenging mainstream Christianity's understanding of these…

Does Jesus Really Matter?
Weird Zone Christianity
Posted 12 years ago

There are a few elements of Christianity that often get avoided. For obvious reasons, we don't like talking about some strange areas and elements of our faith. Perhaps, rightly so. I…

Weird Zone Christianity
Good Without God?
Posted 12 years ago

See this ad? What do you think? It's from an atheist group called Central Arkansas Coalition of Reason (Central Arkansas CoR), which is affiliated with the national group UnitedCoR, and they…

Good Without God?
Living With Faith Is Easier Said Than Done
Posted 12 years ago

In many ways, living with faith is an odd life-choice. So why am I a follower of Jesus Christ? Good question.

As difficult, confusing, and frustrating as my faith decision has…

Living With Faith Is Easier Said Than Done
Lose Your Religion, Christian
Posted 12 years ago

I have an exercise for those that call themselves Christians (that's me too). It won't be easy. But it's exactly the kind of thing we need these days, since the…

Lose Your Religion, Christian
The Idiot Genius Contradiction
Posted 12 years ago

In my life I have had many conversations with people who don't believe in God. Believe it or not, I welcome them. This does not scare me. This does not…

The Idiot Genius Contradiction
How Could A Loving God Create Hell?
Posted 12 years ago

Hell again? Yes, I find these questions fascinating. LIke when I discussed how a person ends up in Hell. Or when I dissected Rob Bell's answer to this in his…

The Two Paths Of Enlightenment
Posted 12 years ago

How do you define enlightenment? What is it? What is the purpose?

My layman's working definitions of enlightenment is: seeking truth.

Simple enough, right? Not really.

You see, there are two paths,…

The Two Paths Of Enlightenment
The Lie Of Love
Posted 12 years ago

One of the hardest lesson's I've had to learn is the lie about love. Sound strange? It is.

Our culture’s literature, movies, poems, songs, and the like constantly reinforce our self-love.…

The Lie Of Love
The Dilemma And Confusion Of Forgiveness
Posted 12 years ago

Following Jesus is all about understanding and exercising forgiveness. But, to be honest, forgiveness kind of confuses me.

First, it’s not a one-time thing. It has to be a mindset. It has…

The Dilemma And Confusion Of Forgiveness
Heaven, Hell, And How Do You Get There?
Posted 12 years ago

If you believe in the idea of Heaven or Hell in the Christian context, you probably have one of two views on how a person ends up at one or…

Heaven, Hell, And How Do You Get There?
Zombie Obsession
Posted 12 years ago

I have a confession to make. I’m a little ashamed about it, too. I don't know if you saw the new show Walking Dead on AMC, but it was really really…

Zombie Obsession
The Evolution of Faith
Posted 12 years ago

WARNING: Today I'm going to get a little 'religious.'

To me, it is sadder than sad when an individual walks away from God. Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurence. How…

The Evolution of Faith
When Pleasures Tempt You To Stray, Will You Give In? Just Once?
Posted 12 years ago

This is a zero humor day again. What I am about to share is one of a handful of the most important things I have learned in my life–more specifically,…

When Pleasures Tempt You To Stray, Will You G…
When Life Crushes You With Pain, What Will You Do?
Posted 12 years ago

I'm about to get serious, real serious. There's zero humor today. And you are either going to get what I say or not. There will be no middle ground. What…

When Life Crushes You With Pain, What Will Yo…
An Unauthorized Approach To Christianity
Posted 13 years ago

Most people have a healthy dislike of pretense, hidden agendas, moral compromise, and philosophical contradictions. The challenge is how to turn this tension into something positive and productive. I am…

An Unauthorized Approach To Christianity
Why Was Jesus So Darn Offensive?
Posted 13 years ago

A little while ago I talked about Jesus being the most judgmental person ever. Now I want to talk about something else that may seem counter intuitive.

Jesus= gentle, meek, and…

Why Was Jesus So Darn Offensive?
Forget About Greed, It's All About Envy
Posted 13 years ago

A couple weeks ago I talked about greed. Among other things, I said politicians and news pundits tell us the economy has tanked and the world is in financial crisis…

Forget About Greed, It’s All About Envy
Greed Is Not Good
Posted 13 years ago

Remember that famous line from Gordon Gekko in that old and amazing movie Wall Street (sequel coming soon)?

Greed is good!

So let's talk about greed for a moment. Politicians and news…

Greed Is Not Good
Is Jesus The Only Way?
Posted 13 years ago

Recently I discussed some interactions during some radio interviews regarding Hell and homosexuality. In both of them I mentioned one of may favorite statements by Jesus. It is:

"I am the…

Is Jesus The Only Way?
Why Was Jesus So Judgmental?
Posted 13 years ago

Did you know that Jesus Christ was one of the most judgmental people ever, maybe even the most?

What?

That's right. You heard me right.

Mostly, Jesus is framed as gentle, mild, and…

Why Was Jesus So Judgmental?
Will Homosexuality Keep You Out of Heaven?
Posted 13 years ago

So I was doing a radio interview recently. Again, due to the title of my book, it was not a Christian show, station, or host (that I know of). The…

Will Homosexuality Keep You Out of Heaven?
Do Secular Humanists Have Morals?
Posted 13 years ago

The short answer is yes. Of course. But lets talk about the layers of this question.

So I was doing radio interview. In one segment, the host had on a secular…

Do Secular Humanists Have Morals?
Is There A Real Hell?
Posted 13 years ago

I was doing a radio interview recently. It wasn't a Christian radio show. My book has given me the opportunity to talk about my faith in front of audiences that…

Is There A Real Hell?
Michelle Obama Said "No" Too
Posted 14 years ago

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned how I recently struck up a friendship with Mark Hughes, author of Buzzmarketing. He asked me how he could help me. I said…

Michelle Obama Said “No” To Me
No Love From Bill Clinton
Posted 14 years ago

I recently struck up a friendship with Mark Hughes, author of Buzzmarketing. He asked me how he could help. I said that I felt I really needed a one-line endorsement…

Bill Clinton Rejected Me
PreviousNext

WHAT’S NEW?

Who’s going to Hell? Why do bad things happen to good people? Does praying work? Are miracles even happening today?

Why not leave the same old boring fluff in the dust and try something new?

[AVAILABLE HERE FOR FREE!]

Based on the #1 book featured on ABC News and described as “fascinating and rather risky,” the official 10 Things I Hate About Christianity Discussion Guide is the premiere tool for small groups, college classes, reading clubs, or Bible studies looking to talk about something out-of-the-ordinary. Geared to help all types of people explore and work through the frustrations of faith, it is an excellent resource for the spiritually curious, new followers of Jesus, and seasoned Christians struggling with disillusionment.
This 10-week discussion guide contains 10 talking points for each week, introductory tips before you start, and helpful hints and background information on each week. Along with the book, this insider information is meant to assist any facilitator (at any level of experience) focus the group toward the desired dynamic–ranging from the very conversational to the more studious.

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ALSO AVAILABLE:

The #1 book that was featured on ABC News and described as “fascinating and rather risky,” 10 Things I Hate About Christianity: Working Through the Frustrations of Faith is geared to help all types of people explore and work through the frustrations of faith.

It is an excellent resource for the spiritually curious, new followers of Jesus, and seasoned Christians struggling with disillusionment.

[AVAILABLE HERE]

Includes subjects like:

  • Faith
  • Prayer
  • The Bible
  • Sin
  • Rules
  • Love
  • Hell
  • Answers (to difficult questions)
  • Church
  • Christians
  • The Problem of Evil and Suffering
  • Pluralism and Relativism
  • Premarital Sex
  • Homosexuality

From the back cover:

Hate: (n) a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action*

My dad never let me use the word hate. He said it sounded too violent. But it was often the only accurate description of how I felt. Part of me understood, but another part of me rebelled.

We can all feel hate. Even in the good, productive, and meaningful aspects of life, there’s frequently a level of frustration that overwhelms us when we are faced with trying to achieve certain goals–like getting in shape, making the grade, or straightening out our finances.

This is where I got stuck in my spirituality. Within these pages are the 10 things I’ve hated about Christianity over the years and how I’ve worked through my frustrations. I call it the intersection of real life, simple faith, and raw emotion.

And I am confident it can help in your own spiritual journey.

*WordNet® Princeton University lexical database for the English language

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