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
Greater than We Think
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3, NKJVGod is bigger than we think and greater than we think. Nothing is beyond His ability, whether it’s a problem to solve, a marriage to reconcile, a memory to heal, a guilty conscience to cleanse, a sin to forgive, a business to save, a budget to stretch, another mouth to feed, or anything else we could name. All are within His po..Continue reading→
1 Corinthians 2:9
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—”Continue reading→
1 John 4:7 (02-01-17)
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. — 1 John 4:7 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... The old song says, "Where oh where is love?" Love is with God. Love comes from God. Love is the key attribute of God. Love is from God. Love is of God. You want to be more loving? You want to find greater intensity in your love? You want to know how to love others who are hard to love? Look to God. But, where do we see God ..Continue reading→
The Sound of His Voice
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27, NKJVThe Eastern shepherd of Jesus’ day raised his sheep primarily in the Judean uplands. The countryside was rocky, hilly, and creased with deep crevices and ravines. Patches of grass were sparse. So the shepherd had to establish a personal relationship with each sheep, nurturing its love and trust in order to lead it to where the path was the smoothest, the grass was the greenest, the water was the cleanest, and the nights..Continue reading→
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”Continue reading→
Hope
Christmas Can Bring Out the Best in Us!
The city lights have now become giant snowflakes. One by one, homes are adorned with lights, wreaths, mangers, Santas, and the words, "Merry Christmas!" The sounds of Christmas are being heard loud and clear, far and wide. Choirs are singing "Joy to the World!" "Silent Night" is heard in the background as shoppers walk through the stores to find that perfect gift for their loved ones. Jesus is now the topic of conversation. Jesus is now at the center for billions around the world. Jesus gets the..Continue reading→
God Is Working While You’re Waiting
“I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (Psalm 130:5 TLB). God wants you to wait patiently for him to answer your prayer, but he also wants you to wait expectantly. Have faith. Trust God to hear and to answer. When you wait expectantly, you show God that you believe his promises. You believe he’s going to keep his word. Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman, was once asked, “Have you ever got..Continue reading→
What Does God Want While You Wait for an Answer?
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7a NLT, second edition). What does God want you to do while you’re waiting on an answer to your prayer? Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (NLT, second edition). God wants you to wait patiently for him to answer your prayer. Have you noticed that we don’t mind waiti..Continue reading→
How Can I Get Out of This Mess?
“Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24b-25a NLT, second edition). Here is the testimony of a Chinese Christian: “I walked through the road of life and had fallen into a great ditch. The ditch was filled with depression, discouragement, and sin. As I lay in that ditch, Mohammed came along and said, ‘It’s your fault you’re in the di..Continue reading→
A church behind the walls
Raised in a legalistic religious home, David’s rebellion led him straight to the jungles of war-torn Vietnam, while Jerry’s dangerous and dysfunctional upbringing led him to a lifestyle that earned him a lengthy prison sentence. Discover how both men received the love of Jesus Christ, and how His gift of grace gave them each a ministry they never expected! Be encouraged that no one is beyond God’s love and mercy.Continue reading→
Daily Wisdom
1 John 4:9 (02-03-17)
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.— 1 John 4:9 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Showing love is about sharing life with someone else. No one quite epitomizes this principle like Jesus! His sacrifice, however, is what saved us and brought us to our new life in Christ. Now God wants us to show his love to others by sharing it in ways that they can understand and appreciate. ..Continue reading→
God Loves Everyone
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15, NKJVGod loves each and every person who has ever been born into the human race! God loves: the Eskimo living in an ice hut, the Chinese living in a bamboo lodge, the African living in a mud hut, the homeless living in a cardboard box, the Bedouin living in a tent, the Indian living in a teepee, the royals living in a palace, the poor living in public housing, God loves the whole world! God lov..Continue reading→
Psalm 59:16
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”Continue reading→
1 John 4:8 (02-02-17)
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. — 1 John 4:8 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... An unloving person doesn't know God. It's that simple. Enough said. My Prayer... Father, please bless me with a loving heart and a lifestyle that generously shares your love with others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Today's Verse Illustrated CommentsContinue reading→
Prayers
A Living Sacrifice
PassageRomans 12:1-2 PrayerDear Father, all worthy God,I present my body to you, O Lord, as a living sacrifice. May it be holy and pleasing to you.Let this be my spiritual act of worship, not done at set times of remembrance, but constantly, moment by moment, day by day, night by night.Let me not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, which is doomed to pass away. Instead, let me be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so that I may be able to test and approve what your holy wi..Continue reading→
God’s Reconciliation
PassageRomans 11:33-36 PrayerDear Father,How great your mercy is! How deep your riches and wisdom and knowledge are! How unsearchable are your judgments! How inscrutable your ways!No one can know your mind totally! No one can be your counsellor! No one can give you a gift! Because from you and through you and to you are all things!May my faith never falter, my belief never fail. Continue your process of reconciliation among all your people, Jews and Gentiles.In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savio..Continue reading→
An Invited Guest
PassageRomans 11:17 PrayerDear Father, king of banquets,May I enter your halls wearing the appropriate garment, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not that of my own making. The false righteousness of adherence to man-made rules is a worthless covering. Only the true righteousness of belief in your Son will make my appearance acceptable to you.Grant me true humility. If I boast, let it be about you. Let my pride be in what you have done for me, not in what I make of myself.In the name of Jesus, ..Continue reading→
A Grafted Branch
PassageRomans 11:17 PrayerDear Father, king of banquets,Like that unknown hearer of Jesus long ago, I say, "How blessed it will be to eat bread in the kingdom of God."Please, Lord, don't let me be like those who were invited to the marriage feast honoring the king's son but who scorned it in favor of business deals and family matters. They were left out while the king filled his house with those from the highways and country lanes. Your ancient people, Israel, rejected your invitatio..Continue reading→
Questions & Answers
The First Question to Ask of an Ancient, Holy Book: Is It Ancient?
Many of the world’s best known religious texts are silent when it comes to claims about history. Many Eastern religious scriptures, for example, describe spiritual principles devoid of historical location or setting. Texts such as these are proverbial in nature, proclaiming ancient wisdom without any connection to historical context. The Abrahamic religions are very different, however. Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Mormonism make claims about ancient history. For this reason, these religious ..Continue reading→
Should Christians Boycott Businesses Or Products?
Should Christians boycott certain products or businesses for certain stands they take? Commanded Submission The Bible doesn’t say anything about boycotting businesses or products, but it has a lot to say about obeying those who are in authority. Only when we are told to break God’s law can we break man’s law (Acts 5:29), but until that happens, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ..Continue reading→
Enlightening KJV Bible Verses About Hatred
As time progresses it seems that hatred becomes more and more abundant. The news is filled with rioting and murder which seems to be the result of fierce hatred for certain people and groups. Sometimes we must just reflect upon what God says about hatred. Take a look at these enlightening KJV Bible verses about hatred. What the LORD Hates: “These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart tha..Continue reading→
Does Jesus Possess the Nature of God? (Podcast)
In this blast from the past, J. Warner examines the Deity of Jesus. If there is a God, it is reasonable to believe that this God would have several classic attributes, including omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence and omnibenevolence. Does Jesus possess these qualities? What do the reliable eyewitness accounts tell us about the nature of Jesus? Does He possess the nature of God? You can also subscribe to the Cold-Case Christianity Weekly Podcast on iTunes, or add the podcast from our RSS Fee..Continue reading→
Hot Topics
Of Empires, 180s, And The Communion Of The Saints
All things considered, of the three, the third explanation seemed most likely. I had a seminary professor who used to warn us all about the danger of empire building. He was exactly right. As I sat in his office, he would recount stories of this fellow and that who had trampled on old friends as they sought to build a (religious) empire (his word) of some sort. He noted how pastors do it. He warned about the problems inherent to the church growth movement, which was in full swing, and the Reform..Continue reading→
The Apology to the LGBT Community That Needs an Apology
I’m deeply sorry for any Christian who proclaims another Gospel—not that there is another Gospel—that leaves us in our sin. This is not love. This is not compassion. Yes, God loves us just as we are. But He doesn’t want to leave us where we are. God wants us—all of us—to turn from our sin. The biblical writers call this repentance. God is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Last week I was sent a video titled Confessions of a..Continue reading→
Pastor, Are You Okay?
Through the year, names get checked off as families and individuals are visited in homes and cafes. Burdens and cares are shared; plans are made for private reformation and encouragement. Without scientific specificity, I have come to the conclusion that most congregations are like my own. The closer you get to the end of the year, elder visits increase. If there is time, ruling elders’ families will be visited before the end of the year, or at least before the congregational meeting. And if one..Continue reading→
I Have Deleted Politics From My Digital Life
I want to be completely ignorant of what my Twitter people think about politics, and I want you to know as little about what I think as possible. Honestly, politics have become more divisive than unifying, even among friends and co-laborers in Christ, and the fight really just isn’t worth it to me anymore. Thankfully, it’s not a mandatory fight, online anyway. You can just dismiss yourself; so I did. I was texting with some friends while watching the daily White House briefing over my lunch bre..Continue reading→
Women
Patricia Heaton: My Career Floundered, Then Flourished Because of Faith
Q+A: The star of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ and ‘The Middle’ reveals the prayer that changed her life.Continue reading→
A Happy, Healthy (Angry?) Family
A Happy, Healthy (Angry?) Family I learned how to be emotionally dishonest at an early age. When I was a child, any expression of anger earned me a one-way ticket to my room for a prolonged timeout. Afraid of breaking what appeared to be a fragile relational thread, I learned to either redirect or deny my anger. In essence, I learned that anger was simply not allowed. This misguided response to anger continued well into my 40s. By that time, I had three young children and a husband who worked ..Continue reading→
Why Are Our Children So Anxious?
Unpacking the reasons behind childhood and adolescent anxiety—and the hope we find in the gospel.Continue reading→
10 Non-Obnoxious Ways to Share Your Faith at Work
10 Non-Obnoxious Ways to Share Your Faith at Work I have an acquaintance, "Alice," who has been fired twice for witnessing at work. Well, that's how she explains it. Perhaps a better explanation may be that Alice's approach to evangelism is "in your face." If there were a caricature of an evangelical on the popular show The Office, Alice would fit the bill perfectly. She embodies all the negative stereotypes our culture has about evangelical Christians: she's judgmental of all t..Continue reading→
Life & Society
Investigation Captures Planned Parenthoods Admitting: We Only Do Ultrasounds If You’re Aborting
An undercover investigation involving nearly 70 Planned Parenthood locations nationwide captured almost all of the facilities outlining that the organization does not offer ultrasounds for mothers who want to ensure their baby is healthy, but only provides them for women who wish to obtain abortions. “One would think that a corporation that constantly touts its care for women, uses ‘parenthood’ in its name, AND has ultrasound machines would want to ensure healthy pregnancies by allowing women t..Continue reading→
Trump Chooses Episcopalian Neil Gorsuch as U.S. Supreme Court Nominee
President Trump has announced that he has nominated 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court as the replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia. “Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and has earned bipartisan support,” Trump stated in introducing his pick to the public Tuesday night. “Mr. President, I am honored and I am humbled. Thank you very much,” Gorsuch, an Episcopalian, said to applause in acce..Continue reading→
Trump’s Refugee Ban vs Obama’s: What Is The Difference?
Trump supporters have sought to legitimise the refugees ban by pointing to Obama's act in 2011. Here is why this is misleading:Continue reading→
Holocaust Memorial Museum Speaks Out On Lessons Of History After Donald Trump Fails To Mention Jews
An accurate understanding of the Holocaust and the systematic slaughter of six million Jewish people is "critical" if the lessons of the past are to be learned, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum has stated.Continue reading→
Persecution
Congress Passes ‘International Religious Freedom Act’ to Combat Persecution Worldwide
WASHINGTON — Congress passed a bill this week that aims to give the White House and State Department improved tools to address religious persecution worldwide. The Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act had been introduced in the House last year by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and then in the Senate this year by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The bi-partisan-backed bill first passed the House in May and then came before the Senate this month, where it passed unanimously. It is named after fo..Continue reading→
Trial Begins Against Indonesian Governor Accused of Blaspheming Islam
(Morning Star News) – The blasphemy trial of Jakarta Gov. Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama began on Tuesday, with the ethnic Chinese Christian breaking into tears inside the courtroom while hundreds of people protested outside. Some 2,000 police officers kept anti-Ahok and pro-Ahok protestors apart outside the heavily guarded court. Those opposing Ahok chanted, “Jail Ahok, jail Ahok, jail Ahok now.” A panel of judges will hear from 30 witnesses and see 50 pieces of evidence regarding the charge o..Continue reading→
Former Muslim’s 60-Year-Old Mother Attacked in Uganda for Putting Faith in Christ
(Morning Star News) – Relatives of a former Islamic teacher attacked his 60-year-old mother on Thursday (Dec. 8) for becoming a Christian, wounding her head and breaking her hand, sources said. Aimuna Namutongi sustained a deep cut on her forehead. She and her son, 30-year-old Malik Higenyi, were trying to gather cassava at 10 a.m. on the homestead he had been forced to abandon in Bufuja village, Butaleja District, after Muslim relatives threatened to kill him if he returned. Higenyi, whom Mus..Continue reading→
Turkey Jails U.S. Pastor on ‘Terrorism’ Allegations
(World Watch Monitor) — A Turkish judge has sent Andrew Brunson to prison in Izmir, 64 days after the U.S. pastor and his wife, Norine, were detained on 7 Oct. under Interior Ministry deportation orders. Although his wife was released on 19 Oct. and given an extended permit to remain in the country, Andrew Brunson has been held since 20 Oct. at the Harmandali Detention Center on the northern edge of Izmir. The 48-year-old was transferred overnight on 8 Dec. to a counter-terrorism center, befor..Continue reading→
Music
Christmastime by Jody McBrayer
Track Listing 01. Imagine This Christmas 02. Candlelight Carol 03. O Come All Ye Faithful 04. Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep/Silent Night (feat. Sarah Clayton-McBrayer) 05. What Child Is This? 06. Ave Maria/O Holy Night 07. Bring A Torch Janette Isabella 08. Last Christmas 09. Christmastime is Here 10. Have Yourself A Merry Little CContinue reading→
What God Wants to Hear by Jonathan Cain
Jonathan Cain, longtime keyboardist and rhythm guitarist in Journey, co-writer of the No. 1 digital catalog song in history, "Don't Stop Believin'," as well as writer of "Faithfully" and co-writer of "Who's Crying Now," "Open Arms" and many more international hit songs, will release his solo album, What God Wants to Hear, Oct. 21 on Identity Records with The Fuel Music distribution. Cain, who continues to tour the world with Journey, one of the most popular American rock bands of all time, crafted his new solo album from his personal faith-journey that started in Chicago when, at a young age,[...]Continue reading→
No Shadows by Eric Kneifel
No Shadows is Eric's debut worship album, and has been a dream of his since he began songwriting. This album began with over 50 songs that were narrowed down to a final 12 to be recorded on the album. The theme of the album reflects Eric's desire to see the church become filled the light of Christ to the point where it fills every void, leaving no room for fear, sin, or shame. As stated in the title track, "there's a light that will leave no shadows." The song selection includes congregational worship songs, as well as songs of personal reflection[...]Continue reading→
Lecrae Releases New Single Can’t Stop Me Now (Destination)
The wait for new music from Lecrae is over, with a new single heralding a new era for the legendary Christian rapper. Lecrae has been hinting on social media for the past few months that new music was brewing as snapshots of him in and out of the studio appeared. The appetizer has finally arrived as he released a new single on Friday titled "Can't Stop Me Now (Destination)," produced by Reach Records' own Alex Medina. You can stream the new track on either Apple Music or Spotify. The ..Continue reading→
Jered Sanders’ Third Release Set For December
Hype has begun to build for Jered Sanders' third release, Nobody Famous. An all-star roster of features will be included such as Eshon Burgundy, KiShon Furlow, Dee Black and Dre Murray among others. Production from Illien Rosewell, Talen Ted and others will fill the background. Eshon Burgandy shared a tweet previewing what's to come, saying "we've got a lot to talk about, y'all. In February of this year, Jered Sanders claimed hip-hop's version of the Rookie of the Yea..Continue reading→
Unto Us: A Christmas Collection by Matthew West
Track Listing 01. Unto Us 02. The First Noel 03. Silent Night 04. A Christmas to Believe In 05. Join the Angels 06. Come On, Christmas 07. Jingle Bells 08. The Heart of Christmas 09. O Holy Night 10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Continue reading→
These Christmas Lights by Matt Redman
Debuting the first Christmas album of his career, 2X GRAMMY® winner Matt Redman will unveil These Christmas Lights on October 21. Filled with powerful and diverse collaborations, featured artists on the album include longtime friends Natasha Bedingfield, Chris Tomlin and Tasha Cobbs. These Christmas Lights finds Redman sharing his interpretation on quintessential holiday songs, along with creating new, originals including "His Name Shall Be," "Help from Heaven," the title track and more. "I don't want to just tell a story, I want to make sure that we put ourselves in the story too. To help with the songwriting on this record,[...]Continue reading→
The Best Christmas Ever by NewSong
Track Listing 01. The Best Christmas Ever (Ft. Jody King) 02. Sweet Little Jesus Boy 03. This Christmas 04. My Heart's With You (Ft. Bethany Cruz) 05. The King Is Born 06. The Christmas Shoes (Live Anniversary Edition) 07. White As Snow 08. The Song Of Christmas 09. The Little Drummer Boy 10. Go Tell It On The Mountain 11. The Christmas Hope 12. O Holy Night 13. What A Wonderful World 14. Sing Noel 15. Christmas Time Is Here/ Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Continue reading→
A Canton Christmas by Canton Junction
Celebrate the Christmas season with A Canton Christmas, the first Christmas project from Dove award-winning southern gospel quartet Canton Junction. On their newest release, steel guitars and fiddles set the scene as Canton Junction's timeless harmonies paint the wintry pictures celebrating the season of our Savior's birth. From the soothing sounds of "Silent Night" to the creative arrangements of "Hark the Herald," Canton Junction delivers eternal Christmas favorites wrapped in a country-tinged style that is sure to be a gift to enjoy year round.[...]Continue reading→
American
How Can You Do a Better Job Counseling Women Considering Abortion? Here’s Some Tips
Every other Tuesday we publish a new episode of the Equipped for Life Podcast, available to everyone who purchases our course, “Equipped for Life: A Fresh Approach to Conversations about Abortion.” Generally these podcast episodes won’t be available to the general public, but we plan on occasionally making exceptions, and we’ve decided to make our 11th episode the first one we make available to everybody. This is the first part in a two-part series on practical sidewalk counseling tips, from th..
Florida Supreme Court Blocks 24-Hour Waiting Period Before Babies Can be Aborted
In a 4-2 decision, the Florida Supreme Court blocked legislation passed and signed by pro-life Gov. Rick Scott in 2015 mandating women wait 24 hours between first visiting an abortion clinic and having an abortion, CBS Miami reported. “In this case, the state failed to present any evidence that the mandatory delay law serves any compelling state interest, much less through the least restrictive means, and, therefore, the trial court correctly concluded that there is a substantial likelihood tha..
Australia Will Spend $7.3 Million for Abortions After Trump Defunds International Planned Parenthood
Australia will chip in millions of dollars to support Planned Parenthood’s abortion work world-wide, government leaders announced this week. DevEx reports Australia is the latest country to join a global pro-abortion effort in response to President Donald Trump reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits U.S. taxpayer funding to groups that promote or perform abortions overseas. At least eight other countries are creating a new global abortion fund together to to make up for the money ..
Media Mourn Deaths of Hundreds of Whales, Ignore Deaths of Thousands of Aborted Babies
This week the media have been leading the nation in national mourning for the deaths of hundreds of Pilot Whales that perished on the beach at Farewell Spit. This tragic news has featured on the front pages of our daily newspapers and as the lead item on the 6 pm TV One news. The media have recounted how crowds of volunteers have provided touching compassion and dedicated care to save these precious lives. We have been deeply moved by the sight of several volunteers singing to the distressed wh..
Australia
“What hope can you offer us when we’re sitting in here?”
“Why should we listen to you? What hope can you offer us when we’re sitting in here?” That’s the question Anglican youth minister Bruce Chapman is often confronted with when he visits inmates at Don Dale youth detention centre in the Northern Territory. Shocking footage of abuse in a Northern Territory youth detention centre was aired on ABC’s Four Corners programme on Monday night. The detention centre has come under national scrutiny this we..
There are brothers in Christ on the inside in South Africa
“When you look at these people, they look so normal and so ordinary. But they are the people who’ve caused others a tremendous amount of pain and grief. They are someone else’s nightmare,” Pastor Willy Dengler tells me as we drive towards the Johannesburg Correction Centre, the city prison in South Africa known as “Sun City”. It’s my first prison visit and I’m nervous. But for Pastor Willy, he’s lost count of how many times he has been ..
Maids and taxi drivers: the new face of the missionary movement
Maids and taxi drivers are the new face of the missionary movement says global missions expert and Bible translator, Eddie Arthur. “We are used to thinking about mission as people going from Britain or Australia to Africa or from America to China,” Arthur tells Eternity. “…We are starting to hear stories coming through of Saudi families where the mothers and children are becoming believers through the influence of Filipino maids working in their..
Turnbull’s team arm wrestles over plebiscite
A senior Coalition source has told Eternity that Coalition backbenchers are fighting to ensure that the plebiscite on same-sex marriage is put back to 2017. A same-sex marriage plebiscite would have to be “very rushed” to make it through both Houses of Parliament for a poll this year. The next sitting of parliament is only seven weeks long. The Government wants to deal with terrorism and some economic legislation as their first priority. A Senate enquiry and the draf..
Law & Government
Abortionists File Suit Against Alabama Law Banning Dismemberment Abortions
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Two abortionists have filed suit against an Alabama law that bans dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortions, and prohibits abortion facilities from operating within 2,000 feet of an elementary or middle school. As previously reported, S.B. 363 was signed into law in May by Gov. Robert Bentley, outlawing what is commonly known as “dismemberment abortions” in the state. “[I]t shall be unlawful for any individual to purposely perform or attempt to perform a dismemberment abortion..
Judge Strikes Down Religious Freedom Law Protecting Right to Decline Part in Same-Sex Ceremonies
JACKSON, Miss. (Reuters) — A federal judge has blocked a Mississippi law intended to allow people who object on religious grounds to decline services for homosexual ceremonies. U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves, in a ruling late on Thursday, said that the wide-ranging law adopted this spring unconstitutionally allowed “arbitrary discrimination” against the homosexuals, unmarried people and others who do not share such views. “The state has put its thumb on the scale to favor some religious be..
Chaplain Pushes Back By Distributing Bibles at Base After Scripture Removed From Missing Man Table
DAYTON, Ohio — Following the removal of a Bible from a missing man table at an Ohio Air Force base due to the demands of a notorious church-state separation group, a military chaplain at the site is pushing back by distributing thousands of copies of the word of God to stationed airmen. As previously reported, in April, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) wrote to officials at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base after the organization allegedly received more than 30 complaints abou..
U.S. Military Repeals Ban on Transgender Service Members
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The Pentagon on Thursday ended its ban on openly transgender people serving in the U.S. military, formally providing an allowance to an estimated thousands of U.S. troops who once could have been kicked out of the armed forces. The repeal, which ends one of the last barriers to serving in the military, comes after a 2011 decision to end the U.S. military’s ban on openly gay and lesbian people serving, despite concerns that such a move could be too great a burden in wartim..
Entertainment
‘Killing Reagan’ lacks surprises, if you remember March 30, 1981
Cynthia Nixon (as Nancy Reagan) and Tim Matheson (as Ronald Reagan) in “Killing Reagan” (National Geographic Channels/Hopper Stone, SMPSP) It was October in Nashville during the run up to the 1980 U.S. presidential election between Republican candidate Ronald Reagan and Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter. There is a stir in the crowd when a Secret Service agent spots a young man named John Hinckley Jr. (Kyle More) with a red backpack. He escapes but his suspicious behavior at the airport leads po..
Can a Christian Movie Win an Oscar?
The Birth of a Nation hits theaters today, but it’s been in the news for nearly a year. It made a show-stopping entrance at the Sundance Film Festival this January, earning raucous standing ovations and a titanic $17.5 million deal from Fox Searchlight. The film, dramatizing an 1831 slave rebellion led by Nat Turner, was immediately dubbed an Academy Award Best Picture front-runner—the perfect tonic to 2016’s still brewing #OscarsSoWhite controversy. But then the film was hit with a..
Turner Classic Movies highlights trailblazing women in film for second year
In case you haven’t noticed, classic films are “hot” right now, and not only with viewers who may have seen them in theaters 50 or 60 years ago. Turner Classic Movies is a broadcast and satellite channel that was launched on April 14, 1994, at 6 p.m., the 100th anniversary, to the minute, of the first public film showing in New York City (notwithstanding what the Lumière brothers might have to say about that). The first film broadcast on TCM was the 1939 ..
‘Birth of a Nation’ offers lots to talk about
“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever.” –Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson wrote these words in Paris in 1785, in his only full-length book, Notes on the State of Virginia. These same words are on the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., and they open Nate Parker’s first film as a director and writer, “The Birth of a N..
US
Trump’s news conference & confirmation hearings
Donald Trump held his first news conference since winning the election. He said that he now believes the Russians were probably responsible for the Democratic National Committee e-mail hacks, but he blasted the report that Russia has compromising information on him, singling out CNN for its reporting and Buzzfeed for publishing the unverified document. Also, confirmation hearings for Trump’s cabinet are underway. His attorney-general nominee, Jeff Sessions, said that abortion and same-sex marria..
Interfaith service surprise
The Anglican cathedral in Glasgow, in its interfaith zeal, invited a Muslim to read from the Qu’ran in the divine service for Epiphany. The purpose was to show that Muslims too honor Jesus. The reader did read the accounts of Jesus’s birth in the Muslim holy book, but then went on to read the passage that specifically denies that Jesus is God’s son. A controversy has broken out, but the point should be clear: All religions do NOT teach the same things. And to pretend otherwise, as interfaith ser..
More misunderstanding of vocation
Frederich Buechner is a novelist and writer that I really appreciate, but his definition of vocation is causing confusion. He said that your vocation is “the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Great words with some good applications, but to say this describes vocation contributes to the notion that vocation is something special, tied to self-fulfillment, and something better than ordinary “jobs.” So now Jo Swinney, thinking of that definition, says, writing for Christia..
Actors vs. Trump
Meryl Streep took the occasion of her lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes to give a blistering speech against president-elect Donald Trump. See Mollie Hemingway’s critique of her speech. Now actors have the same right as all other citizens to criticize their public officials. This, along with other recent “public service” spots featuring actors and their political causes, does raise another issue: acting outside of one’s vocation. Actors have the vocation of effectively speaking line..
Church & Theology
6 Places to Find Soulwinning Prospects
We know that Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). But sometimes we forget that He actively sought those who were lost. For Jesus, gospel outreach was no passing interest or occasional hobby. He looked for lost people and personally brought them the message of salvation through Himself. And He calls us to do the same: “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). We know that everywhere around us there..
5 Things to Remember When God Changes Your Schedule
Every Sunday afternoon, I take time to review the previous week and plan the week ahead. It is a discipline that has been a tremendous help to me over the years in being proactive with my responsibilities. Sometimes, however, a well-planned week gets rearranged by an emergency or an all-consuming need. I’m in the midst of such a moment as our community mourns the loss of LAPD Sergeant Steve Owen who was killed in the line of duty. Our church has the privilege to serve his family and the law enf..
3 New Testament Essentials for Nurturing Growth in New Christians
One of the great joys of an intense season of outreach, such as our church just conducted for Open House Sunday, is following up on new Christians. There is nothing more rewarding than to come alongside a new Christian and help ground him in God’s Word, encourage his faith, and guide him in new patterns of Christian living. And there is nothing more needed for that young Christian either. Spiritual maturity, like physical maturity, doesn’t take place overnight. Neither does it take place the m..
Growth Points 72: Restoring and Maintaining Passion in Ministry
Anyone in ministry can testify that there are intense seasons that deplete you physically, spiritually, or emotionally. It is during these times that we have to learn specifically what it takes to maintain the passion that we’ll need to continue serving the Lord the next day, the next week, and for the next season of ministry. I don’t want to serve God’s people from an empty tank. Of course, even the world knows the importance of rest and doing what you can to maintain your health. But beyond t..