Category Archives: Faith
The Dash
Tonight I listened to Pastor Ben Harris, the Men’s Pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church give a message on God’s grace in our lives and how we must respond to it. While there were many gold nuggets of information in … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Simply Jason
Truth or Power Play?
Social theorist and historian Michael Foucalt once stated: “Truth is a thing of this world: it is produced only by virtue of multiple forms of constraint.” In other words, Foucalt was saying, a claim to absolute truth is simply a … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts
Seth Godin, Purple Cows and the Evangelical Church
Today, I watched a brief video from the TED Talks featuring Seth Godin giving a talk on the importance of “standing out.” He spoke of marketing and the importance of being “remarkable” in a world where consumers have too many … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, The Church
The Secrets of Jesus
Today, I read a chapter from Max Lucado’s book Cast of Characters entitled “The Sparkle From Eternity.” This writing by Max Lucado spoke to me. I came away with a sense of wonder in the very idea that Jesus was … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Leadership
Frustrations of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Lack of Seriousness in Our Faith, Churches and Religion
In continuing my reading of the book entitled “Bonheoffer” by Eric Mataxas, the portion of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s journey I am reading about today is his quest through Union Theological Seminary in New York City and his frustration with the lack … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, The Church
Saved! Now What??
Have you ever met a person who claims to follow Christ yet does literally nothing but take up space in the church pew every weekend? You know the person I am talking about… The one claims salvation through faith alone, … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Man's Salvation, Simply Jason, The Church
Do the Fundamentals of Christianity Matter?
I am currently reading an incredible book on the life and history of German Lutheran theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The book, authored by Eric Metaxas, is entitled BONHOEFFER: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy. It chronicles Bonhoeffer’s childhood, years of study … Continue reading
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“Taking Up Your Cross” vs. Modern Christianity
It is only fitting that I am finishing up my final quarter at UCLA primarily taking courses in the history of religion. As a man of faith, I find the very subject of religion to be fascinating; as a man … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, The Church
Must A Pastor Only Have A Biblical Worldview?
Well to simply answer the question up front: Yes. I know this is the standard and expected answer, but it is not an answer I have come to easily. In my education at UCLA, I am gaining a very broad … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Leadership, Seminary
The Marks of a True Christian
Yesterday, I was able to enjoy breakfast with man who I have come to think of as a very good friend. We don’t get together often, but when we do we usually sit for about three hours and discuss everything … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Seminary
The Hoppers: Too Far To Look Back…
A couple of weekends ago, our Pastor invited the Southern Gospel group The Hoppers to come and perform a concert for our church. Our sanctuary has just gone through a major renovation with new seats, new carpet and a new color … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts
On Fundamentalism, Evangelicanism and the Nature of Religiousness; The Harvey Cox Lecture
Tonight I was able to attend a lecture put on by the Center for the Study of Religion at UCLA featuring Harvard University professor/theologian Harvey Cox. What an incredible night. You can read more about Dr. Cox here and here, but … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, The Church, Worship
The Danger of the Leash: Overcoming our Past
As a child growing up in Indiana, my dad, my sister and I had the greatest dog. Her name was Noel (not pictured to the left). I could not tell you her breed or where she came from; I just … Continue reading
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The Truth About Honesty
My greatest fear is moral failure. Period. Plain and simple. I do not fear heights; I simply stay away from them. I do not fear death; it is bound to happen someday. I do not fear loneliness; I have been down … Continue reading
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Common Grace = Amazing Grace
A few days ago I was gripped by this term “common grace.” I was reading an article on John Piper’s blog where he discussed President Obama’s recent address to students across the country. While I did not watch the speech and … Continue reading
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O.S. Hawkins: Risky Business
Tonight our church hosted well-known Southern Baptist preacher and executive O.S. Hawkins. He is the former senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale and the First Baptist Church of Dallas, both staple congregations in the Southern Baptist community. … Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Seminary
Salvation According to Jesus and John
What is salvation in Jesus Christ all about? Taking on a name? Saying a prayer? Going to prayer?
Read on as Jason shares his thoughts… Continue reading
Filed under Faith, JP's Thoughts, Man's Salvation, Seminary, The Church
The VP on Patience; the General on Perserverance
As I have shared in my short little blurb “About Me,” I have the incredible privilege of leading worship in a large, grace-filled church. Having been on staff at two smaller churches, I can say there is a benefit to … Continue reading
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Wisdom Seeking: Thoughts for present and future Pastors; NBC Kings Series, vol. 1
In one of the earlier episode NBC’s “Kings” this past season, King Silas (played brilliantly by Ian McShane) pulls his son Jack to his side after hearing of one of his Jack’s indiscretions, and tells him very candidly the … Continue reading
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I Believe In God…
Yes, this blog exists for more than apologetics. But this point – that I believe in God – must be the very foundation. Though I will chronicle my own personal findings, ramblings and beliefs, it will be through the eyes … Continue reading
Filed under Faith
Jason C. Prater
