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→
Hot Topics
I’m Glad Paul Used This Word
When we’re perplexed, we think, “How did this happen?” or “Why is this happening?” and we have no answer. Things don’t seem to line up with our expectations. I thought if I did this, God would do this. If I sowed, I’d reap. Well, you will reap, but before the harvest comes you might have to fight off a few crows. Before you see the sunshine, you might have to walk through a dark valley. The perplexing valley. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair…2..Continue reading→
When You Are Tempted to Despair
So when we get sick, I am tempted to despair. I feel helpless, weak, and useless. Questions swirl around my mind all day and night, “Should I switch doctors?” “What’s the long-term effect of this medication?” “When will we get better?” “How long can I go without sleep?” I find myself irritable and impatient. Stressed and anxious. Reactionary. All my thoughts and energies are focused on what’s happening, it becomes consuming. I just want God to intervene, fix it all, and return things back to nor..Continue reading→
The Relative Value of Temporal Things (Wilberforce)
“This disposition alone must constitute a vast difference between the habitual temper of the real Christian and that of the mass of nominal Christians. The concerns of the present world dominate them almost entirely. They know indeed that they are mortal, but they do not feel it. For the truth finds its way only into their minds but cannot gain admission to their hearts. This understanding of the mind is altogether different from that strong practical impression of the infinite importance of ete..Continue reading→
Children Are People Too
Our children are born with inherent worth and individual traits. We should remember that in raising them. It’s amazing to watch our children grow up and become the men and women God has planned for them to be. Each one is unique and has unique challenges and unique gifts. They may not fit our “mold,” but they were made to fit the place God designed them for. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Eph. 6:4 ESV In the last ..Continue reading→
Music
Children of God Acoustic Sessions by Phil Wickham
Track Listing 01. Better Than Life (Acoustic) 02. The Secret Place (Acoustic) 03. Divine / Sailing / Time / Hymn (Acoustic) 04. Your Love Awakens Me (Acoustic) Purchase 05. My All In All (Acoustic) 06. Starmaker (High Above the Earth) [Acoustic] 07. At the Foot of the Cross (Acoustic) Purchase 08. Spirit of God (Acoustic) 09. As It Is in Heaven (Acoustic) 10. Here With Me (Acoustic) Purchase 11. Children of God (Acoustic) Purchase 12. Doxology / Amen (Acoustic) 13. Wide Awake (Acoustic) 14. Body Mind & Soul (Acoustic) 15. Stand in Awe (Acoustic) Continue reading→
Getting Stronger by Philip Hamrick
Track Listing 01. Bigger 02. Born Again 03. Getting Stronger 04. Will Not Let Me Go 05. The War 06. Calling Us By Name 07. Fire 08. Love Is On the Line 09. Rivers 10. By Your Love Continue reading→
Loss by Seeker
Track Listing 01. Without 02. Throat 03. Void 04. Rot 05. Swallowed 06. Welcome Death 07. Empty Vessel 08. Submit 09. Self Harm 10. Loss Continue reading→
Heart On My Sleeve by B.Reith
Track Listing 01. Winning Feeling (f/ Christon Gray) 02. Start Over 03. Can't Stop Lovin' You 04. Roll With the Punches 05. On My Own 06. Deep End Continue reading→
Beauty For Ashes by Heesun Lee
HeeSun Lee's 3rd full length album, "Beauty for Ashes," which is set to drop on October 14th, 2016 on all digital outlets, is further enhancing her credibility as an emcee. She named this album "Beauty for Ashes," quoting the Bible verse Isaiah 61:3, where it talks about how we were made out of ashes until God transformed us into beautiful. "A garment of praise instead of despair," which she mentions in one of her songs, in hopes to let the listener know how much they are worth. The album discusses topics on motherhood, the lack of "humble" artists, anxiety, being[...]Continue reading→
L’s by Puntin
New single by Puntin. Anthem type song for athletes, dream chasers, and whoever needs a little hype music to get pumped! This one is sure to be the soundtrack to a lot of highlight videos, and dance videos! Dab, whip, and jig away! Written Produced by Puntin of Puntanious Ent. Engineered by Dennis Thomas of TrynaTellEm. Follow Puntin: www.instagram.com/puntanious www.facebook.com/puntanious www.twitter.com/puntanious Buy this track here www.yaboypuntin.com[...]Continue reading→
Essential Music Publishing Celebrates Four GMA Dove Award Wins
It was announced during Tuesday's 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards that Essential Music Publishing received a total of four Dove Award wins, thanks to two of their most well-known producer/writers, Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury. Ingram was awarded as Songwriter of the Year (non-artist), while Paul Mabury won for "Trust In You" as Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year. Together, Mabury and Ingram received Dove wins as producers for both the Inspirational Album of the Year (Brave New World by Amanda Co..Continue reading→
Compassion International Announces 2017 Rock & Worship Roadshow Lineup
The 9th annual Rock & Worship Roadshow, presented by Compassion International, has announced its official 2017 tour lineup. Award-winning and chart-topping artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Francesca Battistelli, Rend Collective, Passion, Family Force 5, Jordan Feliz, along with Derek Minor and Urban Rescue, will join together for Christian music's most uplifting and entertaining concert experience for the whole family. Author and comedian, Tony Wolf, will be the guest speaker and Carlos Whitt..Continue reading→
Followers by Tenth Avenue North
"This album is about following Jesus wherever He calls us," explains frontman Mike Donehey. "Everyone says let's follow Jesus let's do all these extravagant things but what we're saying is not to follow Jesus in what we do but to follow Jesus in the WHY we do it." With numerous No. 1 radio singles, multiple Dove Awards including New Artist of the Year and touring accolades that include Casting Crowns, MercyMe and Chris Tomlin, it would be easy for Tenth Avenue North to get caught up in the success of being an artist. However, since their last album Cathedrals (2014),[...]Continue reading→
American
“Children’s Hospital” Kills Unborn Children in Abortions
From a marketing perspective, the name “Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital” suggests a place where women and children can go seeking healthcare and health-affirming treatments in times of illness. However, a recent ABC News report divulges that abortions are occurring at this “children’s hospital.” There is nothing about abortion that suggests healthcare for either a mother or her child. “Certainly, not all women experience emotional problems following induced abortion. However…an alarm..
Roe v. Wade Attorney Sarah Weddington’s Shocking Answer When Asked, “Whatever Happened to Roe?”
February 18, 2017, Norma McCorvey passed away. Her long, hard journey on this harsh Earth behind her, she finally rests in the peace of our Lord. At last. Norma was one of the most broken people I have ever met, but her impact on the lives around her cannot be measured. Norma carried a crushing, unbearable weight around for most of her life. She felt the burden of the 58 million lost lives since the Roe v. Wade decision because Norma was Roe. I hate to type that because she was so much #moreth..
Boy Born With 2% of His Brain Stuns Doctors Years After His Mom Refused Abortion
A British boy who was born with just 2 percent of his brain continues to stun the world with his progress. Noah Wall’s life is being hailed as a medical miracle. Aletia reports Noah’s brain regrew to 80 percent of a normal brain by the time he was 3 years old; and today, he is attending school and learning to read and write. Here’s more: The family continues to keep Noah’s brain stimulated to aid his neurological growth. Dr. Claire Nicholson of Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital in E..
Norma McCorvey, Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade, Passes Away: She Never Had an Abortion and Became Pro-Life
Norma McCorvey, who was the Jane Roe of the infamous Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court case legalizing virtually unlimited abortions, passed away today. McCorvey never had an abortion and eventually became pro-life and dedicated her life to overturning the horrible Supreme Court decision that bared her pseudonym. McCorvey died today at an assisted-living facility in Katy, Texas. She was 69. McCorvey never wanted an abortion — she was seeking a divorce from her husband — but young, pro-abortion femini..
Australia
A shipping container filled with thousands of children’s books is on its way to Kenya
Imagine the excitement and wonder of children at a school in Kenya when they first see the shelves of colourful books sent to them as a ready-made library by a church in Australia. Inside a 6-metre shipping container they will find an Aladdin’s cave of treasures: on the left are non-fiction books offering windows into their world, while on the right are fiction books of all kinds to feed their imaginations. It is this vision of Kenyan children discoveri..
Make your faith count on census day
Atheists and Christians are united in calls for Australians to be honest about their religious affiliation as the fill in the census on Tuesday 9 August. The Atheist Foundation of Australia (AFA) is urging people who no longer practise or hold religious beliefs to vote “no religion” on census night. In an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Anglican minister and regular Eternity contributor Michael Jensen writes, “I am all for the censu..
“Not silly, just forgiven,” students told at first 2016 Bible Society Masterclass
“People can view our beliefs as silly,” said Simon Smart from Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) to 300 high school students attending Bible Society’s first 2016 Masterclass in Queensland last week. Simon Smart from CPX at Masterclass in QLD. “Much more so in the world that you’re growing up in than the one I grew up in. This is because we are mixing more and more with people whose worldview is different than our own.” Smart was making ..
Christians on trial in Nepal in first religious freedom case since new Constitution
Eight Nepali Christians are on trial this month, arrested for distributing a pamphlet about Jesus in a school. It is Nepal’s first religious freedom case since the country’s new Constitution was implemented in September last year. While Nepal recognises the right to be Christian, converting someone to a different religion is prohibited. A new clause in the Constitution, Article 31(3) took that further, stating “any act to convert another person f..
Law & Government
Texas attorney general affirms constitutionality of courtroom prayer
Judge Wayne Mack gestures before his interview with 'Fox & Friends' on Aug. 22, 2016. In a legal opinion, Texas' attorney general said an opening prayer before a court proceeding and a voluntary chaplaincy programme are constitutional and do not violate the Establishment Clause. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the legal opinion based on requests by Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and executive director Seana Willing of the State Commission on Judicial Conduc..
U.S. court upholds religious freedom case against transgender employee
The R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes in Michigan won the case under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). A federal court in the U.S. state of Michigan ruled last week in favour of a funeral home sued by the state for dismissing a transgender employee who wanted to wear women's clothes at work. In his ruling, Judge Sean Cox of the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan said there was no discrimination when R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Ho..
Federal Judge Upholds Funeral Home’s Firing of Male Director Who Desired to Dress as Woman
DETROIT, Mich. — A federal judge has upheld a Michigan funeral home’s decision to fire a male funeral director for his desire to dress as a woman on the job. As previously reported, Anthony Stephens, who now goes by the name Aimee Stephens, was hired as the funeral director and embalmer for RG & GR Harris Funeral Homes in 2007. In 2013, Stephens informed his employer that he had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and would therefore desire to wear a woman’s suit for work. Owner Thomas Rost, ..
Judge Refuses to Lift Injunction on Law Protecting Clerks Who Decline to Issue ‘Gay Marriage’ Licenses
JACKSON, Miss. — A federal judge appointed to the bench by Barack Obama is refusing to lift his injunction against Mississippi’s Freedom of Conscience Act, requiring clerks within the state to issue “gay marriage” licenses despite their religious convictions. “Issuing a marriage license to a gay couple is not like being forced into armed combat or to assist with an abortion,” Judge Carlton Reeves wrote on Friday. “To the extent the preliminary injunction will help alleviate the damage wrought o..
Entertainment
Must-See Wrongful Conviction Films and TV Shows from Innocence Project
Over at the Innocence Project they have posted an amazing list of films and television shows (and links to trailers) about wrongful convictions. Let’s hear it: Hurray for Hollywood – for the stories they tell that can make a difference in the world. This is just the first few; I’ve added the link to take you to the IP page. BY INNOCENCE STAFF Do you want to know more about wrongful conviction, but you’re not sure where to look? No worries. You don’t need to sit in court or be a lawyer to learn m..
What Makes The Innocents So Frightening … and So Perfect for Halloween
Comment countIt amazes me how many children show up in horror movies they’re not allowed to see. Kids are everywhere in fright flicks. Either they’re innocent waifs running from horrific, kid-killing entities (The Shining, The Conjuring, etc.) or they’re the horrific entities themselves, bent on ridding the world of a few adults (Children of the Corn, The Ring, etc.). Sometimes, like in The Exorcist, they manage to be both. Regan from The Exorcist, courtesy Warner Bros.But most of the time, we ..
For stories that ‘transcend daily life’: CIMA presents 23rd annual entertainment awards
Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron (from left), Archbishop José H. Gomez and Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP, are pictured during the 23rd annual CIMA Awards, where Bishop Barron received the CIMA Communicator Award. (photo/Victor Aléman) These days, when many perceive heaven and Hollywood to be polar opposite, mutually exclusive destinations, it’s easy to forget that film and faith have the capacity to intersect in vital, remarkable ways. Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA) was founded in 1992 to serve a..
Watch: An Exclusive “Denial” Featurette
Patheos is pleased to share an exclusive featurette for Denial that highlights the importance of interfaith dialogue in a world that seems to be increasingly divided. Denial is based on Deborah E. Lipstadt’s book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier. The movie portray’s Lipstadt’s (Rachel Weisz) legal battle against David Irving (Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In her defense, her legal team actually had to prove the histor..
US
Who will pray at Trump’s inauguration
The six religious leaders who will offer prayers at Donald Trump’s inauguration have been announced. They include three Pentecostals: Paula White, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, and Samuel Rodriguez. White and Jackson, a black megachurch pastor, are prominent preachers of the “prosperity Gospel.’ (See our earlier post on White.) Rodriguez is a Hispanic Assemblies of God minister also preaches a perhaps less extreme version of the prosperity gospel. The others are Franklin Graham, whose father Billy no..
Trump vows trade deal with UK
UK Prime Minister Theresa May In an interview with the London Times [subscription required], Donald Trump promised a quick trade deal with the UK, thus helping its Brexit transition. (British prime minister Theresa May and other Brexit supporters were delighted at the news.) He also gave other indications of what his new foreign policy would be like: He said he supported NATO, though he considered it “obsolete,” saying only five NATO members are paying their dues. He also said he might suspend s..
Obama gets tough on immigration
With about a week left in office, President Obama has finally cracked down on immigration: against Cubans. Escapees from our Communist neighbor have long been given automatic legal immigrant status once they arrive on our shores. But no more. Now they will be returned for punishment. The Obama administration says that now, in light of our “normalized relations” with Cuba, Cuban refugees will be treated like any other immigrants. Except other immigrants are allowed to enter illegally with impunit..
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
To observe Martin Luther King Day, read his classic “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” It was written to fellow pastors who were concerned that a man of the cloth would engage in protests that would get him arrested. The letter is interesting in itself for the case that it makes for civil disobedience, under certain very restrictive conditions. Some of what he says will resonate with pro-lifers and religious freedom advocates. The letter also shows how it was possible back then in 1963 to continua..
Church & Theology
When the Battlefield Terrain Is Different Than You Planned
Do you ever have a day go differently than you planned? Or a year? Or an entire season of your life? I’m a planner, and although I know in theory that God may change my plans and, in fact, has every right to intervene, I don’t always see His hand in the unplanned delays, changes, or upsets in the moment they occur. I recently came across the paragraph below, written by an Irish Baptist pastor in 1840. It was a great encouragement to me: Nothing can be more consoling to the man of God, than th..
Is Your Motivation Style Demotivating?
I’m excited to announce a relaunch of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast—beginning with this episode! While past episodes were primarily audio leadership lessons that had been recorded in other venues, such as Spiritual Leadership or Striving Together Conferences, the new podcast will include episodes video recorded specifically for this podcast. Each monthly episode will focus on practical ministry leadership, with this first one being about biblical motivation. Future episodes will dedicate ti..
Why I’m Reordering My Social Media Life
Follow @BrandonSmith85 When I joined Facebook over a decade ago, I assumed it would be a fun little social network like MySpace. I’d check it once a day at most, but probably no more than 4-5 times per week. After all, I barely knew anyone who was using it. It was largely the same handful of people that would comment back and forth with me on our “walls.” There was really no opportunity to catch up on news or any type of day-to-day commentary. In 2009, I joined Twitter because Facebook was getti..
4 Ways Grace Works in Our Hearts
The grace of God is an incredible gift. It not only brings salvation (Titus 2:11), but it is the ongoing provision for our Christian walk. It’s a peculiar thing about grace, however: it seems practically every Christian has their “angle” on the best way to use God’s grace—what grace is really all about. Perhaps part of the reason for that is that grace is indeed multi-faceted. It doesn’t only bring salvation, only give Christian liberty, or only produce holiness. God uses His grace at every le..