Embedded

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Personal Faith

Journalists embedded with combat troops made the Viet Nam conflict the first televised war. Network news brought the war into American living rooms every evening. It was an undeclared war that brought continuing protests on college campuses, at military induction centers, and government monuments for over a decade.

Televising this "conflict" fought on the other side of the world created a tug-a-war for the American psyche. The embedded journalists revealed the realities of the daily struggle of war, as thousands of young soldiers died in an undeclared war that divided a nation.

It was not a bright spot in American history, but it brought about a more honest view of combat and politics that lingers today.

New Clothing

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Personal Faith

Where do you shop for clothes? Do you go to thrift stores, big-box discount chain stores, trendy boutiques, or high-end stores? Or is most of your shopping online?

When do you shop? Do you wait for clearance sales or Black Fridays? Are you a last minute shopper or do you plan your shopping trips?

We Americans, known for our consumeristic culture, are overly focused on clothing. It's more than just covering our nakedness, it's often part of our identity.

But really, how important should it be? It depends on the clothing.

A Slow Burial

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Foundations, Personal Faith

Interest in physical fitness surges a few times throughout the year. The holiday season when we all tend to eat more than our body needs is a prime example. This carries over to New Year's resolutions to get physically fit.

Summertime also brings renewed interest in physical fitness for those who go to the beach or lake to catch some sun. Some gyms are even open 24 hours a day for the die-hards, but many of us have difficulty being consistent.

Inconsistency is also an issue for many of us with spiritual fitness. We may know what is needed for spiritual growth and strength, but struggle to move beyond the initial experience of making Jesus the Lord of our life.

3 STEPS TO AN EASY LIFE

Trip Kimball
Personal Faith, Relationships

Aren’t we all in pursuit of an easy life?

We all want to be stress-free. We all want to find peace. We all strive for security. Yet all this striving creates a mentality of fear within us.

I am 28 and balding, which is a sign of a stressful life. I don’t have health insurance. So pray I don’t get cancer. Most of all, when I lay down in bed I worry about not leaving a legacy.

A Life Hidden

Trip Kimball
Personal Faith, God's Word

Having wealth is no guarantee of a better life. Just ask lottery winners who've won and lost millions, finding themselves overwhelmed by their new-found wealth.

Being rich has its challenged and these challenges lead to greater responsibilities.

This illustrates a spiritual reality. Jesus had something to say about the pitfalls of wealth and their spiritual connection to the heart.

The Art of Dying to Self

Trip Kimball
God's Word, Personal Faith, Theology

Most of us have heard of having either left or right brain dominance. Those who have a left-brain dominance are supposed to be more analytical, while those with right-brain dominance are more creative.

Art is defined as a creative skill or ability, and science is knowledge about something or study of a subject. Typically, art and science are seen as opposites, just as with left or right brain dominance.

And by the way, the idea of left or right brain dominance? It turns out to be a popular myth. So, maybe art and science aren't so opposite.

The Art of Dying

Trip Kimball
Culture, Personal Faith

Dying is not a favorite topic for most of us. We want to avoid talking about it and would like to circumvent death itself. But it's inevitable here on earth.

As a pastor, I often saw how awkward most people feel around the survivors of loved ones who've died. What do we say or not say to them?

This is especially true in American culture. Most other cultures have specific customs and beliefs about death. Grief and mourning are natural, not something to ignore or avoid.

A Journey of Faith

A Journey of Faith

Trip Kimball
Foundations, God's Word, Personal Faith, Theology, 5 Solas

Quoting a truth is easier than living it out in real life. Putting truth on a plaque or poster is nice, but it doesn't change a person's life.

Memorization of Scripture is good for retention, but it won't produce transformation in a person's life on its own. What we know in our minds doesn't automatically bring change in our hearts or our self-will.

Truth doesn't bring transformation until it's transferred from thought into action, which requires an active, personal faith.

Hunkering Down!

Trip Kimball
Foundations, Personal Faith, Theology

Sometimes our plans get interrupted by life, and sometimes it's a weather interruption. Because we live so close to the coast (5 blocks from the beach), we evacuated to our son's home inland a ways.

We did our best to set things in order and get as much off the ground as we could, but how do you prepare for 100+ miles/hour winds and the potential of several feet of storm surge?

I'm writing this while we've got power, so we'll see how our home fares in the next few days as hurricane Matthew spins through our area.

A Human Flaw

Trip Kimball
Culture, Foundations, God's Word, Personal Faith, Theology, 5 Solas

I was a praise and worship leader for four decades. I suppose I could still lead, but my role in life and ministry is different now.

I miss that role at times, especially when I see leaders overly concerned with their performance and presentation of the music. It grieves me when I see this for that shouldn't be their focus.

It's easy to see that American culture exalts good performance and entertainers. But this is more of a human flaw than a cultural one.

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