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..Continue reading→
Home
Thoughts
Motherhood Is a Marathon
I wanted to do great things for God. In the spring of my senior year of college, on the brink of embarking upon my own journey into adulthood, my future was undecided and that was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling. As a philosophy major, my path was narrower than I had realized, but I was sure it would take me on some grand and glorious adventure. I knew the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. “Glorify” sounds like such a grand term. It evokes images of battlefie..Continue reading→
1 Peter 5:7–8: How Not to Battle Anxiety
Anxieties attack our faith and torment our peace. The question with anxiety is not whether it will come, but rather, how can I fight it when it does? Watch NowContinue reading→
Is Love of Money Really the Root of All Evils?
Is the love of money the “root of all evils” or only the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)? “All evils” is the formal English equivalent of the original Greek (pantōn tōn kakōn). It is remarkable that all older versions of the Bible translate 1 Timothy 6:10 in the more literal way: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (or all evil). This includes the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, Douay-Rheims, Darby Bible, and Revised Standard Version. Bu..Continue reading→
Daily Verses
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”Continue reading→
Nehemiah 12:30 (12-30-16)
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.— Nehemiah 12:30 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... God has placed each of us in a circle of influence. Before we try to "clean up" those around us, let's first offer ourselves to God to be consecrated and to be made pure by his grace. Then, let's live in a way that shows the impact of that holiness in our lives. Jesus told us to remove the plank from our own eye befor..Continue reading→
Just Think on Jesus!
[He] loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. Revelation 1:5b, NIVJesus is the most important Man, not just in our nation, not just on planet earth, but in the entire universe! And He isn’t important just for four years or eight years, but forever and ever and ever! Furthermore, the most important Man in the universe thinks I am so important, He gave His own life for me! How can I feel depressed by the smallness of my life when the most important Man in the universe died for me, rul..Continue reading→
John 16:33
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””Continue reading→
Matthew 12:29 (12-29-16)
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.— Matthew 12:29 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus is quoting a general truism that was popular in his day, but was using the "strong man" saying to refer to Satan. Satan is the strong man that had us bound by sin and death and Jesus broke into house and stole us back because he could bind the strong man. He did this by becoming h..Continue reading→
Daily Wisdom
Amos 5:14-15
“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.”Continue reading→
Lamentations 3:22-23 (01-07-17)
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed , because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.— Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... What sustained you through the night? What will get you through today? What will enable you to achieve, even thrive, in the days that lie ahead? The LORD's mercies. These incredible resources never really run out! Each new day brings a fresh supply of them. God is faithful to..Continue reading→
Life-Giving Power
Your word has given me life. Psalm 119:50, NKJVSometimes when we are depressed, we feel lifeless. It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning. We seem to have no energy to do even the most routine functions. If you are depressed by the greatness of your problems, read God’s Word! That’s where you find help. That’s where you find joy. Let the rushing waters of the living Word drown out all other sounds and voices. There is life-giving power in the Word of God! At the most difficult times in my li..Continue reading→
Ephesians 5:1-2
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”Continue reading→
Prayers
Daily Prayer for January 1
This, then, is how you should pray:“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9–10, NIV Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as in heaven. May this continue to be our prayer in the new year, and may we find fellowship with one another in what is eternal and holy. Bless us on our way. Bless us on our earthly pilgrimage so that we may remain free from all..Continue reading→
Partners in Christ
PassagePhilemon 17-25 PrayerFather of mercy,Holy God and Father, have mercy and show kindness to those who are in bondage - those who are in prison, those who are enslaved to other people, and those who are enslaved to self and to sin.Teach us to show genuine hospitality to each other, never keeping score or grumbling, understanding that you, Father, are freely entertaining us in your house, the earth, and feeding us at your table with its bounty. Fill our hearts with love for our brethren and o..Continue reading→
Daily Prayer for December 31
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:25–27, NIV Lord our God, thank you for letting your light shine every day of every year. Thank you that we may always lift our eyes to you, whose right hand will bring true order to everything, even..Continue reading→
Filling the Earth with God’s Goodness
PassagePhilemon 1-16 PrayerDear Father, bestower of freedom,Thank you for the love and the faith which you have put in your people. Please help them share this with each other and with the world. Let this promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ Jesus. Put such joy in our hearts and such gladness on our faces that people will want to know what makes us happy.Help each of us to render such help and comfort, expressing our love, that the hearts of all your holy people will be r..Continue reading→
Questions & Answers
5 Prayers For Protection Against Satanic Attacks
Here are five prayers you can use when you feel like Satan or his demons are attacking you. Prayer for Guilt Attacks Oh Father, I know that You forgive all of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1st John 1:9), but sometimes I believe the enemy or one of his demons can send waves of guilt at me. Help me to trust You in the midst of this guilt that is trying to rob my joy. I know that I have trusted in Christ and now there is no more condemnation (Rom 8:1), but the enemy sometimes..Continue reading→
Accessibility As An Apologetic Aim
OK, now that I’ve embarrassed myself by writing a title for this post that brutalizes the letter “A” with reckless abandon, let me tell you that I believe this sentence to be true. Accessibility is always my personal goal as a Christian Case Maker, and I’ve tried my best to write books that are, first and foremost, accessible. I hope the accessibility of y books is more than simply be a consequence of my own intellectual simplicity; I make a conscious effort to write books that are engaging, str..Continue reading→
How Do Christians View Human Cloning?
How should Christians feel about human cloning? What is Cloning? In short, cloning is the process of producing similar genetic populations of identical individuals. Scientists argue that this is a process that takes place in nature, so why not in human beings? By creating copies of DNA fragments, scientists have said that they are only doing what naturally occurs in nature’s organisms, and that this “reproduction” has allowed life forms to spread throughout the earth, but they are mistaken. The..Continue reading→
Rapid Responses to Difficult Questions – Part 1 (Cold Case Christianity Broadcast #76)
In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast, J. Warner Wallace provides a short, conversational response to two questions (or objections) related to Christianity. J. Warner responds to the question, “Who created God?” and the claim, “I can’t believe in God because I have too many unanswered questions.” Here is the audio podcast (the Cold-Case Christianity Weekly Podcast is located on iTunes or our RSS Feed):Continue reading→
Church & Ministries
Hillsong’s Brian Houston on Why It’s Important for Christians to Praise God Not Just on Sundays
A lot of Christians dutifully go to church every Sunday and worship God to their hearts' content. But Hillsong senior pastor Brian Houston believes praising God should not be limited to just Sunday, but every day of the week as well.Continue reading→
How the Church Can Experience Revival Today
Most Christians I know want the church to experience revival. We just don’t all agree on what revival looks like. Back in the olden days (the mid-1990’s) I preached a few times at a small church (averaging 12 each Sunday) in eastern Arkansas. They had a rotation system that determined who would take the visiting speaker home for lunch, and one day my lot fell to two elderly ladies who made awesome roast beef! As I sat in their living room visiting after lunch, they brought out some photo album..Continue reading→
Who Is The Christian Philosopher-Priest Appointed To Head Opus Dei?
Pope Francis last night confirmed the election of a new leader of the mysterious lay Catholic organisation Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocariz Braña.Continue reading→
Beware the Temptation of Power
I had been in ministry long enough to hear the stories. It’s a familiar narrative these days: pastors disqualified from ministry due to moral failure. For years I had listened to devastating tales of infidelity and broken families in the lives of fellow pastors. My immediate reaction, in all honesty, was typically swift judgment. I mentally distanced myself from such pastors, believing I was cut from a different sort of spiritual cloth than such sinners. How on earth could this happen? How could..Continue reading→
Hot Topics
Of Good Works
So, one danger is to trust in our strength rather than the power of the Holy Spirit to do good works. The second danger is the opposite: becoming complacent in our pursuit of good works by waiting for a special impetus or ‘stirring up’ by the Holy Spirit. But, the Lord has already told us in His Word what He requires of us (Micah 6:8). Indeed, we are to diligently add to our faith such things as moral excellence, knowledge of God’s Word, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness,..Continue reading→
Compassion Has ‘Very Little Hope’ for India, Sets Deadline to Shut Down Sponsorships
One week after sharing the good news of four nations no longer needing child sponsors due to the passion of millennials, the ministry shared the bad news of another nation that will probably not need child sponsors due to government interference. A little more than a year after the Indian government told Compassion that it could no longer receive funding from outside the subcontinent, the humanitarian organization will likely be closing its last operations there. “We want to be honest with you,..Continue reading→
One of the Marks: Christian Discipline
Now, not every church disciplines unrepentant sinners. Some churches are ignorant of Christ’s command, others are afraid to discipline because it might mean people leave. Still others think God will sort it all out so the church shouldn’t worry about it. However, no matter how difficult it is, no matter if it means people leave, the call of Christ is clear: unrepentant sinners must be reubked and disciplined (Mt. 18:17). One of the three marks of a true Christian church is discipline. That is,..Continue reading→
enGendered
Andreades compares male headship to the authority of the Father. As he teaches equality and asymmetry, he points to the authority and submission within the Trinity, never making any distinction ontologically. He speaks of “Christ lean[ing] into the asymmetry between God the First and Himself” while quoting the references of him doing the Father’s will (184). Andreades even goes so far as to say that “Christ, in relationship to God the First, models the wife for us. He submitted to the will of th..Continue reading→
Women
Timehop Helps Me See God’s Providence
How a social media app reminds me of God’s faithfulness in my life. It’s six a.m. and my smartphone is dotted with notifications. Like eager tour guides lined up in an airport arrivals hall, social media would like to usher me down memory lane. Facebook reminds me of “memories,” Google photos invites me to “rediscover this day,” and Timehop has a bundle of snapshots collated from Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Facebook, and my camera roll from this day one year ago or more. On Thursdays, frien..Continue reading→
How Grandparenting Redeemed Our Family
This Father’s Day, I celebrate my parents’ choice to move close to my kids. “We’re playing huckle-buckle-beanstalk!” My six-year-old beamed at me, bouncing on the balls of her feet. My younger daughter skipped around the living room. In the kitchen, my mother pulled a small, plastic princess doll out of the sugar canister and dusted off the toy. “I found her!” she called out, laughing. I stood in the doorway smiling, even though I’d never heard of the game before. My mother walked over to greet..Continue reading→
My Marriage to an Undocumented Immigrant
I lived with the threat of my husband’s deportation. Here’s what I learned about immigration. We were on our third date when Billy told me—hinted, really—that he was an undocumented immigrant from Central America. I remember thinking, "Well, that's not ideal." Truth was, I had no idea what that admission really meant. I was a Kentucky girl who'd recently relocated to Los Angeles. I vaguely knew that immigration was “an issue," but I didn't pretend to have a working knowledge of t..Continue reading→
How to Keep Your Friends When Life Happens
Busy moms, long-distance besties, workaholics: There’s hope for you. Who are my friends? With countless social media connections and the demands of family and kids—as well as career, church, and other commitments vying for time—we often find it hard to identify and maintain solid friendships. In addition, younger adults move around more and stay single for longer than past generations did, making friendships both a greater necessity as well as a greater challenge. I recently spoke with Wheato..Continue reading→
Life & Society
Men Who Accused Bishop Eddie Long of Sexual Misconduct Speak About His Death
Four men forever changed the life of the late Bishop Eddie Long after they came forward more than five years ago and accused the well-loved Christian figure of sexual coercion.Continue reading→
Iowa Rep. Introduces Federal Bill to Ban Abortion When Heartbeat Detected
WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman from Iowa has introduced a federal bill that would ban abortions when a heartbeat is detected, with the exception of the life of the mother. Rep. Steve King submitted the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017 on Thursday, a move that would criminalize abortions committed on children with beating hearts. “Any physician who knowingly performs an abortion and thereby kills a human fetus without determining, according to standard medical practice, whether the fetus..Continue reading→
South Carolina Troopers to Cease Giving Christian Book to Grieving Families Following Complaint
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Troopers in South Carolina will no longer give a Christian book to residents grieving the loss of a loved one following receipt of a complaint on behalf of an atheist woman who was gifted a copy of the publication. “We regret that any family member would have misunderstood our intentions or was offended by our effort to offer compassion during such a difficult time,” Sherri Iacobelli, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Safety, told reporters. “Since this concern ..Continue reading→
Nation’s First Female Somali-American Muslim Lawmaker Takes Oath on Koran
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Somali-American woman who identifies as a Muslim recently took her oath of office on the Koran instead of the Bible. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in November, beating her Republican opponent, Abdimalik Askar, by 61 percent. Her election marked the first female Somali-American selected to serve as a legislator. “We will never stop fighting for a democracy that works for all of us—for a prosperous and equitable Minnesota that w..Continue reading→
Movies
THE YOUNG MESSIAH in a World on Fire
Who has time to answer a child’s questions amidst racial strife, religious conflict, and a refugee crisis? There is so much uncertainty and anger surrounding our search for a new leader, threats can lead to violence at any moment. And if we fail to see the parallels being the tumultuous ancient world that Jesus entered and our context today, then we’ve missed the poignant, life affirming point of the captivating new movie, The Young Messiah. Opening in movie theaters this weekend, The Young Mess..Continue reading→
RISEN Dares to Dabble in Mystery
The Greatest Story Ever Told is also one of the most oft told cinematic tales. So how can filmmakers bring a fresh take to Jesus’ death and resurrection? Directors often succumb to the digital temptation of bigger, louder, faster in an effort to instill faith in their audiences. Unfortunately, relying on spectacle only builds fascination with the special effects. Risen restores my faith in the Gospel film by doing the hard work of finding a new angle. It places us within the dramatic moment when..Continue reading→
Does the Arc In Hollywood Bend Towards Justice?
Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Patheos Public Square. This month we’re asking: Has Hollywood Become Our National Conscience? Read other perspectives here. While some decry the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an exclusive club deserving an #OscarsSoWhite label, others see it pushing a liberal agenda through every ribbon displayed at the annual Academy Awards. Given the conservative nature of the economic decision-making in Hollywood, the truth resides somewhere in betwe..Continue reading→
Faith-based drama ‘The Reconciler’ being released
Justice Pictures and IMD Films are releasing the Dove Foundation approved film, “The Reconciler,” which includes the first appearance of Canadian professional wrestler and actor Roddy Piper in a film since his passing on July 30, 2015. “The Reconciler” also stars Sherry Morris of “The Book of Ruth.” The film is now available in all Walmart stores through an exclusive agreement with Black Wolf Media Group and Origin Releasin..Continue reading→
SPOTLIGHT: No More Silent Nights
Spotlight is a throwback to the golden age of seventies cinema. It is a whip smart tribute to investigative journalism, rooted in character and grounded in a world where the most special effect is human emotion. Spotlight follows the tireless efforts of a team of reporters from The Boston Globe to uncover the sexual abuse perpetrated by far too many Roman Catholic priests. The most disturbing revelations in this true story involve the systematic cover up by Cardinal Bernard Law and the Boston Ar..Continue reading→
ROOM: Expanding Our Empathy
Heartache is an interesting condition. It is usually associated with romance, when break ups lead to heartbreak. So what should we call a situation where you find yourself rooting so hard for someone else’s happiness, that their trials and tribulations make your heart ache? Room is both harrowing and heroic. It places a heavy burden upon its characters and thanks to superb acting, writing and directing, transfers that weight to the audience. Emma Donoghue adapted her award-winning novel to what ..Continue reading→
Faith-based historical football drama “Woodlawn” coming to theaters nationwide
A faith-based period drama with a modern-day purpose and explosive sports action is headed to theaters nationwide October 16, 2015. WOODLAWN, is said to be an exhilarating high school football story about revival and reconciliation, offering hope for overcoming the racial crises facing America today. The movie, an Erwin Brothers film produced by Kevin Downes, tells the true-life story of Ton..Continue reading→
“One Generation Away” film tour visits the frontlines of religious liberty issues
“One Generation Away” is a fast-paced film that travels the United States (and Europe) in search of a deeper understanding of the religious freedom clauses in the Constitution’s First Amendment. From Hobby Lobby to the Mt. Soledad Cross in San Diego to wedding service providers in the Northwest, “One Generation Away” asks hard questions about the status of religious liberty in America toda..Continue reading→
Inside Out (2015)
Take a deep dive into your own head. Do an archaeological dig. Work your way all the way to the center. What do you find? Core memories. Foundational impressions. The moments that made you. Me? Mine are almost all related to creativity: – Reading books — fairy tales and fantasy, mostly. – Writing and illustrating my own fantasy stories with crayons, and then learning how to type out the words with my index finger on a typewriter. – Drawing pictures on church bulletins during church while my mom softly shushed me. – Opening presents on Christmas morning at my grandparents’ house, and discovering that my grandfather has built me my very own puppet stage. – Hanging out with my dad while he read theology books and graded high school students’ papers all evening. – Playing basketball in the backyard all by myself, inventing new variations on the game, and pretending to be every player on opposing teams as I acted out whole games. – Watching Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on the bi..Continue reading→
Music
The Chapel Band Releases ‘The Gathering’
Pop worship team, Chapel Band is proud to release their new album, The Gathering. After recently signing with DREAM Worship, the group quickly went into the studio to finish amazingly powerful pop live album. The songs of this revival were penned by the young worshipers of Chapel Band who had poured into this movement and were beginning to see all they had prayed and longed for. The songs on the album have become anthems over the nation in their hometown in Ireland. Check out their new song, "A..Continue reading→
Pop Artist Julianna Zobrist’s Husband Ben Named World Series MVP
Last night in game 7 of the World Series with the score tied in the top of the 10th inning, it was pop artist Julianna Zobrist's husband Ben who saved the day with a go-ahead double that sent in two runs and led the Chicago Cubs to a 8-6 victory over the Indians and their first World Series win since 1908. Zobrist was named MPV of the World Series (the first player in Chicago Cubs history to have that honor since the award wasn't established until 1955) for his "curse-breaking" hit.Continue reading→
The City Harmonic To Part Ways Summer 2017
This morning The City Harmonic made the announcement that they would be parting ways come summer 2017. The difficult announcement was partnered with the promise of a final tour next year and a unique worship album recorded during that time. The City Harmonic will be hosting a Facebook Live Event on Saturday, Nov. 5, beginning at 700 pm EDT. Fans friends of the band who would love to talk more about the announcements by the band in the letter below are invited to participate during this live even..Continue reading→
Newsboys Shine Spotlight On Heroes
GRAMMY®-nominated, Platinum®-selling Newsboys brought their blockbuster "Love Riot Tour" to a capacity audience at Nashville's Curb Event Center Friday night, with the band's hometown concert also serving as a benefit for the Guardian for Heroes Foundation. Established by late U.S. Navy SEAL and "American Sniper" Chris Kyle, the organization assists combat veterans transitioning to post-military life. During the evening, Guardi..Continue reading→
Ron Block And Jeff Taylor Visit World-Famous WSM Radio
Multi GRAMMY®-winner Ron Block and GRAMMY®-nominee Jeff Taylor stopped by Nashville's world-famous 650 AM WSM Radio earlier this week to share selections from their collaborative debut, Trouble Go Down, which bows today. The virtuosos joined legendary host Bill Cody and producer Charlie Mattos on the "Coffee, Country and Cody" morning show, heard around the globe on WSM Radio and online, as well as broadcast to television audiences via The Heartland Network. Continue reading→
Integrity Music Releases ‘Majesty In A Manger’
Committed to resourcing churches with songs of substance for every service need, Integrity Music announces the global release of Majesty In A Manger, a new worship album for the Christmas season. Produced by Dove Award winner Michael Farren (AllAboutWorship) and Daniel Kinner (Mandisa/Royal Tailor), the album features 11 tracks including new songs and an instrumental. "The Advent season brings some challenges to most wor..Continue reading→
The Creepier EP…er by Relient K
Track Listing 01. The Halloween Blues 02. The Cup 03. Halloween in Owatonna Continue reading→
I’m Not Ashamed – Single by Jeremy Camp
Track Listing 01. I'm Not AshamedContinue reading→
Galaxies by The Digital Age
Track Listing 01. I Can See It's Coming... 02. One Pursuit 03. Undivided 04. I Belong 05. From a Great Distance... 06. How Sweet It Is 07. Galaxies 08. Kingdom Come 09. Everything Is Bright... 10. Awake, Sleeper 11. People of the Cross 12. If I Have You 13. And I Cannot Look Away. 14. Heroes (Light Up the Sky) 15. We've Got Joy 16. Epilogue (A Prayer for Jordan) Continue reading→
American
Heartbreaking Video Shows You What 58 Million Babies Killed in Abortion Looks Like
Pro-lifers are nothing if not creative. Over the decades, they have produced thousands upon thousands of “visual aids,” from the simplest black and white one-sheeter to full-blown movies—and everything in-between. The common denominator is—to adapt a cliché—to help the public get its collective head around both the humanity we share with the unborn child and the sheer magnitude of the loss of lives since January 22, 1973. Although I scribble for a living, I really do believe a picture–or in th..
Good Deed of the Month
Kim Norvell: JOHNSTON, Iowa — An anonymous donor has paid off lunch debts for 148 Johnston elementary school students whose accounts were in the red by $10 or more. The donation, totaling $13,250, was made Jan. 9. It benefited students in kindergarten through fifth grade in all five Johnston elementary schools, said Laura Sprague, director of communications. “This donation is quite critical for families who need some extra help,” she said. ” … When the belly is full, the kids can have a much bet..
World Vision Letter to President Trump
Dear President Trump and Vice President Pence, As evangelical Christians, we are guided by the Bible to be particularly concerned for the plight of refugees, individuals who have been forced to flee their countries because of the threat of persecution. Evangelical churches and ministries have long played a key role in welcoming, resettling, and assisting in the integration of refugees from various parts of the world. As such, we are troubled by the recent executive order temporarily halting refu..
Why Be Anglican: Prayers of the People
No question about it, but in many churches there is not a designated time for the people to pray. Some churches are just too big for that, and even too big for a pastoral prayer. Others are so focused on the sermon that there is not time left for what we Anglicans call the “prayers of the people.” In our liturgy, every Sunday, we have a time where we are led by a lay person in prayer. It’s called “intercession” or “intercessory prayers” when we pray for others, and when we do it in public it nee..
Entertainment
Watch the Trailer for ‘When The Game Stands Tall’
When the Game Stands Tall opens in theaters everywhere Friday.
Zach Bates Is Engaged!
Man, has it been a busy fall for relationships with kids from huge reality TV families! Jessa Duggar is the first Duggar daughter to enter courtship, which means she should be getting engaged fairly soon unless something major happens, and Erin Bates and Chad Paine are getting hitched in November. But Erin isn’t the only Bates kid settling down – her brother Zach Bates just proposed to his girlfriend Whitney. As is typical with the Bates clan, mom Kelly Bates announced the big news on the family..
US
Gift ideas: Reading Romans with Luther
Let’s start a series of posts on ideas for Christmas presents! Here is a good one: Reading Romans with Luther. It’s by R. J. Grunewald, a sometime commenter here at the Cranach blog. Luther’s greatest theological works are his commentaries on Scripture, such was his concern to adhere closely to the text of God’s Word. One of his greatest works is his commentary on Romans, the epistle in which St. Paul explores the Gospel of salvation through the work of Christ in its depths. Here is the Law & Go..
Problems with the EXXON CEO as Secretary of State
(3) The appearance of plutocracy. There are people on both the left and the right who say that our democracy is a sham because our country is really run by the big corporations. Trump’s packing his cabinet with billionaires, Wall Street tycoons, and corporation CEOs plays right into that.Trump hammered Hillary Clinton for giving speeches to Goldman-Sachs. But he has appointed three Goldman-Sachs executives to his administration. He owes his election to blue-collar workers the Democrats have igno..
Update on Ohio’s anti-abortion bills
The Ohio state legislature has passed two abortion bills that Gov. John Kasich has now acted on. He refused to sign the “heartbeat bill,” which would have banned abortion after the developing child’s heart begins to beat. That can be as early as six weeks, which is before many women even realize they are pregnant. Kasich said that bill would certainly have been struck down by the courts. That’s probably right, but that the child develops such a universal sign of life so early should surely tell ..
Hotels without Gideon Bibles
The Gideons do great work in distributing Bibles. For many decades, virtually every hotel room had a Gideon Bible on the nightstand or in a drawer. But today, less than half do. A survey has found that only 46% of American hotel rooms include religious material. Ten years ago, nearly three-quarters did. Of course, what the Christian Gideons did, representatives of other religions did. Hotels that have Bibles in the rooms often also have Books of Mormon. I suspect that the decline of hotel Bibles..