Category Archives: Christianity

If Martin Luther Was on Facebook . . .

Posted on October 31, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

A local church’s lawn sign states: “What Do I Have To Do To Be Saved? – Nothing”.  Really – nothing?!!!! That was a Facebook post by a friend and parishioner that showed up in my feed and kicked off a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Martin Luther, Questions | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Hello, Friend

Posted on October 2, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

Monday afternoon as we left the hospital I was angry.  I was angry that my daughter had to endure another infusion treatment for her Crohn’s Disease – 4 hours hooked up to an IV of God knows what chemicals.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Parenting, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

How to be a Christian without being a jerk about it

Posted on September 27, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

I have blogged about many of the points Elizabeth Rawlings makes below, but she writes  an excellent summation of “How to be a Christian Without Being a Jerk About It” that I wanted to share. I think it’s excellent, anyway. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Christian Living, Christianity | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Just War, Syria, and the Ethics of Doing Nothing

Posted on August 30, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

Have you ever done something just because a situation seemed to demand, “Do something!”? How did that work out for you? In my experience, not very well. Before I was a pastor, I worked with young people in trouble and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Do I HAVE To? (No!)

Posted on August 26, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

I was talking with someone about universal salvation.  As I’ve said and written before, the idea that everyone gets saved at The End appeals to me, but I don’t think that’s what the Bible as a whole teaches.  If I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Jesus Fish Evolution

Posted on August 8, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

For a few years, a betta fish lived in a bowl on my church office desk.  (“Betta than what fish?” the punsters reading will ask. But I will ignore them for now.)  As a pastor who had to learn New … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith and Science | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

“That Sucks!”

Posted on July 30, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

Here are two words that I have come to believe can be powerful in expressing empathy: That sucks! (“That sucks!” can of course be moderated depending upon the recipient.  “That stinks!” or, “That’s awful!” or, “I can’t imagine!” or, “That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Pastors | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

My Neighbor, Trayvon. My Neighbor, George.

Posted on July 18, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

When the expert on the law asked Jesus “Who is my neighbor,” the lawyer’s intent was to limit his responsibility.  Surely his neighbors were only people just like him.  But Jesus answered not with a definition but with a parable, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Racism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Too Smart for God – The Bumper Sticker Version

Posted on July 5, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

It’s always seemed kind of presumptuous to tell folks I’m working on a book.  I’ve gotten a little more comfortable with it lately  Partly that’s because I’ve felt more entitled  since I’ve started needing three digits to write the page … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Too Smart for God, Writing | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Marriage Needs to Be Protected . . . From People Like Me

Posted on July 2, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

Hey fellow Christians, where’s the outcry?  Yesterday a law took effect – in southern-state Virginia, of all places – that is a threat to the very idea of marriage.  And it’s not about same-sex marriage.  As of July 1, people … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Homosexuality | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments