‘Londoners have lived through much worse than this’
Patrick Boyns, a native Londoner and principal of the British Bible School in Corby, England, notes that the date of the observance — June 6 — is the 73rd anniversary of the invasion of Normandy by Allied forces during World War II.
On D-Day in 1944, an estimated 425,000 people were killed, wounded or went missing. At least 2,700 British troops were among the casualties.
The Transgender Revolution and the Rubble of Empty Promises
Ultimately, the transgender question is about more than just sex. It’s about what it means to be human. Poet Wendell Berry responded to techno-utopian scientism with the observation that civilization must decide whether we see persons as creatures or as machines. If we are creatures, then we have purpose and meaning, but also limits. But if we see ourselves—and the world around us—as machines, then we believe the Faustian myth of our own limitless power to recreate ourselves.
Putting lipstick on a pig is not going to grow your church
And much of the discussion ends up centered on how to attract believers. Sheep stealing from other churches not astute enough to “get it”. Or not serious enough to maintain the status quo.
What if we grew by adding to the church those who were being saved? Talking to friends, neighbors, and classmates. Sharing the Jesus story. Making disciples.
But instead we try to change up the building. Add a youth wing, redesign the auditorium, put in a coffee bar, or make parking more accessible. That will bring them back. Or keep them. Surely.
Two Ways to React When Death Comes
About 30 minutes later, I went back to the room. There were over 30 people inside a tiny hospital room. All family members and all crying hysterically. Finally, the lady who invited me asked everyone to be quiet and asked me to pray for their father and grandpa. Obviously, I didn’t pray for him but I prayed for them instead. As I was praying, it seemed as though they were hoping for a miracle; a couple of the men began shaking the dead man, and one even hit his chest. I remembered the ladies crying inconsolably over the death of their family patriarch. I finally understood what it truly meant to be without hope.
He used Peter, denials and all, to lead his own bride, the church.
And he has something for you to do too. It may not be leading the church the way Peter did, but it does include loving the church the way Jesus did. Your failures are not final.
The church is not set up as a fortress to hide from the world but rather as an outpost for which we act as beacons to entreat lost travelers and set them on the course towards heaven. Don’t allow any fence to prohibit us from being good neighbors.