Q&A #127 - When was the church built & is speeding a sin?

1. What year was this church built?
2. Is speeding 10 kilometres on the highway over the speed limit still breaking the law even though you will probably never get a ticket for it....If so, is it Okay for people who call themselves christians to break the law? What year was this church built?

Q&A #126 - Righteousness, Gender identity, Jr High awkward moments, Revelation follow up, group prayer and powerpoint

1. In 2 Samuel 22:21-25 as part of a song David wrote to GOD he is saying that GOD saved him from his enemies because of his own blamelessness and cleanliness before the LORD.
Am I misunderstanding the text? I don’t understand how a man with multiple wives and concubines could consider himself blameless before the LORD.
What are your thoughts on this part of his song?
2. My elementary school child is coming home saying that they are being taught that they can be boys, girls, or anything if they feel like it. How do I talk to my kids about this?
3. My junior high aged son got asked out by a friend in his class who is a boy. My son didn't really know how to respond and thinks he may have unintentionally hurt the boys feelings. Any suggestions for my son on how to mend a friendship without making the friend feel judged for being gay, but still making it clear that he's not interested?
4. In the last episode, (episode 125,) someone asked a question about the book of revelations, the question said that in the first chapter it says: “everyone who reads and understands it is blessed”
My first question is do you have any idea what translation of the Bible the questioner was referring to?  I read through 28 translations of Revelations 3:1 shown at the “biblehub.com” and not a single one of them had anything close to the word “understand” used in that verse.  
My second question/comment is: what are they teaching you in the Bible Schools you’ve been to that you didn’t pick up on this?  Probably the very first thing about Revelations that I was taught after I was saved was that this verse (Rev 1:3) says that you do not have to understand this book in order to receive blessing!  Our teacher did go on to give an overview of the tools we should be using to interpret Revelations, but he emphasised that Revelation 1:3 is the very place to Start: -  That you will be blessed to read it out loud, that you will be blessed to hear it read, and that you will be blessed to obey the commands written within it!     Or do you disagree with this teaching?  If so, Why?
5. Community Group Prayer:  it seems that the normal practice when small groups decide to pray that everyone lists of their needs and then we all take turns praying for different items on the “List”  I feel that there should be so much more to group prayer than just a “Shopping List” - What do you think small group prayer should look like?  
6. During corporate praise could the persons running the powerpoint be asked to advance to the next slide before the end of the current one: to paraphrase what I overheard Kevin Bishop say once: people can remember the last word of what they just saw but can’t read the next word of what they can’t see…

Q&A #125 - Donating kidneys, sin leading to death, Revelation on drugs and is God a man or woman?

1. Hi, I’m sure everyone has noticed the sign at the side of the road here in Airdrie that is asking for a kidney donation.  I remember a few years back there was a campaign started trying to get the general public to consider donating a kidney, there was a doctor who was in the news for donating one of his to a total stranger.  
What are your thoughts about encouraging followers of Christ to donate a kidney?  
What are your thoughts on the leadership of the church setting an example, maybe by requiring all the single male staff members to donate a kidney?? (Just Kidding!)
However this makes me think of how christians in the early centuries of the church were known for there sacrificial love in caring for people who were dying with the plague, when even the families of the plague victims would throw their very own out into the streets.  Often the christians caring for these sick would get the plague themselves!  Can you imagine bringing in a plague victim into your own house knowing that you or your children or your spouse may end up dying because of this?  Why doesn’t the love of Christ compel us to give freely of our lives?  Or at least compel “Me” to give freely of “My” life?  Personally I’ve never had general anaesthesia and I’m beyond terrified of the idea of any type of surgery, but realistically to give a kidney in our modern medical system is virtually no risk at all, yet history is full of people who freely gave their lives because the love of Christ compelled them to!  
2. 1 John 5:16-17 says that there is sin that does not lead to death, and sin that does lead to death. It also seems to say we should NOT pray for those that commit the sin that leads to death. What is that sin, and why shouldn't we pray for those who commit it?
3. I just read revelation for the first time and it seems like the author was super high on drugs when he wrote it. I tried to do some research on what it means and I get a million very different opinions. In the first chapter of Revelation it says that everyone who reads and understands it is blessed. How do I read and understand it?
4. Is God a man or a woman?

Q&A #124 - Punishing Brock, Fights, Floating rocks, Profanity, Exploring sex in marriage & 12 step programs

1. In the last episode everyone sounded really clear except for Brock, he sounded like you had him inside a tin can or an echo chamber! Were you punishing him? What was he being disciplined for?

2. Who would win in a fight, batman or superman

3. What year was Jesus born?

4. Years ago when I was a little boy I asked the girl next door to marry me. She picked up a rock and told me that if she threw it in the pond and it floated that she would marry me. I prayed REALLY hard but it sank. :-(
Theologically speaking, what do you think went wrong here? Thanks in advance.

5. For some reason I’ve become increasingly aware of how frequently “Jesus Christ” is said as people exhale in frustration. 
: A kid saying it on the playground when his play is interrupted. A grandmother saying it in frustration toward her granddaughter after she says she has to go pee. A coworker saying it every single time they are presented with even the tiniest challenge.
I realize most of them are not fully aware of what they are saying. I wish I could snap them awake in that moment and make them aware of their words. Explain to them how stupid it is to use a name as a curse and of all names the name of God. 
I feel it would be impossible for me to change what has become a cultural norm. 
Should I still say something? Should I let myself be bothered by this? Should I ignore it?
(It is likely you hear it less than I do as maybe when people know you are a pastor they become more aware of their words(?)

6. It seems the Bible talks more about what not to do in regard to sex than what healthy sex look like, and because of that I'm afraid I'm going to do something wrong with my spouse. My spouse wants to "explore" sexually, but I feel guilty and am worried we're going to sin. So what does the Bible say about healthy sex and what does that look like in today's world?

7. I know people who have gone through the "12 step" addiction recovery, and some have been successful long term. A big part of the program is to identify with your addiction, saying things like "I'm an alcoholic but I've been sober for 10 years". Now that I've been through soul care, it seems that identifying with your addiction or issue is very counter to what Jesus has to say, and he actually wants to bring us real freedom instead of continuing to identify with our issues.

Coming to this realization leads me to a few questions 1) Is the 12 step system just missing what Jesus taught or am I looking at it wrong? 2) Can a program like soul care offer practical addiction recovery in place of a program like 12 step? 3) new studies seem to show that 12 step is largely not successful, possibly around 5-10% success over the long term. If programs like soul care can offer an alternative, are there statistics being kept on its current success rates for "healing" and recovery so we know if it's effective long term?

Q&A #123 - Trials, Israel, sermons, judging, divorce, poor, IVF and Brock's Tattoo

1. Can you have just tribulations? Or do they always have to come with trials? Cause you only here about people having trials and tribulations, but never one or the other.
2. What is the church's stance on Israel? Does the church stand behind Israel or support it's boycotting? Is this a topic that is important to Living Springs?
3. Do you prefer topical vs expository sermons? Do you feel one style connects better with people than the other?
4. I heard that Rachel Held Evans died at the beginning of May and my initial reaction was that God must have been judging her for leading people astray. But now I kind of feel bad about thinking that way. What do I do with those feelings? What do you guys think about her ministry?
5. You mentioned a few weeks ago that we can forgive someone and still put up boundaries to prevent abuse in our relationships, and Jesus said that the only reason someone should get a divorce is because of infidelity. So is putting up boundaries that effectively force a divorce, even if you don't initiate the actual separation, a sin? Jesus didn't give any other exceptions to divorce that I can see so I don't see a biblical way to justify a divorce, regardless of abuse, unless one partner cheats.
6. Jesus said we have to take care of the poor and needy, however Ephesians 4:28 seems to indicate that if you can work you should. How can we take care of those who are poor because they are able to work and don't, or perpetually spend money unwisely, without enabling them to continue their unwise behaviour? To play my own devils advocate, almost everyone who is poor, is poor due to unwise behaviour of some sort, so if we didn't care for those who are unwise we probably wouldn't be caring for any of the poor at all. Given all this, how do we as Christians need to practically care for the poor?
7. In episode 121 you had a question about infertility and in vitro fertilization, and insemination from a sperm donor.  I want to start by saying that the following comments are in no way meant to diminish the pain that any couple dealing with infertility may be experiencing.  
In the episode it seemed that the general consensus was that the staff saw no problems with either in vitro fertilization, and insemination from a sperm donor.  
a. First question/comment: Do you believe that life begins at conception?  If you do, then how can you endorse IVF when so many embryos don’t live to the 5 day blastocyst (the stage of the embryo with the highest success of implantation and pregnancy), and then only about 40% of those implanted result in a live birth.  Or to put it more plainly: from the 15 eggs that they normally try to harvest, all of them are fertilized, but only about 5 will make it to the 5 day stage, if all five are eventually implanted then only about 2 of them will result in a live birth, that’s 13 deaths for 2 live babies.
b. Second question/comment: sperm collection centres offer pornography to the donors, and so sperm donation will typically involve masturbation with pornography.  I assume that there are possibly ways to ensure that the sperm collection is done without the use of pornography, but the sperm donation side of the infertility industry is legitimizing and encouraging the use of pornography under the guise of helping couples who are struggling with infertility .  What are your thoughts on this aspect of it?
8. 8 On a recent podcast I think I heard Brock mention that he had a tattoo saying: “What would Jesus Do”  
Does Brock have this as a tattoo and what does this saying mean to him?
Over the years most people I have met who bring up that question are overly simplistic in their idea of who Jesus is and what he would do.  Every time I hear “What would Jesus Do” I can’t help but remember the poster that says that we should remind those who ask “What Would Jesus Do”, that “Flipping over tables and Chasing people with a Whip is within the realm of possibilities”   Jesus often offended people, are we supposed to offend people too…  However in John 5:19 Jesus tell us that He can only do what He sees the Father doing.  So wouldn’t it be a better question to ask, “What would Jesus have me do?”    Of course I have no idea what is involved in editing a tattoo….

Q&A #122 - Q&A Live

1. My boss sometimes asks me to do something at work I believe is unethical. It's never anything huge, nothing against the law, but I don't know how to say no. If I say no I think my job might be on the line and I'm lucky to have a job right now. How do I handle these situations when he asks?
2. How do I stop a sin I don't like but can't stop? I keep hearing in church that God still loves me, but I don't feel like he does because I can't stop what I'm doing. How do I sort that out?
3. Mint Oreos or Double Stuff Oreos? Which is better?
4. Jesus seemed to model a life that was without a lot of material comforts, and the early church continued that, some of them even selling everything they had. How can we justify spending millions on a new building? Or even spending hundreds of thousands on a new family home when we could spend that money "on the needy" instead?
5. If our church building were to spontaneously combust, how would we realistically have church services until we could rebuild?
6. If I specify my tithe for the coffee ministry, can we get new coffee machines so the coffee is better on Sunday?
7. Is Living Springs planning to host an Alpha Course Introduction to Christianity? Is this course in the plan for the near future?
8. Is it time for a dress code for worship leaders , hosts and speakers?
9. How do you deal with contradictions in the bible? For example : Jesus and the fig tree And seeing a fig tree by the road, He [Jesus] came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again!” Immediately the fig tree withered away. (Matthew 21:19) Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” (Mark 11:20–21) Which is true?
10. If you could go to any sporting event of your choosing, what would it be? Money no object.
11. What happens when you die? Do you immediately go to heaven? Do you wait until Jesus returns?
12. I am working my way through the Old Testament and am curious why so much of Chronicles is a repeat of the books of Samuel and Kings? Thoughts?
13. Why should I abstain from sex before marriage?

Q&A #121 - Walking on water, singing, early church, bible's relevance, and non traditional pregnancy

1. Will you be recording and posting the live Q&A on May 30th to the app as well? I can’t make it but I’d love to hear it!
2. How did Jesus make Peter walk on the water?
3.  I came to this church and heard about this podcast and have a question why is there all the singing and why do people close there eyes its kind of weird.
4. I heard a sermon about how all the miracles and stories of sharing possessions in Acts were not the norm, but the highlights of the church, and that the reality of the early church wasn't much different than ours now. This makes me feel a bit better because when I read Acts I'm pretty uncomfortable with how much they sacrifice for each other and in comparison how little I sacrifice for those around me. What do you think about that view of acts?
5. The bible was written several thousand years ago in a time when things like the Internet, global economics and global warming were not in the realm of thought. Can it not be said that the bible needs to modernize to remain relevant? And if not, is Christian faith not at risk of dying?
6. My husband and I have been struggling to conceive and are wondering if there is any biblical wisdom as it relates to the options available through modern medicine, specifically IVF or sperm donors? In particular would a sperm donor be looked at as being unfaithful in any way since biologically our child would be mine and another man’s? Should we trust our inability to conceive is God’s way of saying that’s not his path for us? We know adoption is available as well and are considering that path too but wanted your insights on any biblical truths that may apply to the situation of getting pregnant in a non-traditional way.

Q&A #120 - Angels, budgets, sham and forgiveness

1. What would you think if you saw an angel appear right in front of you?
2. Doug I've heard you mention a budgeting app that you say is so successful and It seems more and more people I talk to at church are using it. Can you give a quick rundown on what you use and what makes it different than other apps?
3.  Proverbs‬ ‭25:21-22‬ ‭NLT “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.” Are you able to explain v.22 a bit? As Christians, why would we want to ‘heap burning coals of shame on their heads’, is there some cultural practice of the times that I’m missing or is it really saying that we’re to do good to our enemies to shame them?
4. Does forgiveness mean I have to let someone continue hurtful behaviour toward me? If I stop someone from hurting me and put up boundaries, isn't that just dwelling on what they've done in the past and not forgiving them?

Q&A #119 - Rocks, Friendship, speaking up, cultural norms in church, forbidden questions and Alberta Separation

1. Matthew 16:18 says "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.". Do you think he meant Peter or something else? ie. a play on words between Peter (Petros) and rock (Petra)
2. I struggle making new friends and going to church events with lots of people because I've been really hurt in the past in church social settings. How do I meet new people and go to ministry events and make sure I don't get hurt again?
3.  I have a close friend that is making some really poor decisions that are hurting them and their family. I want to say something but don't know how. Advice?
4. What cultural norms do you see church culture has adopted that are counter to Christ's message, and how do we change that as individuals?
5. Is there a question that you fear being asked?
6. Is there biblical advice for or against a follower of Christ supporting Alberta separation

Q&A #118 - Ostriches (again), Jesus' ascension, how to read the bible and Sabbath

1. Please elaborate on the ostrich story. Was it actually a live ostrich? If so, where did you get it and, how did the parents feel about you giving away an ostrich as a prize?!
2. (from a child) how did Jesus go to heaven in the sky? Could someone in a plane follow him?
3. The more I read the Bible, the more I feel like I need a university degree to understand it properly and take into account all the biblical cultures, the Greek and Hebrew, and all the theological ideas surrounding scripture. How can I read the Bible as an average person and properly understand anything I'm reading?
4. Do you guys keep a sabbath each week? If so what does it look like for you.