A friend posted this to his FB page recently, and I thought it was well worth sharing. Adapted from the Puritan Richard Owen Roberts, here are "20 Signs You May Be Backsliding."

All across the country, the yellow buses are rolling again. Children and teens are returning to school. The vast majority will attend state run schools, otherwise known as the public education system. 90% of Christian parents will continue this year to send their children into the public education system for 8 + hours a day. Some of these parents truly have no option (e.g. single parents whose churches will not help them to stay home if they so desire). Other Christian parents have simply never been challenged to think more clearly and more biblically on the issue of childhood education. Still others are just not willing to make the lifestyle sacrifices to either home school or find solid Christian schools as alternatives. And a few Christian parents have been called by God to send their children into the schools as missionaries.

The gray-haired prophet of God stood at the precipice of his life. What would he say to God's people with his farewell address? Would he go out "in a blaze of glory" and call down fire upon the disobedient sinners? Would he belittle their new king? Would he remind them of his great and mighty acts of power and deliverance? What would be his concern as he retrospectively analyzed his life of service to God and God's people?

Several news sources have reported that Portia DeRossi, the famous (or infamous) partner (or wife if you accept the legality of gay marriage) of Ellen DeGeneres has taken Ellen's last name. This was reportedly done as a 2nd Anniversary gift from Portia to Ellen.

The little postcard I loathe arrived in the mailbox today. It was from the NC Division of Non-Public Education. On the postcard, it "threatens" homeschoolers with a visit from a DNPE staff member if the postcard is not returned by the deadline.

God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.
Eric Liddell

"Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from our children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done" (Psalm 78:1-4).

Well, well, well, Colton Harris-Moore (aka the Barefoot Bandit) is no longer barefoot, though allegedly he is notoriously a bandit.

From time to time I receive something so utterly ridiculous that I simply cannot pass up an opportunity to comment. Sadly, these ridiculous things too often come from supposed Christian sources.

For Christian parents, grandparents, guardians and cargivers whose hearts are being moved by God to return to doing discipleship His way - beginning in the home - times have never been better.