Author Archives: pastordavesimpson

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About pastordavesimpson

I'm an unexpected pastor. Why unexpected? Because no one is more surprised than me that I'm a pastor. See the "About" page on my blog for more info.

Famous Radio Host* Apologizes (*Not Who You Think)

Posted on March 9, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I’ve never understood the desire to publicly predict the end of the world.  What’s the payoff?  Either you’re wrong and look ridiculous, or you’re right and no one is around to offer their congratulations. Last year, Harold Camping put himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Keeping Abreast of Church Controversy

Posted on March 7, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

Maybe it’s because I’m a guy, but I didn’t even know breastfeeding in church was an issue. I was made aware of the concern by a post on Christianity Today’s Her.meneutics blog: “Breastfeeding in Church, and Other Petty Crimes”  by … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Pastors | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Ram Tough

Posted on March 5, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

Sometimes this Christian life stuff can be tough. Friday I was driving my daughter to school.  As usual, we were on the cusp of lateness.  The route is all winding back roads, lightly traveled but with two solid lines dividing the pavement … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Driving Home

Posted on March 2, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I didn’t know I was on my way back to church – and back to God – as I made the hour drive to Karen’s house.  I thought I was just going on a date, meeting the woman who I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

The Church Is Not Hogwarts – Conclusion: The Big Lie

Posted on February 29, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

The church is not Hogwarts, where we go to learn the right words to say when we want stuff or when we want something to happen. And I don’t want anyone to get that impression. When I pray in public, … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Pastors, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Church Is Not Hogwarts – Part One

Posted on February 27, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

(I was recently asked why I pray extemporaneously in church rather than reading prayers I or someone else have written beforehand.  Here’s my answer for Christians and non-Christians . . .) Speaking  of music on airplanes (which I did in … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Pastors, Prayer | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Unexpected Pastor’s Oscar Countdown

Posted on February 25, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I’m usually only posting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but today I saw the last of the 9 films nominated for Best Picture this year and I wanted to get this up before the Oscars Sunday night.   These are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Church Is Going to Crash!

Posted on February 24, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

“We’re going to crash,” said the man on my plane . . . For a long time, I rejected faith in stuff I thought was just  too stupid to believe.  But at 30,000 feet I strove to be a believer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Church, Prayer | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Confession BY the Church – Some Thoughts for Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 22, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

Most folks associate Ash Wednesday with individual confession and repentance.  But what about confession and repentance by the church? One of my favorite chapters in Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz (which I was happy to read has been made into a movie) takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Church | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Worst Kind of Medicine?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I wish I’d read the article in yesterday’s Washington Post before I preached yesterday.  I would’ve spent more time on the portion of my sermon that went something like this (I preached from notes not a manuscript therefore “something”): Sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, End of Life, Medicine | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments