Category Archives: Contemporary Worship

The Sharpest Knife in the Drawer – Visit to a Non-Denominational Church

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

If you’re a pastor who thinks what the world needs is another non-denominational church or your winning personality, give-up. Send them to Shoreline, Austin, Texas. They have a better sound system than any Dolby movie theater, as comfortable seating as … Continue reading →

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Look to the Rock from which You were Hewn – Visit to a Baptist Church

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

“Look to the rock from which you were hewn,” is a call from Isaiah 51:1. Israel was to look to Abraham and Sara from which the Promised Seed came and therefore their righteousness did. In popular parlance it means to … Continue reading →

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Neither a Doctor’s or an Actor’s Look at Calvary Does it Justice

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

I’ve read the 1963 work A Doctor Looks at Calvary; you’ve probably watched Mel Gibson’s 2004 movie The Passion and while a medical doctor in my congregation says that the book is accurate and those who have watched the movie … Continue reading →

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Playing First Century in Red Pantaloons

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Krister Stendahl, a Swedish Lutheran theologian, gave a lecture at an Episcopalian seminary in 1982. It was on Romans. I was in attendance. I remember thinking either this man is too smart for me to understand or so stupid he … Continue reading →

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Mothers Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Presbyterians

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

So sang Willie and Waylon about cowboys, buy you can be a Confessional Lutheran and be a cowboy. The same can’t be said of being a Presbyterian. Never the twain shall meet. The thing conservative Presbyterians are closest to meeting … Continue reading →

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A Laughing Matter that isn’t Funny

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

I have a thirty-year-old cartoon in my files from Christianity Today. It depicts an absolutely frazzled man on the edge of a bed, phone plastered to his ear, with a freaked-out expression. The caption is: “My wife just left me, … Continue reading →

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Levels

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

There is a “Seinfeld” episode in which Kramer is obsessed with levels particularly having them in his apartment. It was the usual send-up. Perhaps, though, we should pay more attention to levels.

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Visit to a Catholic Church

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

It truly was catholic in the small ‘c’ sense. There were a variety of ethnic groups and ages all equally at home in the sanctuary and with each other. That’s not where the catholicity ended but that was where it … Continue reading →

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Not Your Father’s Bible Church

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

I can say this about Hill Country Bible Church, Pflugerville, Texas because about 40 years ago I attended a Bible Church while in college.

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Who’s Kidding Who?

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

This is from Hill Country Bible Church, Pflugerville, Texas webpage titled “What We Believe.” Strict agreement with these doctrines is not required for membership at HCBC; however, we affirm these beliefs as taught in Scripture and have established them as the … Continue reading →

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