Know When to Hold ‘em
The Super Bowl last month set several records. Here's one - "an historic 67.8 million people gambled $23.1 billion on the game's outcome - 44% higher than the previous record of $16 billion placed by 50.4 million people, set just last year, according to a survey from the American Gaming Association." (https://washingtonstand.com/news/recordbreaking-super-bowl-bets-prod-tony-perkins-ralph-nader-to-tackle-gambling) People are literally able to bet on anything and everything now. Every baseball pitch. What color shirt Taylor Swift will wear to the game. It's the very definition of insanity.
We are a Nation of Addicts. Sex. Drugs. Money. Online status / likes.
We are seeking desperately to soothe our lonely, deeply troubled souls.
Love in the Air
This was brought to my attention this morning, and I thought it was definitely worth reposting. This is from Paul Tripp's blog: https://www.paultripp.com/wednesdays-word/posts/24-ways-to-love-in-2024
I was initially going to take a break from our Wednesday's Word series on evangelism and how to be a light in your neighborhood because today is Valentine's Day. Typically, my devotional during this week every year focuses on love, applied specifically to marriage.
The list below, of course, applies to how you treat your husband or wife. But then it hit me: there's no better way to preach Christ to your neighbor than by incarnating the love of Christ as an ambassador of the One who is love.
Keep Reading
American Addicts
"For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved" (2 Peter 2:19).
Several months ago, we were all saddened to hear of the death of famous actor Matthew Perry. His acting skills and comedic brilliance were legendary in Hollywood. Perry battled various addictions for most of his adult life. For the last few years, he considered himself, and was considered by medical communities and therapists, to be "sober."
But was he?
Remembering My Father’s Friend
"Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend" (Proverbs 27:10).
Last week, I received news that Kenneth Wayne Morrow had died. He died on New Year's Day. And began to experience everlasting life in a new way, with his spirit in the presence of the Risen Lord!
Christian Dating
Our church family has a growing number of single young adults, or those about to enter that status. We also have a few single parents. They are all precious to me as their Pastor. I have watched most of them grow up. Many of them were literally children when I came here 12 years ago. And now they're graduating high school, or going off to college, or entering the full-time workforce. I realize every Pastor is biased, but I really think our young adults are exceptional. And I mean that in the way that matters most - spiritually. Our young adults, by and large, have been raised in homes where Dad and Mom saturated them in the gospel. Led them in regular family worship. Prayed for them, with them, and over them. Read the Bible to them and with them, and taught them to read the Word of God for themselves. These young adults were disciplined biblically as children, and equipped by parents and pastors serving alongside each other for the glory of Jesus in the lives of children and young adults. All glory to God!
A Pro-Life Awakening
If the last 18 months have shown us anything in regards to the so-called pro-life movement, it is that it was only mostly pro-life. The Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe has flayed and fractured the Pro-Life Army. We now pitch our tents in various camps:
- Camp Heartbeat - We should outlaw abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
- Camp Gestation - We should outlaw abortion after certain gestational phases, such as 12-13 weeks.
- Camp Exception - We should outlaw abortion except in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother.
- Camp Compromise - We should find a middle ground to unite and/or appease both political parties so we can stop bickering about abortion.
- Camp Personhood - We should legally declare the unborn a person, thus granting him or her all the legal protections afforded under our Constitution, including the right to life.
- Camp Abolition - We should abolish abortion and prosecute any and all found guilty in a court of law of being intentionally involved in an abortion.
How in The World Have I Stayed Married to You?
"How in the world have I stayed married to you?"
This is an age-old question. I bet Adam asked it of Eve often after they got kicked out of paradise and had to sweat for a living. I bet Eve asked it of Adam after she had to suffer through childbirth and practice submission against her will.
The Family at Church – Week 4
Last week was our final week of reading through Scott Brown's book, The Family at Church. I sincerely hope you found the book challenging and encouraging. So many of the practical, biblical principles contained in this book were enormous means of grace as my wife and I raised our two daughters. Perhaps you may want to read through the book again in a future month? We have a sinful human tendency to be forgetful. So, as a church family, let's put one another in remembrance.
The Family at Church – Week 3
This week's readings in Scott Brown's book, The Family at Church, focused on two major topics: Practical advice for keeping children attentive during worship gatherings and helping children learn to love singing with the gathered church.
The Family at Church – Week 2
Here are some quotes and thoughts on this week's readings from Scott Brown's book, The Family at Church: 20 Days to Transform Your Local Church Experience.
Day 6
"Your family needs much more than your family can provide" (p. 57).