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→
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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→
Hot Topics
Military’s Highest Court Denies Marine’s Religious Liberty Claim
In the majority opinion, the judges noted that because Sterling did not indicate until during her trial that the signs had any religious significance to her, the words on the signs could have been interpreted as being “combative in tone.” They concluded the order to remove the signs was valid and did not place a “substantial burden” on her exercise of religion. But in a dissenting opinion, Judge Kevin A. Ohlson argued that, in its decision, the CAAF went far beyond what was necessary to decide S..Continue reading→
This Republican Mayor Has An Incredibly Simple Idea To Help The Homeless. And It Seems To Be Working
In partnership with a local nonprofit that serves the homeless population, a van is dispatched around the city to pick up panhandlers who are interested in working. The job pays $9 an hour, which is above minimum wage, and provides a lunch. At the end of the shift, the participants are offered overnight shelter as needed. Republican Mayor Richard Berry was driving around Albuquerque last year when he saw a man on a street corner holding a sign that read: “Want a Job. Anything Helps.” Throughou..Continue reading→
How Much Should a Christian Olympian Give Up for Gold?
Three-time gold medalist Josh Davis and Rio correspondent Tim Ellsworth on picking between evangelism and family, the athlete’s faith community, and what the Games have in common with missions trips. Did you see the Americans’ sweep the hurdles last night? Do you go to bed at night still thinking about Katie Ledecky breaking her own world records? Do you have dozens of hours of unwatched pool play handball games on your DVR? We have a podcast for you. Two-time Olympian Josh Davis—who swam wit..Continue reading→
Whose Hate? Which Victims?
“So what do victim impact statements and the concept of hate crime have in common? They both point to an evaluation of the moral significance of criminal acts, and of victimhood, that prioritizes the psychological and the subjective.” One of the great problems in today’s world is that hate is rather limited in scope. For society to flourish, we really need more hate—or at least a broader understanding of what hate is. Confused? Well, bear with me a moment while I explain. Last week The Spectat..Continue reading→
Life & Society
Do You Live Like Your Story Matters?
Because of our natural human fixation on “the seen,” we tend to think only of the impact of our story in this brief season of our existence: the here and now. Although that impact is not unimportant, as immortal beings we should be far more concerned with how our story will sound when it is told there and then, in that next season of existence that will extend through all eternity. Unfortunately, for many Christians, the goal is simply to get across the finish line after surviving this earthly ..Continue reading→
Preschooler Made to Care about LGBT Agenda in Colorado
According to The Denver Post, a 4-year-old Aurora, Colorado girl was “kicked out” of a preschool last month when her parents raised questions about books read in her class, including ones that told stories about same-sex couples and worms unsure about their gender. The girl returned home from school one day concerned that her daddy might not like girls anymore–and her mommy is a girl. Montview Community Preschool & Kindergarten in Denver — run as a private, parent cooperative — used the stories ..Continue reading→
Disney Demands Georgia Let Go of Religious Freedom
We should have seen this coming. After all it was a Disney / Pixar film that captured the mantra of the secular Progressives: “We scare because we care.” Just as we describe in You Will Be Made to Care, Disney has joined the NFL and other compassionate bullies to try to shut down even stripped-down religious freedom protection in Georgia under the auspices of opposing discrimination. They are threatening to take their Marvel movie-making magic somewhere else if Georgia passes HB 757 to protect r..Continue reading→
Republican Convention Rules: It Takes a Majority
It takes a majority. It takes a majority of delegates to win the Republican nomination for President. It is not complicated. It is not new. These rules have been basically the same since the founding of the Party. A majority of the delegates to the convention must vote for a candidate if he or she is to become the Party’s nominee. Yet Trump and his fans are demanding the rules be changed to accommodate him. They are demanding that the Establishment (whatever that is anymore) rip up the rules and..Continue reading→
Music
Lacey Sturm’s ‘The Mystery Finding True Love In A World Of Broken Lovers’ Available Today
GRAMMY® Nominated artist and author Lacey Sturm has released her second book "The Mystery Finding True Love In A World Of Broken Lovers," available today. Two years after Sturm's book debut, "The Mystery" includes Sturm's personal account of her own journey and struggles, giving fans a look inside her life from heartbreak to wholeness. Sturm helps readers understand that any loving relationship begins with knowing your own identity in Christ.Continue reading→
Disciple Releases Lyric Video For ‘Erase’
Today rock group Disciple released the lyric video for "Erase," a powerful track off their soon-to-be-released album Long Live The Rebels. The song is instantly available when you pre-order the new album, set to release October 14th. In our review, NewReleaseToday said this of the song "The passionate expression of the love of God, a hallmark for Disciple, is expressed in a new way on 'Erase,' a tender promise f..Continue reading→
Meredith Kinleigh Releases New Single ‘Living Sacrifice’
INOV8 Music Group artist Meredith Kinleigh, who has spent much of 2016 touring with the likes of Grammy Award-winning vocalist Jason Crabb and platinum-selling band Kutless, announces today's release of a new single. The song, titled "Living Sacrifice," was written by award-winning songwriters Mike and Deanna Geier. "Living Sacrifice" is being serviced to Christian INSPO and Christian AC-formatted radio stations and is available on iTunes, Google Play and all digital outlets.Continue reading→
VERIDIA Announces Fall Tour With Evanescence
Today Word Records rockers VERIDIA announced they will be touring this fall with mainstream band Evanescence. "We're hitting the road with Evanescence this Fall! See you at a show," the group posted on their Facebook page. This isn't the first time the two bands have joined forces on the road (they played a few shows together last fall) and fans are thrilled to see them teaming up again. Some ..Continue reading→
Love Lines The Last Horizon by Tanya Godsey
Award-winning singer-songwriter, speaker and worship leader Tanya Godsey, whose artistry occupies the space somewhere between the sincerity of Sara Groves and the passion of Bethel Music's Steffany Gretzinger, releases her third independent, full-length album, Love Lines The Last Horizon, internationally Sept. 30. Produced by Ben Shive (Colony House, Rend Collective, JJ Heller, Mercy Me), the album is framed with Tanya's signature piano playing, fervid vocals and an array of cinematic touches paralleling the spectrum of human emotion. The first single from the album, "We Are Your Song," released June 10 to digital retail outlets internationally. With all the proceeds from the[...]Continue reading→
GRI Live by Greater Emmanuel Institutional (GEI)
On Friday September 30, 2016, Karew Records will release the live album GEI LIVE, from the Greater Emmanuel Institutional (GEI) C.O.G.I.C. presented by Bishop J. Drew Sheard (Senior Pastor) and multiple GRAMMY®-winning Gospel legend and 1st Lady Karen Clark Sheard in Detroit, MI. The first live project to be released from GEI in decades, the new album is available for pre-order now. GRAMMY® Award-nominee Kierra Sheard brings her acclaimed voice to dominate the lead single "Hang On," which is currently impacting radio. Imploring listeners to hang on when facing tests of faith on the uplifting single, fans can also catch Kierra[...]Continue reading→
Meredith Andrews Releases Video Series With Kay Warren
Word Worship artist Meredith Andrews has partnered with co-founder of Saddleback Church and best-selling author Kay Warren in a video series titled "Meredith Andrews Kay Warren Deeper." On the heels of her recent album release, titled Deeper, Andrews is joined by her friend Kay Warren on camera as they share how to dig deeper in their faith in everyday life as well as how to grow with God in each season of life. The five-video ser..Continue reading→
Fred Hammond Releases ‘Worship Journal Live’
Award-winning gospel superstar and producer Fred Hammond releases his much-anticipated new album WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE today on RCA Inspiration. Recorded live from Houston, the 12 track album delivers an exquisite blend of all-new songs handpicked from Hammond's soul. WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE is available everywhere music is sold. WORSHIP JOURNAL LIVE is Hammond's first live recording in 17 years and features the popular single "Fa..Continue reading→
GMA Announces More Talent And Special Awards Winners For 47th GMA Dove Awards
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announces more presenters for the 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Bill Gaither, CeCe Winans, David Mann, Hezekiah Walker, Jaci Velasquez, Janice Gaines, Lauren Daigle, Sadie Robertson and Wally from WAY-FM will join hosts for KING & COUNTRY and Tye Tribbett for the sold-out awards show on Tuesday, October 11 at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena in Nashville at 630 p.m. CST. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on Sunday, Oct..Continue reading→