Coffee With Hales

Deconstructing | Love is a choice, not a feeling

I'm excited to close this series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture. I hope you enjoy these and are inspired to do your own research!

Deconstructing | My life is convenient, so God is real | OT Laws | Jesus's Forgiveness costs?

I'm excited to close this series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture. I hope you enjoy these and are inspired to do your own research!

Deconstruction | Violence In The Old Testament | 9

I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective.
My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture. 

Does Yahweh Permit Divination Practices In The Bible? | 8

I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture. When watching the deconstruction videos, I agree with the overall sentiment here. Duping people to equate an emotional high with being in the Lord’s presence or that feeling is the HS at work – happens, and that isn’t a Biblical foundation for a relationship with the Lord. And I believe this trend of seeking “God experiences” has led many people to leave the church.
 
SOURCES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7113WjuZbg&t=193s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-divination.html https://www.bethel.com/news/bethel-statement-regarding-christian-tarot-cards https://www.gotquestions.org/casting-lots.html

Deconstructing | Worship Through Sacrifice

In today’s episode, we continue our biblical response to the movement of deconstructing Christianity. We take a brief look at what worship of the Lord looked like in the Old Testament, and explore how sacrificial obedience remains a vital expression of worship for believers today.
 
I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective.
 
My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture.

Deconstructing | Manipulation Through Worship | 5

I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture.
When watching the deconstruction videos, I agree with the overall sentiment here. Duping people to equate an emotional high with being in the Lord’s presence or that feeling is the HS at work – happens, and that isn’t a Biblical foundation for a relationship with the Lord. And I feel this trend of seeking “God experiences” has caused many people to walk away from the church. But with that being said – While I do believe there are churches out there today intentionally manipulating people to have an experience they continually crave and come back for – equally there are many well intended churches who are just replicating what has been and is done in the modern day church with no ill-intention - So this is not blanket criticism of all churches – and all worship within the church.
If you are a part of a church, I’ll encourage you to listen to this with an open mind. Reflecting on your worship time and intention. Filter what I say with a Biblical perspective and see if it has credence, and if you think it does, make adjustments you feel are appropriate. Or maybe you’ll disagree and completely reject this, citing your Biblical evidence – either way – I feel in this series this idea has to be addressed – b/c in my research of deconstructing Christianity, this is a theme – walking away b/c they felt the church system was based on emotional manipulation with the goal to fill the seats.
Now although it’s engineered behind the scenes to evoke emotions -- this response is usually genuine to the worshiper – and that’s okay – HOWEVER when this experience is usually twisted into you NEED THAT feeling – b/c that feeling is God --- and THAT emotion is the HS – THAT experience is what you need to get to know the Lord – and you can only FIND that delicately curated connection with God in this specific environment and this specific church with the best musicians, musical instruments and aesthetics – that’s dangerous. We start to worship an experience, mistaking that for the Lord. It’s performative.

Your Calling In The New

Today we’re taking a quick break from our usual rhythm to dive into the book of Jeremiah—specifically chapter 1—and get practical about what it means to be called by God.
In this episode, we explore:✨ How God knows you deeply and personally—just like He knew Jeremiah and David (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139).✨ Why your calling isn’t cookie-cutter—it’s unique, intentional, and deeply rooted in Scripture.✨ The Biblical assignments we all share as believers, including making disciples, pursuing holiness, and living sacrificially.✨ How to apply those assignments in real life—whether you’re chatting at a toddler music class or encouraging your barista.✨ What to do when you feel too young, unqualified, or afraid—just like Jeremiah did (Jeremiah 1:6-8).
We also take a practical look at 1 Timothy 4:12 and the character traits we should be developing: Speech | Conduct | Love | Faith | Purity
Plus—some reflective questions for your walk:
What biblical assignments apply to your current season?
How are you doing ministry in your everyday life?
What “newness” might God be calling you into?
God is a God of newness. He’s inviting you to grow, to trust, and to walk boldly into the calling He’s placed on your life—even if it looks different than you expected.
#BibleStudy #Jeremiah1 #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #DailyMinistry #FaithInAction

Deconstruct | We Are One With God | Heaven Is Within Us | Ep 4

We Are One With God | Heaven Is Within Us
I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture.

Deconstruct | Substitutionary Atonement” is never stated by Jesus | Ep 3

I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture.

Deconstruction | No Sin Nature | Sinless Christians | Ep 2

I'm excited to kick off this new series on the topic of faith deconstruction. Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos using hashtags like #deconstructingevangelicalism and #exvangelical—and I have to admit, many of the arguments were compelling. As my curiosity grew, I realized I was fully invested in exploring this further. In this series, I'll do my best to address these criticisms—many of which are legitimate—through a biblical perspective. My hope is that this journey inspires you to roll up your sleeves and thoughtfully engage with these topics through the lens of Scripture.
 
RESEARCH: https://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/john-epistles/1john_03_09-10a_no-one-born-of-god-sins.htm https://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/john-epistles/1john_03_04-10_sinless-christians.htm https://www.gotquestions.org/continue-to-sin.html https://www.gotquestions.org/sinless-perfection.html https://www.ukessays.com/essays/religion/issue-of-interpretation-in-1-john-36-10.php https://www.gotquestions.org/lordship-salvation.html https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLapQvIPg4Y/ https://www.gotquestions.org/does-sin-separate-us-from-God.html https://www.amazon.com/Books-Enoch-Watchers-Extensive-Commentary/dp/1936533073/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=book+of+enoch&qid=1574887810&sr=8-6&linkCode=sl1&tag=pointsouth-20&linkId=3f9b043de860d87c034278c4c71a82b1&language=en_US