Odin & Ash Wednesday – an Apologetic Post

One thing that I have found is that in all camps, from people who fully bought on to their religious system to skeptics of religious systems, is that many ideas seem like they connect because of limited information, but when you pick apart the facts at a more robust research level, the ideas fall apart. […]

The Most Amazing Christmas Message Ever!!! – Thoughts for Ministry Teams

Every year as a pastor Christmas Eve comes around. Ministry teams work hard knowing that they will have guests coming to church. It is a great opportunity to connect with people who traditionally only come to church on Christmas and Easter. It is also a great opportunity to share the message of Jesus and invite […]

Jesus the Good Shepherd (Pastor)

I have been around ministry my entire life. Both of my grandfathers were pastors, and I spent a lot of time with them. I was raised in the church, around church leadership teams, and served in a high capacity at a very young age. I have now been in full-time ministry for twelve years. I […]

Thoughts on Justice and Persecution from the Beatitudes

I grew up in the church. I have heard “The Beatitudes” read over and over again. Here is what they say: Matthew 5 NIV: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for […]

When Someone Has Questions

Over the past couple of weeks, we have had famous Christian leaders take to social media to announce that they are leaving the Christian faith or are struggling with their faith. Joshua Harris (author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye) and Marty Sampson (worship leader and songwriter from Hillsong) have been the most notable. As they […]

Joshua Harris, Faith Deconstruction, Losing My Religion, & A Part of my Journey

“I would be willing to give up Christianity.” This was the thought that went through my mind at age 19. That’s me in the corner That’s me in the spotlight Losing my religion – R.E.M. I know that I was in the middle of a series about heresy, but I am taking a break from […]

There is Less Heresy in Christian Circles Than People Think! Part 2

If you have not read part 1 of this series, you will want to read it for the foundation of this conversation. Click here to read it: https://davidruybalid.wordpress.com/2019/06/08/there-is-less-heresy-in-christian-circles-than-people-think-part-1/ There are problems with saying, “the Bible clearly says…” about every view and doctrine that we hold. Modern science as we know it using logical data, research […]

There is Less Heresy in Christian Circles Than People Think! Part 1

A moment of vulnerability: Over the past 15 years, I have re-engaged with my faith in a fresh way. It started with me wrestling with what I believed generally about God and then led to me working out what I believed about the Bible. At a certain point, I landed a more orthodox perspective of […]

Are we Reliving the Tower of Babel?

I grew up hearing the story of “The Tower of Babel”. Here is how it went… Humans refused to multiply and spread over the earth. They decided to build a tower to reach to God. Because of this, God confused them by giving them different languages and spread them out across the earth. This is […]

The Meaning of Holiness

I graduated from a Christian High School. I remember a song that we would sing in chapels. Holiness Holiness Is what I long for Holiness Is what I need Holiness Holiness Is what you want From me I would hear the word “holiness” often. If you asked the high school version of me what it […]