Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
Galatians 5:22-24; 3 John 2-4 Introduction One of the things that strikes me about the English language is how one word can be used in different ways. I see this especially with our next fruit of the Spirit that we are looking at, which is faithfulness. What does it mean to be faithful? We use … Read More “Remaining Faithful” »
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) stands today as one of the world’s most powerful military alliances, with a mission rooted in collective defense and global stability. But how did NATO come to be, and how has it evolved over the decades? The Birth of NATO NATO was officially founded on April 4, 1949, in the … Read More “The Story of NATO: From Cold War Alliance to Modern Security Pact” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, I get real about the struggles of motivation and consistency in blogging and digital product creation. While I’ve been making progress on redesigning my blogs and increasing traffic, one area I’ve been falling short in is finishing my digital products for my online store. I have projects that are … Read More “Overcoming Motivation Roadblocks in Blogging and Content Creation” »
When I think of the positive things happening in my life, it is natural for me to look to things that my children are doing. I am proud of all of them but I want to focus on one for the moment. Just a couple of weeks ago, our youngest decided to take up sewing. … Read More “Sew What?” »
Galatians 5:22-23 Introduction What would you rather be? Good or great? We think of historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Alfred the Great, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great. Who were the historical figures who were just good? A number of years ago, there was a very popular leadership book that was called From … Read More “Being Good” »
Recently my wife told me that she had just binge watched a season of a new show and she enjoyed it enough that she would rewatch it with me. That show was Paradise. Paradise is another series in the post-apocalyptic genre. If that turns you off, do not give up on it yet. This is … Read More “Paradise: Season One – Review” »
In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Ronald Drabkin, the author of Beverly Hills Spy. In this excellent book, the author takes us through the story of Frederick Rutland, a man who was a British hero from the Great War, a companion of Hollywood stars, and a spy that gave the Japanese valuable … Read More “SWWP 44 – From War Hero to Spy: The Story of Frederick Rutland” »
I have recently been sent a number of posts by skeptics who observe that the Gospel of Mark, which most scholars believe is the earliest Gospel, does not include an actual appearance by the risen Jesus. Of course there is an appearance after Mark 16:8, but anything after that verse is a later addition, presumably … Read More “The Gospel of Mark and the Resurrection of Jesus” »
During the Second World War, British commando units emerged as elite, unconventional forces trained to conduct raids, sabotage, reconnaissance, and direct action behind enemy lines. Their daring missions and adaptability made them a key asset in the Allied war effort, helping to disrupt German operations, gather intelligence, and pave the way for larger military campaigns. In this blog post, we’ll explore: … Read More “British Commando Units During the Second World War: The Tip of the Spear” »
I often find myself on long drives. Some people hate long drives but I actually enjoy it. As an introvert, I love time to myself to listen to podcasts. I have always been a lifelong learner. This has traditionally been through reading books, but I currently don’t have the time to read as much as … Read More “Growing With Podcasts” »
Galatians 5:22-26; Colossians 3:12 Introduction How are we to express the Christian message? Some people think it is as simple as passing on a certain piece of content. Do you remember way back when there was someone who would hold up John 3:16 signs at sports events? The hope was getting people to look up … Read More “A Kind Church” »
What is morality? According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, morality is defined as For Christians, morality is determined by the commands of God as revealed in the Bible. But it’s actually not quite as simple as that. What do we do when the Bible describes God commanding something that we would normally consider to … Read More “Reflections on the Morality of God” »
One of the shows that we have been watching regularly is Severance. It is such a unique show in both premise and tone. The first season focused on the concept of these employees whose minds were severed to the point that their work and family lives were completely separate. There were hints that more was … Read More “Severance: Season Two – Review” »
When people reflect on the Allied victory in the Second World War, they often think of Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. However, Canada’s contribution was equally vital, despite being a smaller nation at the time. From the stormy waters of the Battle of the Atlantic to the heroic assault on Juno Beach and the liberation of the Netherlands, Canadian forces played … Read More “Canada’s Crucial Contribution to Victory in the Second World War” »
I do not like winter. Not even a little. I eagerly anticipate spring. The past few days have finally given us the hint of spring. A couple of days ago, it was very nice and sunny out. We were able to be out in short sleeves and enjoy the weather. Of course instead of just … Read More “Hints of Spring” »
Galatians 5:22-26, James 5:7-11 Introduction As we look at each of the fruit of the Spirit, I want you to imagine them for a moment as purely human virtues to work at rather than a work of God. All of these would be difficult to accomplish, but I think patience would be one of the … Read More “Waiting For Patience” »
I finally got around to watching the infamous Joke sequel. So how bad was it? Well, I actually didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would. I probably would not have walked out in the theatre if I saw it when it was playing but I’m also glad that I didn’t pay to … Read More “Joker: Folie à Deux – Review” »
A turning point for Saul of Tarsus, better known to us as the Apostle Paul, was his meeting with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Since it was a turning point for him, it was also for Christianity. But what exactly did Paul experience on the road to Damascus? Paul only hints at … Read More “What Did Paul Experience on the Road to Damascus?” »
The Germans have been busy during 1941. Not only had they invaded the Soviet Union and continued the Battle of the Atlantic, they also had occupied several countries and were still trying to deal with Britain. This included a bombing campaign, as well as the war in North Africa. This episode brings us to the … Read More “SWWP 43 – Catching Up With the Germans on the Eve of Pearl Harbor” »
During the Second World War, Britain’s intelligence and security efforts were divided among various departments, known as the Military Intelligence (MI) sections. While MI5 and MI6 are the most well-known today, there were numerous other MI units, each specializing in different aspects of wartime intelligence. Here, we explore the roles, existence, and legacy of MI1 … Read More “The Secret War: Britain’s MI Departments in World War Two” »
What does quality time with family look like? This past Saturday, it was going to a gun range with my son. I have not used a fire arm since I was an early teen with a .22 when I was a boy scout. My son has wanted to do this for a while and this … Read More “Having a Blast” »
Galatians, 2 Corinthians 13:10-12 Introduction The next section for the fruit of the Spirit is that of peace. Peace. That is something that is on many people’s minds right now. We have seen this on the global scene. The United States has been trying to bring about peace in the Ukraine-Russia war. But the peace … Read More “Living in Peace” »
I have found that Apple TV is knocking it out of the park when it comes to science fiction shows. One of the ones that I have recently watched is Invasion. There have been a number of shows named Invasion, this one started in 2021. The basic premise is that there is an alien invasion. … Read More “Invasion: Seasons 1-2 – Review” »
I cannot say that I ever expected to see a time when the President of the United States would openly state that he wants to economically destroy Canada so that we would be forced to agree to an annexation. At first people laughed it off. Donald Trump, long before being president, knew how to work … Read More “Reflections of a Frustrated But Hopeful Canadian” »
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia is rooted in a complex history involving the breakup of the Soviet Union, geopolitical tensions, and territorial disputes. Understanding the origins of this war requires examining key events such as Ukraine’s independence, nuclear disarmament agreements, NATO-related debates, the annexation of Crimea, and the full-scale invasion launched by Russia … Read More “The Origins and Causes of the Ukraine-Russia War” »
It was in January of 2022 that we arrived in Nova Scotia. It was one of the biggest decisions that our family has ever made. The reason we moved to Nova Scotia was for Amanda and I to become the pastors of Brookfield Baptist Church. While this has been a learning experience as there is … Read More “Over Three Years in Nova Scotia” »
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 Introduction Have you ever wondered what people will say about you after you die? After the funeral, while they are drinking coffee and eating egg salad sandwiches, they will say something like: “He/she was a very ________ person.” While we can not be boiled down to just one characteristic, there is probably … Read More “Overflowing With Joy” »
I am sure that many people were shocked by the recent events that took place at the Oval Office when President Zelenskyy of Ukraine met with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance among others. What started as a friendly meeting ended up becoming a loud argument in front of the world. My goal here is not … Read More “What Christian Leaders Can Learn From the Trump-Zelanskyy Conflict” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, we tackle a question that many content creators are asking: Is blogging dead? While the landscape has changed dramatically over the past 15-20 years, blogging remains a powerful and relevant tool—if done intentionally. I share my personal journey of revitalizing my blog, the real results I’ve seen from a … Read More “Is Blogging Dead?” »
In the late 1930s, Czechoslovakia possessed one of the most formidable military forces in Central Europe. As tensions mounted with Nazi Germany following Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and the territorial demands on the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia prepared for potential conflict. Despite these efforts, the country ultimately faced diplomatic isolation and political pressure, culminating in its … Read More “Czechoslovakia’s Military Strength Before the German Invasion” »
Each week, I share something I am thankful for or some experience that I recognize as good news. What I am sharing this week is something I have shared before numerous times and will again in the future. I am thankful for my family! I am blessed with an incredible wife and five amazing children. … Read More “I Am Thankful For My Family” »
Colossians 3:13-15 Introduction We are beginning a new series on the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5. This passage is pretty amazing. Paul pushes back against a Christian faith that is purely rules-based. What Paul argues about in Galatians is that the Christian life, instead of being about obedience to a certain … Read More “Be Clothed in Love” »
What in life do you feel is important? How do you determine what is right or wrong? How do you know where to put your energy? All of these questions are shaped in part by our values. What does this look like for Christians? You will find that different Christians do have different values. This … Read More “Where Should Christians Get Their Values?” »
Christians believe that Jesus died and that he rose from the dead on the third day. But what do we mean by that? What kind of resurrection do we think he experienced? For those who believed that something real happened to Jesus after his death, and this would include the Apostle Paul and the Gospel … Read More “Was the Resurrection of Jesus a Spiritual or Bodily Resurrection?” »
It was in St. Catharines, Ontario. I arrived at Central Gospel Temple after a bad snowstorm that made it pretty difficult to get out of my parents’ driveway. I met up with Rev. Tony Sardella, former youth pastor at CGT. I was about to marry Amanda Peschell. I really had no idea of what life … Read More “Twenty-Five Years!” »
During the Second World War, Japan developed and deployed a wide array of aircraft to support its military objectives in the Pacific and Asian theaters. These aircraft were used for various purposes including fighter combat, bombing missions, reconnaissance, and training. Below is an overview of the primary types of Japanese aircraft, their production numbers, armament, … Read More “Japanese Aircraft of the Second World War” »
Galatians 1:11-24 Introduction I am always amazed at the diversity of personalities among people. Two of the categories that exist are those who are easy going and who are able to agree to disagree, and those who have very strong convictions and exclaim: “Here I stand, I can do no other.” Of course these are … Read More “Learning From Paul” »
Imagine living in a silo with 144 floors but you don’t know why you and the others live there or what is outside of the silo. That is the premise of Silo, a science fiction series on Apple TV. Like any society, there is some hierarchy. In this case, there is a mayor, a judge, … Read More “Silo: Seasons 1 & 2 – Review” »
I was asked by someone to respond to a post titled My reply to “Five Reasons to Doubt the Resurrection by Matthew Hartke, Debunked.” So I am responding to a response that was a response to some original statement! Here I go. I will not respond to everything in the post at turch is rong … Read More “Responding to Some Criticisms of the Resurrection” »
The fall of France in 1940 remains one of the most astonishing military events of the 20th century. Despite having a well-equipped and numerically strong army, France succumbed to Germany’s Blitzkrieg in just six weeks. This post explores the relative strengths of the French and German forces in terms of size, equipment, and strategy, as … Read More “The French and German Armies in 1940: A Comparison of Strength and Strategy” »
Each week, I share something good that has happened, something for which I am thankful. This week, I want to express how proud I am of my son Justus. Recently, Justus got his first full-time job. I am amazed at what a great fit it is for him. He is a hard worker and he … Read More “Proud of Justus” »
Matthew 16:13-23 Introduction We have a lot of information in the Bible about the lives of people who have sought to follow God. But why? Why not just have a list of commands, the dos and don’ts of what life is supposed to look like? Rules are fine but lists of commands do not necessarily … Read More “Learning From Peter” »
We are living in difficult times. As I write this, there has been a recent advancement of the Doomsday Clock. It is now 89 seconds to midnight, with midnight being the end of the world. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, who change the “clock”, had this to say: In setting the Clock one second closer … Read More “Pastors as Cultivators of Hope” »
I can imagine a certain segment of the population suggestion that Christian belief is completely irrational. Not just that Christianity is not true but that it does not deserve a seat at the table. Is Christianity a rational worldview? Richard Dawkins, in his best selling book, The God Delusion, argues that it is not. Belief … Read More “Is Christianity a Rational Worldview?” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, Stephen Bedard shares his journey of realizing that his content had become stagnant, despite consistent output. He explores how refocusing on audience interests—by engaging with trending topics and answering real questions—helped him regain traction. Learn key lessons on balancing quality with quantity and how to create content … Read More “From Coasting to Captivating: How to Reignite Engagement With Your Blog and YouTube Channel” »
When World War II began in 1939, several nations had built formidable military forces, each excelling in different areas such as army size, naval power, and air superiority. Below is an analysis of the top five militaries at the start of the war, detailing their strengths and capacities. You may also be interested in The … Read More “The Top Five Militaries at the Outbreak of World War II” »
Two of my greatest interests are military chaplaincy and teaching. If you have followed my blog for a while, you know I had been taking courses at the chaplain school over the past few years. I have now had the opportunity to become involved in teaching chaplains. Chaplain training was revamped a couple of years … Read More “Teaching Chaplains” »
Matthew 6:7-13 Introduction We are now approaching the end of our series on the ACTS model of prayer. We have seen that prayer is not just about asking for stuff but also includes adoration, confession, and thanksgiving. However, this is not the ACT model but the ACTS model and so we have to look at … Read More “Supplication as Prayer” »
The What If…? television series by Marvel is an interesting concept. What if something different happened in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) than what we see in the regular Marvel movies and shows. This concept fits nice in Marvel’s currents focus on the multiverse. So now, instead of just hypotheticals, they are actually parallel universes, … Read More “What If…? Season Three – Review” »
How should the church respond to the LGBTQ+ community? Should the church insist on complete change before admittance into the community? Andy Stanley has recently stretched this conversation through the Unconditional Conference that was hosted at his church. You can find an article on this here: https://churchleaders.com/news/459809-andy-stanley-affirms-traditional-view-of-marriage-following-controversial-unconditional-conference.html This is the video I mention: https://youtu.be/Omzxo0ZauQk Support … Read More “Andy Stanley, Same-Sex Relationships, and Biblical Christianity” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, we explore the five key elements that make a blog post effective—beyond just the content. While it might be tempting to focus solely on the writing, attention to these other components can significantly enhance both your audience’s experience and your blog’s search engine optimization (SEO). Titles Matter: … Read More “5 Elements of an Effective Blog Post” »
Special Operations Executive (SOE) Special Air Service (SAS) Key Differences Overlap and Collaboration While SOE and SAS were distinct entities, their missions occasionally intersected. For example: Ultimately, both organizations were vital to the Allied war effort, but they operated with different focuses and methods to achieve complementary goals.
Two weeks ago when Amanda had her stroke, I did not know what life would look like for us. To be honest, I still don’t know. It could have been very easily been much worse than it has been. Amanda could have lost the ability to speak or become totally or half paralyzed. And yet … Read More “An Unexpected Party” »
Philippians 4:6 Introduction I have spent a lot of time in seminary. I have read a lot of books on theology and the Bible. I have been to many conferences and have heard from some excellent speakers and preachers. As helpful as all of that has been, I do not think there has been anything … Read More “Thanksgiving as Prayer” »
The German Army of World War Two was renowned for its military innovations, strategic tactics, and advanced weaponry. Among its arsenal, rifles played a critical role in equipping soldiers for combat across Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Front. This post examines the key rifles used by the Wehrmacht, exploring their design, capabilities, and impact … Read More “The Rifles of the German Army in World War Two” »
I must confess that after watching the trailer for Skeleton Crew, I had the least interest in watching this show than any other Star Wars series. Was my fear justified? My initial thought was that this looked like a kids science fiction movie from the 1980s (apart from the quality of the special effects). In … Read More “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – Review” »
In this brief but impactful episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, Stephen Bedard shares insights on a counterintuitive yet vital principle of social media marketing: promoting other people’s content. While it might feel unnatural for bloggers—Christian or not—to share content that doesn’t directly lead to their own platforms, Stephen explains how this approach builds trust … Read More “Why Promoting Other People’s Content Matters (And How It Builds Trust)” »
The best news we received this past week was that Amanda was coming home. After almost a week in the ICU, it was wonderful to have her back home with us. That is not to say that she has fully recovered from her stroke. She is still walking with a walker and has weakness on … Read More “On the Road to Recovery” »
1 John 1:5-10 Introduction Have you ever been in the position where you had to admit that you were wrong. Not wrong factually, like getting the wrong response on a trivia show. But rather wrong in your behaviour. Have you ever had to confess that you did something bad? How did that feel? Was it … Read More “Confession as Prayer” »
As I have shared before, I have recently returned to my love of comic collecting after a multi-decade break. I have decided to focus on DC Comics that are 1976 or earlier (with a few exceptions). I recently decided to share some of my love for these older DC Comics by starting a YouTube channel … Read More “The Comic Book Geek Video Channel” »
During the Second World War, intelligence agencies played a pivotal role in shaping the Allied forces’ strategies and ultimately contributed significantly to their victory. These agencies were involved in a wide range of activities, from gathering and analyzing enemy communications to conducting covert operations behind enemy lines. Each major Allied nation had its own intelligence … Read More “Spies, Codes, and Sabotage: The Role of Allied Intelligence in WWII and Beyond” »
When I hear about Christian speakers getting the opportunity to be on a major platform far wider than our own Christian circles, I get nervous. Some of the speakers are embarrassing and have no idea how to engage outside of their own areas of influence or they are not prepared for a host with strong … Read More “Why Wesley Huff Made Such an Impact on the Joe Rogan Show” »
In this heartfelt and brief episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, the host shares a personal update about navigating a sudden family health crisis and reflects on the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. Acknowledging the emotional and physical toll of unexpected events, the episode emphasizes the value of self-care, adjusting to life’s challenges, and … Read More “When Life Happens: Prioritizing What Matters in the Midst of Crisis” »
Saturday was a pretty scary day. As Amanda was beginning to prepare dinner, she seemed off. This is not unusual as she is still recovering from a concussion from a year and a half ago. But this was different. Soon after, Amanda had lost all strength in her left side and was unable to speak. … Read More “Thankful for Support and Improvement” »
In the ever-evolving landscape of Christian leadership, thought leaders continue to provide valuable insights to guide and inspire. Here are five recent standout blog posts that offer practical advice and spiritual wisdom: These articles offer valuable perspectives for Christian leaders seeking to navigate the complexities of modern ministry with wisdom and grace.
Sometimes I encounter a television show that I like and then follow along as each season is released. Most often, if there is a series that fits with my interests, I usually discover it while it still is on the air. Rarely do I discover show years after it finished. But the Last Ship is … Read More “The Last Ship – Review” »
The Nazi regime in Germany from 1933 to 1945 established an extensive and oppressive security apparatus to enforce its totalitarian rule. Two key organizations at the center of this apparatus were the Gestapo (Geheime Staatspolizei) and the SS (Schutzstaffel). While both were integral to maintaining Nazi control and perpetrating the Holocaust, they had distinct roles, … Read More “Understanding the Difference Between the Gestapo and the SS in Nazi Germany” »
I have been familiar with author and blogger Marty Duren for a number of years. I had been searching for podcasts related to ministry as I had just returned to pastoring. I came across one hosted by Marty and I was impressed. I immediately that he did not automatically tow the party-line. When I received … Read More “The Disparate Ones – Review” »
My Good News post this week is simply that I am trying to start this new year off with a renewed desire to be the best that I can be. What does that look like? I certainly have goals that I want to accomplish but that is not really what I am talking about. Over … Read More “Good News: A New Year” »
1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Introduction Prayer is the most natural activity for the Christian. There is nothing that can take away our access to prayer. Even if every church building was locked up and every Bible was confiscated, we could still pray. Even if there was a ban on public prayer, we could always pray. But … Read More “Adoration as Prayer” »
The declarations of war during the Second World War involved many countries and occurred at different times throughout the conflict. Below is a list of countries and their respective declarations of war. Note that the dates refer to when countries declared war on another state, which may vary depending on alliances, invasions, and shifting allegiances … Read More “Timeline of Declarations of War During World War II” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, we dive into one of the most critical strategies for growing a successful blog: building your email list. Starting with the four essential words every digital marketer knows — Grow Your Email List — we explore why this is so important and how to get started, even if you’re new … Read More “Building Your Email List: The Key to Growing Your Christian Blog Audience” »
I have been a fan of the Dune books for a long time. I have really enjoyed the recent Dune movies by Denis Villeneuve. They are beautiful to watch and closer to the books than the previous movie. The challenge with the Dune books is that there is so much story to tell. Frank Herbert … Read More “Dune: Prophecy – Season One” »
It is best practice, for many good reasons, to set no more than three goals at a time. Anything more than that gets unmanageable. I still believe that is the best way to go. And yet here, on the first day of 2025, I am going to set 25 goals for myself. Why so many? … Read More “25 Goals for 2025” »
This past year was a rather full year. There were some great things and some challenging things that happened. One of the challenges our family has faced has been with Amanda’s post-concussive syndrome. Amanda is a talented pastor but unfortunately is not able to return to work. However, she did preach a few Sundays at … Read More “The Year in Review – 2024” »
As I write my final Good News post for 2024, my focus is not on one specific event but this past year in general. I plan to do a year in review post later but for now, I want to speak in generalities. Basically, 2024 was a much better year for myself and my family … Read More “Good News: A Better Year” »
I have been involved in some sort of theistic apologetics for a long time. I can recall presenting evidence for the existence of God while I was still in the process of moving from a general theism to a return to Christianity. After seminary, I heavily embraced what is sometimes called the “Apologetics industrial complex” … Read More “5 Trends That Have (Re)Shaped My Christian Apologetics” »
The podcast episode provides a detailed overview of the Battle of the Atlantic from June 1941 to December 1941, highlighting the struggle between the Allies and German U-boats, as well as the growing involvement of the United States. This period, though marked by some Allied progress, still saw heavy losses as Germany sought to knock Britain out of … Read More “SWWP 42 – The Battle of the Atlantic: Chapter Two” »
I am so thankful for all the people who regularly visit this website and read my content. I like to share at the end of the year, the five most popular blog posts of this year. These are not necessarily posts that I wrote in 2024, but posts that were most popular in this year. … Read More “Top Five Blog Posts of 2024” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, the host explores a key question: Should Christian bloggers make money from their work? Reflecting on biblical teachings about greed and personal experiences, the host addresses the tension between faith-based blogging and monetization. They explain that while creating content to bless others is admirable, blogging also incurs costs—such as … Read More “Monetizing a Christian Blog (Is It Right?)” »
How should someone share their faith? How should a pastor proclaim the gospel? There are plenty of different ideas out there. People do everything from fire and brimstone evangelism to seeker sensitive ministry. And there is not much patience from one end of the spectrum for the other end of the spectrum. What is the … Read More “Proclamation and the Golden Rule” »
As I write this, it is only a couple of days before Christmas. Christmas is a hectic time for everyone, and being a pastor does not relieve any of that stress. There are things that I wish I could do better. There are gifts that I wish I could buy for family members. I wish … Read More “Good News: Appreciating Our Kids” »
Psalm 33:16-22 Introduction Christmas can be a very hectic and even stressful time for many people. What is the reason for this? I think it comes down to a very simple economic formula of supply vs demand. And I am not talking about stores trying to keep the latest trend on the shelves. Think of … Read More “Our Hope is in the Lord” »
I sometimes get asked about my role as an army chaplain. “Is that like a pastor but for the army?” Sort of but not exactly. A lot of my work is in the area of mental health when it comes to my units. But it could be asked, why does the military hire (mostly) religious … Read More “Spiritual Readiness – Review” »
There has been a lot of talk about Krypto the last couple of days, and I am not talking about cryptocurrency. Rather, the Superdog that appears in the first teaser trailer for James Gunn’s new Superman movie. People only familiar with Superman from the movies or television shows might not be familiar with this character. … Read More “Who is Krypto?” »
If you were to go back in time to the first Easter Sunday morning, what would you have seen at the tomb of Jesus? This is a question that has been asked by both Christians and skeptics. In some ways, this is an important question. What did the earliest Christians believe happened to the physical … Read More “Was the Tomb Empty?” »
I have been an Alien fan since, well since the first Alien movie. I have watched each of the movies in the series and that brings me to the latest, Alien: Romulus. While I like the premise of the movies, the timeline is confusing. There are a couple of prequels and Romulus actually fits in … Read More “Alien: Romulus – Review” »
For the last couple of years, I have heard a lot about something called “pickle ball” but had no idea what it really was. Recently, we started offering pickle ball at our church and I finally got my chance to play it. The reputation it had was that of something older people enjoyed. Would I … Read More “Good News: Fun With Pickle Ball” »
Isaiah 40:2-4 Introduction Most of the best things that we can imagine require some sort of preparation. There are only a few things that can be done spontaneously with no preparation whatsoever. This covers just about every area of life. When I was in university, my summer job was painting. Much of the actual work … Read More “Prepare the Way” »
C.S. Lewis continues to inspire readers and scholars across the globe. Here are some notable blog posts and reflections written about Lewis in the last month: 1. Neil Gaiman’s Reflections on Lewis, Tolkien, and Chesterton In a revisit to an older speech, Neil Gaiman discusses the profound influence C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton had on his … Read More “C.S. Lewis Blog Highlights from the Last 30 Days” »
The Schlieffen Plan: Germany’s Strategy for a Quick Victory and Its Consequences The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s military strategy during the early stages of World War I, designed to avoid a two-front war against France in the west and Russia in the east. Developed by General Count Alfred von Schlieffen in 1905 and later modified by his successor, Helmuth von … Read More “What Was the Schlieffen Plan?” »
In church Christmas pageants, there usually are people dressed up as some of the “side characters” including the shepherds and the wise men. The shepherds are fairly easy to understand but were these wise men or magi? In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the … Read More “Who Are the Magi From the Christmas Story?” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, I take a trip down memory lane to share how I got started in blogging and podcasting. From my first blog on Blogger to managing multiple niche sites on apologetics, leadership, disability ministry, and Christian history, I reflect on the successes, missteps, and lessons learned. Hear how … Read More “A Beautiful Mess – My Journey Through Blogging, Podcasts, and Finding Focus” »
One of the things that happen in army units at this time of year is the Soldier Appreciation Dinner, or some variety of it. It often includes the serving of food to soldiers by the officers, as a demonstration of our appreciation for them. I am a chaplain at two units. Unfortunately, I was not … Read More “Good News: Soldier Appreciation” »
2 Kings 6:8-19 Introduction Last week, we looked at the concept of waiting, especially within the concept of Advent. Very closely connected to that is the concept of watching. In fact we often use those two words together, “watching and waiting.” We can wait for something that we do not think will happen but if … Read More “Watching and Waiting” »
In the past week, several thought-provoking articles have highlighted key trends, insights, and spiritual reflections on Christian leadership. Here are some of the best pieces worth exploring: 1. “7 Trends Impacting Church Leadership for 2024” Source: Lewis Center for Church Leadership This article examines emerging trends that will shape church leadership in 2024, including a … Read More “Top Christian Leadership Articles of the Week” »
It seems to go without saying that churches should be places of worship. And yet, those things that we say “go without saying” usually still need to be said. What is a worshipping church? C.S. Lewis once said: “It’s not out of a compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are. … Read More “3 Steps to Becoming a Worshipping Church” »
In this episode, Stephen Bedard shares his journey as a faith-based blogger navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing blogging landscape. He reflects on his struggles with declining views, limited resources, and the difficulty of monetization, while committing to revitalizing his blog and sharing his experiences in real-time. This podcast offers an honest, Christian perspective … Read More “Faithful Blogging: My Journey to Revitalize and Inspire” »
The Soviet Union’s armored forces were a crucial element in the defeat of Nazi Germany during the Second World War. From the vast plains of Russia to the streets of Berlin, Soviet tanks played a decisive role in the brutal combat that characterized the Eastern Front. Over the course of the war, the Red Army … Read More “The Tanks of the Soviet Union During the Second World War” »
