Thoughts More »
It’s Not Only Athletes: What Platform Has God Given You?
Last spring I had the privilege of speaking at a conference for NFL players put on by Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO), a group which exists to unite a community of pro athletes and couples to grow as disciples of Jesus and positively impact their spheres of influence. They have a fantastic outreach to professional football and baseball athletes and their wives. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing difference they’re making.
In the off-season I exchanged emails and texts with dozens of NFL players and cha..
Daily Verses More »
Philippians 1:3 (02-14-17)
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…
— Philippians 1:3 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse…
Certain people are blessings. It doesn't matter if we visit with them on the phone, get an encouraging email, receive a hand-written letter, or see them face to face. Any time we remember them, we thank God for them. So let's follow Paul's example and let them know they give us reasons to offer thanks to God.
My Prayer…
Loving LORD, thank you for… (pl..
Hope More »
God’s Love Is Deep Enough
God’s Love Is Deep Enough
By Rick Warren
— March 20, 2017
“The Lord reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters” (Psalm 18:16 TEV)
There are times when we all think, “I’m going under for the last time! I’m about to sink!” But no matter how deep you are, God’s love is deeper than your problem.
Corrie ten Boom and Betsy ten Boom were Christians who lived in the Netherlands during Word War II. They hid Jews in their home to protect them from the Nazis. ..
Daily Wisdom More »
Pray For Our Leaders
1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 NASB
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers,
petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may
lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Praying for our leaders is not a useless ritual. God would not
tell us to do something in His Word, unless it would make a
difference.
Sometimes, when bad things happen, people ask why God allowed
them to happen. But we should be ask..
Prayers More »
Abounding in Hope
PassageRomans 15:1-13
PrayerDear Father, who welcomes all into your family,Help us to welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed us, for your glory.For you taught us that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show your truthfulness – in order to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, and in order that we who were not Jews might glorify you for your mercy.May you, our Father and God, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound ..
Christian Quotes More »
Betz: faith over sight
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Commemoration of Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189
Meditation:
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
—John 20:27-29 (NIV)
Quotation:
Jesus was the representative of the Lord wh..
Questions & Answers More »
It Takes a Platform to Influence a Culture
Justin Brierley once wrote a blog post at Christian Apologetics UK (“Forget Dawkins – Derren Brown is now the UK’s most influential atheist”) describing the influence of Derren Brown, an entertainer, illusionist and mentalist who has performed on television and in live venues. Brown spent some of his teenage years in a Charismatic church, but is now an advocate for atheism. Brierley made some important points that illustrate the importance of having a “platform” in order in influence a culture. ..
Church & Ministries More »
Pope Francis Condemns Christian Hypocrisy, Says It’s ‘Better To Be An Atheist’
'Scandal destroys' said the Pope yesterday, calling Catholics not to live 'a double life', and urging them not to put off conversion.
Evangelism and Missions More »
The Great Wall Review: A Boundary-Shifting Movie That Might Get Donald Trump Worried
It would perhaps be a bit lazy of me to suggest that a blockbuster movie about a giant wall constructed to keep out aliens couldn't be more timely.
Hot Topics More »
Debating Atheists: Arrival of Jesus (part 5/5)
#4 The Arrival of Jesus
Ancient history is a funny thing. We depend on the information, but no one was there to see it. Historians meet this challenge with the standard method of historiography.
Historiography is scientific in a sense, albeit different than the hard sciences like physics and chemistry. In both cases, absolute certainty still evades us. Historians seek only to identify what events are more likely than not to have happened. Famous religion skeptic Bart Ehrman says human events t..
Women More »
The Secret to Finding and Keeping Friends
The Secret to Finding and Keeping Friends
“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!” (Luke 6:31)
Okay, here it is—this is the secret to finding and keeping lasting friendships: become women who want to see the women around them flourish. They have a word for that in Hebrew—it’s shalom. But not shalom like you might think. Not the overused, under-appreciated translation that we’re so used to throwin..
Life & Society More »
U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Hear Appeal Over Ban on Helping Youth Struggling With Homosexuality
WASHINGTON — A religious rights organization has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal regarding California’s ban on “conversion therapy” and counseling youth to resist romantic desires toward the same sex.
“SB 1172 directly violates the fundamental constitutional right to privacy in that it prohibits minors from defining their own existence. The law prevents minors from accessing mental health services and spiritual mentoring that would assist them in diminishing same-sex attract..
Persecution More »
China’s New Policy Expected to Lead to More Religious Persecution
Photo Credit: Bibles for China(China Aid/Morning Star News) – China Aid’s 2016 Annual Persecution Report details a seismic shift in the Chinese government’s approach to religious policy that is expected to lead to further persecution.
The report’s core subject tracks a deviation in the Chinese government’s ideological approach to religious management. During the National Conference of Religious Work held in April 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of religions “persist..
World More »
Bible Left Untouched And Unmoved After Powerful Tornado Rips Through Christian University In Mississippi
Powerful tornadoes ripped through southern Mississippi late last month, bringing death and destruction to many places.
American More »
Woman Complains About Body Image Issues After Late-Term Abortion of Girl With Spina Bifida
Missouri mom Jessica McCoy had a late-term abortion a few months ago after learning that her unborn daughter had spina bifida and a chromosomal abnormality.
The mother of three born children has been sharing about her abortion publicly, both describing her grief at the loss of her daughter and justifying her decision to have her unborn daughter killed because of the girl’s disabilities.
Several women’s publications picked up McCoy’s story this week after she posted photos on Instagram describi..
Australia More »
Bringing them up in the Lord
BIBLE SOCIETY NEWS
Wednesday 21 December 2016
About 60 million children in China are “left behind” in their home villages, to be looked after by their grandparents or relatives because their parents are trying to find work in cities.
This enormous group of neglected children – more than a quarter of the 215 million children in China – is in great need of hope, encouragement and care.
These “left-behind” children are highly vulnerable to serious crimes such as sexual abuse and assault and suff..
Law & Government More »
Men With Scabies Arrested After Committing Homosexual Sex Act on Display Bed at Bed Bath & Beyond
(NorthJersey.com) – Two men were arrested and charged with engaging in lewd behavior on a display bed at Bed Bath & Beyond during regular business hours.
Police officers responded to the Route 3 Riverfront shopping center at 5 p.m. Monday on a report from a witness that two men were engaged in a sex act, records show.
Police arrested two 28-year-old men, one from Nutley and the other from North Carolina. Both were charged with lewdness, criminal mischief and possession of marijuana, according ..
Entertainment More »
Martin Scorsese talks Spirituality and Silence
Comment countSilence was one of the most provocative, moving bits of cinema I saw last year. It’s complex and murky and inspiring and troubling and beautiful–all of which, in a way, reflects how I interact with faith itself. Perhaps, when we attempt to understand and embrace the transcendent, it can be no other way.
The movie is arguably one of Martin Scorsese’s most overtly religious works. But as many have noted, almost every movie that Scorsese has ever done is about, in some way, faith.
Scor..
Health and Science More »
Is Genesis History? New Film Affirms Truthfulness of Biblical Record
A soon-to-be-released documentary-style film, featuring footage from around the U.S. and interviews with over a dozen scholars and scientists, will provide visual evidence and scientific arguments for the Bible’s accounts of Creation and the Flood.
On February 23, hundreds of movie theaters across the U.S. will participate in a one-night showing of the film “Is Genesis History?” The film, produced by Compass Cinema and structured as a documentary, features interviews with respected Christian sc..
US More »
The Superbowl and vocation
The Superbowl is this weekend, time for the obligatory polls about whether or not God gets involved in the outcome of sporting events. One-quarter of Americans believe that he does. About a half believe that God rewards faithful athletes with health and success.
Certainly, the easy answer is that of course God doesn’t care about a sporting event because He has much more important things to do. But if God attends to the fall of a sparrow, why wouldn’t He attend to the fall of a pigskin?
The real ..
Church & Theology More »
Salvation by “Faith” Alone or “Allegiance” Alone?
Follow @BrandonSmith85
If you spend any time talking to me about the Trinity, you’ll know that I’m quick to recommend Matthew Bates’s book, The Birth of the Trinity. This book received wide acclaim from various tribes, and it’s on many people’s lists of go-to works on the Trinity and the early church. His new book, however, is getting a little more heat. I was provided a review copy of the book, and it’s certainly worth dealing with—whether one ends up agreeing with Bates’s proposal or not.
In S..
Finance More »
Creative Giving Ideas: 10 Better Ways to Give
Have you ever given a gift and it just didn’t have the effect you desired?
Maybe you’ve given one too many gift cards and you’re ready for something different – something creative!
There are better ways you can give – the Bible even has something to say about it! Below are some better ways you can give and make someone’s day! Whether you are giving to a stranger or someone you know, they’ll be sure to love these gift ideas.
1. Send a plain white card with one compliment inside.The simplicity of ..