davegipson@hotmail.com

Outrageous

UncategorizedAugust 3, 20152Views 0Likes 2Comments

So people are outraged by the killing of a lion named Cecil in Africa. A beautiful creation of God has been killed, with no respect for the inherent worth of that creature. The death came about not to preserve another life, but by callously imposing one “will” over the other’s right to merely exist. OK, I get…

My Favorite Super Hero

UncategorizedMay 8, 20153Views 0Likes 0Comments

I loved the show "24,'' and Jack Bauer was the quintessential American hero. A loner often misunderstood, he avoids relationships because loved ones have a way of getting hurt around him. He wins using his well-honed skills, and then walks back into the darkness until the world needs him again. As a manly fantasy,…

Hereafter

UncategorizedApril 11, 20152Views 0Likes 0Comments

I sat at the bedside of a dying woman this week. She was confined to bed, and had oxygen running through a line to her nose. After a few pleasantries, I asked her what she wanted to talk about. Since she new she was dying, I wondered what might be utmost in her mind. Mostly, she wanted…

“You ask me how I know He lives…”

UncategorizedApril 2, 20153Views 0Likes 0Comments

Growing up in a southern Baptist church, every Easter there were two hymns you had to sing…or you probably weren’t really Baptist. One was “Low in the Grave He Lay”. Most people don’t remember it by that title, but by the bouncy chorus that interrupts the sad, mournful verse. After lamenting the crucified Jesus,…

A Covering of Snow

UncategorizedJanuary 27, 20151View 0Likes 2Comments

The gales of wind howled through the trees outside the old cabin. Smoke rose from the chimney as the old man ate his humble soup safely inside. His weathered hands were still steady, having stacked the wood by the cabin walls that would surely last the winter’s full duration. It’s a good thing he had.…

Stop Telling People You’re a Christian

UncategorizedJanuary 5, 20154Views 0Likes 1Comment

As a pastor, I meet a lot of people who tell me they are Christians. However, there's a favor I'd like to ask a few of them... Would you please stop telling people you're a Christian? Here's why: You're too judgmental, you're too negative, you're always focused on how bad things are and never on how good…

When they won’t be “Home for Christmas”

ChristmasDecember 16, 20143Views 0Likes 0Comments

There’s a certain odd hush that comes upon a town at Christmas Eve. It’s not that people aren’t still working — those days when everyone got off work for Christmas are gone. But a calm still descends as families gather, and the majority of stores shut off their lights and workers head home. That’s…

(Do) STOP BELIEVIN’

UncategorizedNovember 30, 20143Views 0Likes 2Comments

One of the funniest critiques I hear lobbed against Christians is that we "believe in fairy tales". "You Christians think your daddy in the sky created humans - how quaint and childish!" "Ok then," I respond, "where do you think we came from?" "Well, of course space aliens from another planet colonized earth. What other logical…

When God Wants You Unhappy

BlogNovember 26, 201412Views 0Likes 3Comments

I recently got a Facebook message from a well-meaning Christian friend: "God has seen everything you've been going through, and He told me to tell you 'IT'S OVER'! Your trial has ended, and now God's about to open up the windows of heaven to bless you beyond your wildest dreams!!!!!" (Full disclosure: I may have…

A Not-So Wonderful Life

UncategorizedNovember 21, 20148Views 0Likes 5Comments

In light of the coming hubbub that will inevitably be ignited by random Nativity displays, not to mention fearful store employees wishing you a very PC "Happy Holidays" this month, one thing is clear (at least, to me)... Many people want a world without God. I know that's rather blunt, but shouldn’t we…

Say “Yes”

UncategorizedNovember 18, 20144Views 0Likes 0Comments

My 26th wedding anniversary is today (Nov 19, 2014), and I can still remember how awkwardly the proposal played out. I was a youth pastor with a group of 80 teenagers on a mission trip to New Orleans. My intended fiancé grew up in the suburbs there, so I thought it would be perfect to propose…

Accidental Atheist: The Christian Bubble

UncategorizedNovember 14, 20144Views 0Likes 0Comments

We’ve parented 5 kids so far…and counting. So we’re well aware of all the negative influences a child faces in today’s culture. There are temptations and hazards now most of us never dreamed of just 10 years ago. Considering all the technology available to them, the number of ways for kids to damage themselves spiritually…