Voices from the Blogosphere
The Fourth “D”
God gave Joseph a dream. Even as a very young man, Joseph made a decision to go public with his dream-even though he only faced resistance.If he experienced one step forward, he immediately fell two steps back with unfair treatment and false accusations. Like many others, he had a dream, made a decision, and experienced a delay before reaching what some would call the final "D"-his destiny. God elevated Joseph to second in charge over all …
How Recession Proof is Your Church?
Few areas of our economy are recession proof these days including the church. I have friends who are taking 20 to 30 percent pay cuts and even higher. Still others have lost their paychecks completely.What can church leaders and their members do to prepare for economic challenges? 1. Recognize that God is still in control. While foreclosure and unemployment rates may seem to be spiraling out of control, make no mistake that God is still on …
An Argument That Must Be Heard
W. Bradford Wilcox of the University of Virginia has written a must-read article in the "Houses of Worship" column of The Wall Street Journal. Wilcox, whose research and analysis is consistently top-notch and relevant, considers the impact of the expansion of the government sector in American society. As the "welfare state" expands, the church recedes as the source of needed charity and social services. Thus, as Wilcox notes, the expansion of the state is, in effect, …
A Gathering Force
Is there any logic in believing that God started His Church as a Spirit-filled, loving body with the intention that it would evolve into entertaining, hour-long services? Was he hoping that one day people would be attracted to the Church not because they care for one another, not because they are devoted to Him, not because the supernatural occurs in their midst, but because of good music and entertainment?Try to imagine what conclusions you would come …
I Got Caught Dirty-Handed
Because when I garden, I don't wear gloves. Maybe it's because I love the feel of the soil between my fingers. Perhaps the fact that I saw an earthworm as I was planting my tulip bulbs didn't really freak me out too much since, you know, I live in the country and all. Even though I didn't jump up and start screamin' like a fool, I did chop his head off. And the thing just …
What’s Blocking You?
The California mudslides of 2005 washed away homes, cars, and roads. In one case, a large boulder rolled loose, blocking the highway. Cars were stuck on both sides of the rock, which created an insurmountable obstacle for drivers.The next day, a photo of this rock in newspapers around the country illustrated the problems better than any article could. It showed the frustration of motorists who were not prepared for the rain and consequently were trapped by …
Let Us Pray
Let us pray. Almighty God, our father, everything we see and everything we can't see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you, it all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory. History is your story.The Scripture tells us Hear, oh Israel, the Lord is our God; the Lord is one. And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made. Now today we rejoice …
The “American Experience” and the Death of Evangelism
Every culture and civilization embraces a certain set of assumptions about life, truth, significance, and what it means to be human. Without these shared assumptions, common life would be impossible. Individuals within these societies may not give much active thought to these common assumptions, but their decisions, expectations, and general dispositions reflect the presence of these assumptions as what some philosophers call background ideas.Out of these assumptions an entire way of life emerges. Background ideas move …
For Goodness Sake?
Just before the end of 2008, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released a report indicating that a significant percentage of American evangelicals reject the biblical claim that Jesus is the only way of salvation. According to the report, 52% of American Christians believe that "at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life."Surprisingly, 37% of those specifically identified as evangelical Christians agreed, rejecting the claim that Jesus is the only Savior and …
I Am Resolved
There's an old gospel song that I've always liked to sing around the New Year called "I Am Resolved." Since polls tell us that a large number of us will carry on the tradition of making New Year's Resolutions today, the words of this old song make a couple of great suggestions for worthy resolutions for you and me:I am resolved no longer to lingerCharmed by the world's delightThings that are higherThings that are noblerThese have …
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