Things My Kids Say: No. 005
Virgil: (As I'm putting on my lipstick) Mommy, is that stripes on your face? ...thank you, son... thank you.
Things My Kids Say: No. 004
Virgil: Daddy, you're not feeling so well. Want some gum? It's good for you!
Selling Jesus
There is an epidemic in the church today. It's rampant in not only the church-proper, but also para-ministries and various evangelical organizations. It is the epidemic of "selling Jesus." We, as a church, have become borderline obsessed with how we market the message, so much so that some are even overlooking the Messenger. We get caught up in gimmicks, selling points, and marketing strategies. Don't believe me? Take a look at the tools of the modern church. Everything from True
Gratefulness that Changes Us
I had the privilege of reading the birth story of a friend of mine today. I knew bits and pieces of her story, but I had never heard it told from beginning to end, all the details included. As I read her story, I was moved to tears at the courage through struggles, the faith, and the joys that came from patient endurance. I didn't know her during that time of her life. All I see now is an amazing
Things My Kids Say: No. 003
Virgil: (After picking up a foam letter B) Mommy, what's this letter? Me: You tell me. What letter is it? Virgil: It's a B! Me: That's right! What sound does a B make? Virgil: 'buh' 'buh' B! Me: And what words start with the 'buh' sound? Virgil: What word? Me: 'buh' buh' Ball? Virgil: 'buh' Ball! Me: And 'buh' 'buh' Banana? Virgil: And 'buh' buh' Monster Truck!
The Credit and the Glory
It was only when I realized I had failed that I realized I had finally passed the test. I had been a worship musician traveling between various towns and churches for over ten years. I had played every kind of venue there was - the famed, the dive, the tiny, the nostalgic, the coveted. I could credit to myself many accomplishments during those years. I could name off the cool people I had met, the opportunities I had had, the
Things My Kids Say: No. 002
Random Kid at Chick-fil-A Playground to Virgil: Stop following me around. Virgil: I can't stop following you around.
Things My Kids Say: No. 001
My son is a zany little fellow, always coming up with something crazy to say. I've been told over and over again that I need to be writing these things down. But some of them are just too funny not to share. So I decided to start a new feature on my blog: Things My Kids Say. I say "my kids" because I know that in the not too distant future, one precocious little eight month old will be joining
Monster Trucks, Iambic Pentameter, and the Dog Days of Motherhood
I love being a mom. It's a lot of fun, most of the time. But if I were painting a picture of Cleaver-esque perfection in my home, I would be lying to you. For all the love, for all the fun, for all the smiles, for all the laughter, there are just those days. You know what I'm talking about. Days where all you want to do is find the nearest UPS Store and ship those suckers off to the
C.S. Lewis Talks Prayer
"In Gethsemane the holiest of all petitioners prayed three times that a certain cup might pass from Him. It did not. After that the idea that prayer is recommended to us as a sort of infallible gimmick may be dismissed." C.S. Lewis
Seeds
A seed is a small thing. It seems insignificant on its own. But when planted, in due time, it becomes something entirely different. It might become a giant tree, or a field of wheat. It might become a weed or a rose. But whatever it becomes, it always starts out small. This is not a lesson in botany. This is a reminder to our hearts about the power of our word-seeds. Yes, words are seeds. And they may not seem
Whether Lady Gaga Likes It or Not…
I read an article today begging the question of why young people are leaving the church. It was an interesting article citing the problems with young people and today's philosophies. I thought it made some good points. You can read it here, if you fancy. But I don't think it quite answered the question: why are young people leaving the church and can we do anything about it? This is a conundrum I've pondered many times in recent years. It's
Short Reads
God Told Me: An Immediate Red Flag
I have come to hear “God told me” as an immediate red flag.
There is an innate arrogance in assuming that you are hearing the voice of God and not your own. It’s exceptionally important to filter even your own “gut feelings” through scripture and wise counsel every time, no matter what. Because what you’re convinced is God Himself might very well be nothing more than your own ambition, selfish heart, or even a demonic influence.
Self-Evaluation is Key
Let me just say: if you go to a church where questions are either prohibited, ignored, or stonewalled, find another church. A healthy person — leader or otherwise — is always willing to self-examine. Questions asked for the right reasons are not threats, they are an opportunity to evaluate. If a leader can’t or won’t do that, it should tell you everything you need to know.
The Fall of the Evangelical Industrial Complex is Looming…
Unlike 15 years ago with the Hawkins lawsuit…
…Daystar cannot control the narrative and get out ahead of stories with a spin of “extortion” and “blackmail” anymore. In the age of social media, podcasters, YouTube, and even armchair observers, there is no more tight control of the narrative.
The same is true for legacy media, and we are watching their demise in real time.
We’re watching the fall of the Evangelical Industrial Complex, too.
It is good that tightly-knit organizations that protect each other at the expense of truth, justice, and morality should fall publicly and painfully.
In the same way that they’re retaliating against Elon Musk by keying Tesla owners’ cars, the Christian media is organizing “anonymous” accounts for smear campaigns, doxxing, and intimidation. It’s the same tactic — and it’s a tactic that only proves one thing: they’re losing.
Unlike 15 years ago with the Hawkins lawsuit, Daystar cannot control the narrative and get out ahead of stories with a spin of “extortion” and “blackmail” anymore. In the age of social media, podcasters, YouTube, and even armchair observers, there is no more tight control of the…
— Morgan G Farris, Loquacious Curmudgeon (@MorganGFarris) April 1, 2025
A Tale of Two Responses
I know there are many who are still very angry with Gateway after the fall of Robert Morris…
…but when I look at that situation versus what’s happening at Daystar, I cannot help but notice some important differences.
Once Cindy made her story public, people within the Gateway organization instigated an independent, thirty-party investigation into her claims and found that not only was Robert guilty, but he had people help him hide the truth. All of those people were forced to leave Gateway, including Robert Morris.
In contrast, when Jonathan and Suzy Lamb made their story public, Daystar refused to allow an independent, third-party investigation and continued to double down by ignoring the outcry of a child and insisting on the innocence of a man who has not been properly investigated or exonerated. To top it off, they have now gone on an internet witch hunt, blackmailing people and harassing anyone who speaks out.
Color me naive, but I’ll take Gateway’s response all day long over what Daystar is doing.
It’s Not a Worship Song
This is going to ruffle feathers, but the majority of songs touted as worship songs today are not, in fact, worship songs. Most of them are focused on us, what we get out of God, and how God makes us feel.
That isn’t worship. That’s hedonism. I’m looking at you, Brandon Lake.
The Erosion of Worship Lyrics
We went from singing lyrics like:
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
To:
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus, you brought heaven down
Or:
I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
Been through hell hallelujah
Or:
I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hands
Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heartbeat
We’ve taken our sacred spaces where we praise the Creator of the universe for His glory and goodness and turned them into places where we tell God what we want from Him next. Church, we must return to true praise in Spirit and in Truth and abandon the hedonism that has infiltrated the holy place.
You’re Not Following Christ
If you’re following Christ because a TV preacher told you you’d be blessed, you’re not following Christ, you’re following your desires.
Biblical Prosperity
Perhaps the prosperity that the Prosperity Gospel Peddlers tout is rooted in a capitalist view of what is good for us. Perhaps the prosperity God promises throughout the Bible is one for our souls, not simply our means. Perhaps when God says he will provide all that we need, it might be manna, not a steak dinner.
