Category Archives: Christianity

A Pastoral Letter to an Abused Woman (Repost)

Posted on September 12, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

(I first posted this over two years ago. With the recent attention to Domestic Violence, I thought it was appropriate to repost.  The church should certainly be speaking to issues such as this.  As I say at the end, it was … Continue reading →

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Convert Them or Kill Them!

Posted on September 10, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

On Sean Hannity’s Fox “News” show the other night, they were talking about ISIS. That’s certainly an important topic – ISIS is destabilizing the Middle East, killing and torturing people indiscriminately, and doing their best to drag the US back … Continue reading →

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I Won’t Try to Convert You . . . Because I Can’t

Posted on August 29, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

When I get a notification that someone has liked a post or has decided to follow The Unexpected Pastor (which you can do with the “Follow” button on the right, by the way), I usually check out their blog. The other day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Christian Living, Christianity, Faith | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Some Thoughts about Depression and Suicide

Posted on August 25, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

(Yesterday after the “normal” sermon about the book of Ruth, I spent a few minutes discussing a couple of things I felt called to share.) While I was away on vacation, Robin Williams died. It was amazing how much his … Continue reading →

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

Hail To The Redskins – and Farewell

Posted on June 19, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

Picture a buck-toothed 5th-grader with a crew cut and Husky-sized pants. It’s winter 1973 and he’s on his way to school in Richmond, VA. That’s a burgundy and gold jacket he’s wearing. If you look close, you’ll see that those … Continue reading →

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

Better Than an Arc Reactor – A Superhero Pentecost Sermon

Posted on June 10, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

(You can hear this sermon here. It’s based on Acts 2:1-21.) Late this week I read an excellent blog post by Pastor Ed Strietelmeier about Superheroes and Pentecost. I was going to preach about something else on this Pentecost Sunday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Sermon | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

What Must I Do To Be Saved? (Plus a story about a free hot dog)

Posted on May 16, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

I’ve had more requests for this sermon based on Acts 16:16-34 than any in a while. I think it’ s because it’s a clear explication of grace. At least I hope it’s not just because of the hot dog story … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, Lutheran Theology, Martin Luther, Salvation by Grace | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Heaven Is For Realz #feelgoodism

Posted on May 1, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

How did I end up going to see “Heaven Is For Real” last Saturday afternoon? I’m teaching a Bible Study on the afterlife, and the movie (and book) about four-year old Colton Burpo’s visit to “heaven” is inevitably a topic of conversation. … Continue reading →

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

Easter, The Last Two Minutes

Posted on April 23, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

(After I was done with the prepared part of my Easter Sermon, I spoke from my heart for a bit. Here’s sort of what I said – it wasn’t written down until now and it was a little different at … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Jesus’ Wife Gets a Date

Posted on April 16, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

As surely as political attack ads proliferate prior to polling, stories with supposed challenges to Christianity pop up in newspapers and magazines right before Christmas and Easter. One year it’s “The Gospel of Judas,” the next it’s “The Jesus Tomb.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments