• What Does the Bible say about the Vaccine?

    Let me start with a disclosure:  I have been vaccinated, and I encourage others to be vaccinated.  If you’re looking for an anti-vaccination statement, you won’t find it here.  I know that you can find many of my fellow evangelicals and conservatives who disagree with me.  But as I’ve said...

  • A Plea for Unity from a Frustrated Pastor

    I don’t want to overstate my frustration.  I’m not thinking about giving up on the ministry.  I’m not facing burnout.  I’m not mad at anyone.  I don’t plan on going on a rant.  And I’m not picking on Avondale Baptist Church.  Honestly, on this issue, we are better than most....

  • What Does The Bible Say About Minimum Wage?

    The Bible doesn’t directly say anything about the minimum wage.  It is a modern political issue. But the Bible does teach us to be fair to those who work for us.  For example, Deuteronomy 23:4 says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”  The teaching...

  • A Strong Warning

    I’m not sure when Christians in Arizona stopped fighting and began embracing legal and public gambling. Perhaps it started when Arizona voted to approve a lottery in November of 1980.  Perhaps it began in 1988 when Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to promote self-sufficiency and economic development for...

  • An Open Letter to Men

    Sexual harassment.  Flirtation.  Inappropriate touching.  Obscene comments.  Questionable remarks.  Improper advances.  Suggestive compliments.  The news has been full—repeatedly—of stories in which men in positions of power and leadership have treated women inappropriately.  Some of the stories detail conduct that can—and should—lead to criminal charges.  Some of the stories detail conduct...

  • Why I Don’t Endorse Candidates

    I’ve been inundated with questions from members and friends on, “Why didn’t you endorse a candidate last year?” and “Who did you vote for?”  To the frustration of many, I didn’t endorse a candidate or a party, nor have I announced who I voted for in the presidential, senatorial, and...

  • An Open Letter to Democrats

    Congratulations! Your party has won the presidency as well as control of the Senate and the House.  That puts a significant responsibility on your shoulders for leadership in our country.  And though I have many policy differences with you, I want you to know that my prayers are with you. ...

  • An Open Letter to the Candidates and the Nation

    On November 3, America will choose a President.  It may be our existing President Donald Trump elected to another 4-year term.  Or it may be that we elect former Vice-President Joe Biden to a term. I’m not good at making political predictions, so I won’t even make a guess.  What...

  • The Christian and Voting 2020

    I vote.  And I encourage you to vote.  But let me state right up front that I am not going to tell you who to vote for.  I don’t endorse candidates and I don’t endorse parties.  I know some pastors endorse candidates directly, and I know many more who do...

  • Politics For Believers

    We are now deep into election season, which seems to get longer every year.  It’s easy to get cranky and frustrated—and maybe even more than a little bit angry—during political season. As a matter of fact, candidates want us to get angry. They know that an angry person is more...