Dear Parents with Young Children in Church

It matters that they learn that worship is what we do as a community of faith, that everyone is welcome, that their worship matters. When we teach children that their worship matters, we teach them that they are enough right here and right now as members of the church community. They don’t need to wait until they can believe, pray or worship a certain way to be welcome here, and I know adults who are still looking to be shown that. It matters that children learn that they are an integral part of this church, that their prayers, their songs, and even their badly (or perfectly timed depending on who you ask) cries and whines are a joyful noise because it means they are present.

Modesty: I Don’t Think it Means What You Think it Means

In fact, nearly all of the Bible’s instructions regarding modest clothing refer not to sexuality, but rather materialism (Isaiah 3:16-23, 1 Timothy 2:9-12, 1 Peter 3:3). Writers in both the Old Testament and New Testament express grave concern when the people of God flaunt their wealth by buying expensive clothes and jewelry while many of their neighbors suffered in poverty. (Ironically, I’ve heard dozens of sermons about keeping my legs and my cleavage out of sight, but not one about ensuring my jewelry was not acquired through unjust or exploitive trade practices—which would be much more in keeping with biblical teachings on modesty.)

Immodesty All Over the Map

Whatever one thinks of the evangelical modesty movement—and the growing back-and-forth debates online—we must recognize this cultural context for how we perceive what’s appropriate. A fixation on our own definition of modesty threatens to warp our perceptions and hurt our interactions with others—particularly as we venture outside our own culture.

Maintaining A Holy Fire When You Fell More Like An Unholy Fizzle

So here is the nail to the question; because we live in Christ we must wait for him to do the work. This is nearly a mockery to the flesh-driven personality. God, through the Spirit, opens doors and closes others. My exhilaration is when He opens them. My frustration is when none open and I impatiently knock harder.

The New York Times hides abortion editorial on front page

No one expects the Times to provide fair and balanced coverage of the abortion issue; that would require a greater allegiance to objective journalism than the paper can muster (especially in the post-Bill Keller era). But the least the Times can do is respect its readers enough to keep the editorials on the editorial page.

Pope Francis Talks Food Justice

Specifically, Francis called out what he called “financial speculation” that treats food like any other commodity and affects its global price, as well as the tendency to “look the other way” when presented with troubling needs like hunger. Everyone, he said, should have access to nutritious food.

‘Borders First’ a Dividing Line in Immigration Debate

And 75% agree it would be “better for the economy for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and become legal workers.” Far fewer Americans say that legalization would have a negative impact on jobs. About half (51%) say that “granting undocumented immigrants legal status would take jobs from U.S. citizens.”

Grim milestone: Texas set to execute 500th inmate

Still, even as McCarthy prepares to die at the Huntsville Unit, it’s clear that Texas, too, has been affected by the debate over capital punishment. In recent years, state lawmakers have provided more sentencing options for juries and courts have narrowed the cases in which the death penalty can be applied. In guaranteeing DNA testing for inmates and providing for sentences of life without parole, Texas could well be on a slower track to execute its next 500 inmates.

The Problem With Elders, pt.4

In the early decades of the Restoration Movement, elders were not considered an office of the church but merely a description of the kind of men God was looking for to lead his church as a part of the membership. When we open up scripture, we see no meetings held in the early years of the church where elders sequestered themselves from the members. In fact, the only elders’ meeting we see was actually a wide open meeting with apostles, evangelists, and “others.” It seems none were excluded. David Lipscomb, one of the most powerful, conservative voices in the first century of our movement, was strongly opposed to considering the eldership an office.

8 ways those from more liberal-progressive and conservative-evangelical persuasions can better love each other

the world is watching. those hanging on to their faith by a thread are watching. the future generations are watching.
and so far what we’re offering them are deep divides, angry answers on the internet, homogenous churches and ministries, fear, and disdain. we’re either fighting or fleeing.

Undocumented for a Day

In the spirit of promoting awareness and understanding, we’re excited to present DoSomething.org’s “Undocumented for a Day” game. Of course, we know it is impossible to come close to understanding the experience of being undocumented simply by playing a game, but we hope this can be a great first step toward gaining that understanding.
This game puts you in the shoes of an undocumented high school senior approaching graduation. The game works by presenting you with scenarios and different options of responding; you choose how you will respond to each scenario by texting one of the keyword options.

Leaders that Sabotage Themselves

According to Robert Hogan, an industrial psychologist and professor, two-thirds of the people currently in leadership will fail; they will be fired, demoted, or “kicked upstairs.” The most common reason will be their inability to build or maintain a team. (Hogan defines leadership as “the capacity to build and maintain a high-performance team.”)

Snake-Oil Gospel

Could it be that’s where we gotten off track: that we’ve confused results of the gospel for the primary purpose? Is it possible that we were so anxious to be relevant that we sold out on what we really have to offer? Could we have traded being needed for being desired? And how do you know if the integrity of your message has been compromised? How do you reremember what it was that you were working for in the first place?

Why I Regret Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

Now, on the downslope of parenting, I have misgivings about my decision to stay home. While I don’t know any parent who regrets time spent with their kids, especially kids who have moved on to their own lives — and I include myself among them — in hindsight, my decision seems flawed. Although I am fully aware that being a SAHM was certainly a luxury, staring at an empty nest and very diminished prospects of employment, I have real remorse.

At the corner of Klingon and Romulan courts in suburban Sacramento

An anonymous city planner named the streets in June 1977. At the time, the “Star Trek” saga was experiencing something of a lull. The original series had been off the air for nearly a decade, and the first motion picture in the series was still two years away from its debut.

New Testament Anti-smackdown

If the Messiah was to be the one who would set everything right and establish a reign of peace and justice (Shalom) and restoration of the created order, why would God pick a largely powerless individual, in a weakened culture in an occupied state to make his point about who the Messiah was and what he would bring?

Rand Paul: Jesus was anti-war
“I believe individuals and countries can and should defend themselves, but I simply can’t imagine Jesus at the head of any army of soldiers and I think as Christians we need to be wary of the doctrine of preemptive war,” he said. “We must and should stand with our fellow Christians in the Middle East and around the world, but that does not necessarily mean war and it certainly does not mean arming sides in every conflict.”

Christians, Alcohol, Freedom, and Wisdom

I think my friend is very wise. For the same reasons, my wife has chosen not to drink. I think my wife is wise too and out of respect for her decision, I never try to get my wife to take a drink. Even though I occasionally enjoy a beer, I don’t look down on people who choose not to drink. Unfortunately, my friend feels that he is sometimes looked down upon by other Christians who do drink because he practices abstinence. This is unfortunate and sad.

Does College Cause Young Adults to Lose Their Faith?

Research from the University of Texas-Austin delivers more good news, finding that young people who avoid college “exhibit the most extensive patterns of religious decline” compared to those who do attend college. They explain the loss of faith among the non-college attending young adults has little to do with secularizing ideology, but simply results from a lack of intentionality and direction in their lives. Those who seem to drift through these formative and transitional years with no definite goals or plans likely bring this same attitude and action to their faith life.

Response to Exodus International’s Decisions

We believe that true faith in Christ leads to obedience as a fruit of the Holy Spirit; and that, when believers succumb to sin, they must repent. We regard the Bible as God’s inspired word and as the highest authority in matters of faith and practice. We also recognize the role of church tradition for safeguarding Scripture and its moral code.

Who Is the Hero of Your Sermon?

Every sermon has a hero. Every message points to some kind of rescue from financial, relational, or ethical plight. Few would argue that someone other than Christ should be this rescuer – this hero – in every sermon. But many of us think we are pointing people toward Christ, when in fact we are not. We may talk about Jesus a lot in our sermons, but ultimately we point our people toward something or someone else.

The Onion’s Tips For Securing The U.S.–Mexico Border

Optimize your border security by encrypting your VPN with a WPA2 security code and segmenting your networks according to ISA IEC 62443 standards

The Pace of Modern Life

[Quick note about the links: I should repeat that I don’t necessarily agree with everything said in the links I provide. I may not agree with any of it! I try to provide links to things that I find interesting and thought-provoking. Thanks for reading!]

My Concern Over the Gospel-Centered Movement

The danger here should be obvious. Without a hermeneutical base to undergird our theological conclusions we are susceptible to losing what we have. If we are just fan-boys then we may follow a new theological band someday. If we are just fan-boys then we can’t train a new generation to discover these truths themselves.
What is needed more than simply a theological system is a hermeneutic. If the gospel-centered movement is not built upon a consistent, biblical hermeneutic then we will lose this thing as fast as we seem to have received it. Without a hermeneutic movements become memories.

The Pain of Disappointment, Part 3 (Paganism vs. Christianity)

This not just a battle for the hearts and minds of people. There are cosmic forces — heavenly beings, demons — seeking to defeat the church, fighting a losing battle against the power of Jesus.
And so, one way to tell the story of Jesus’ victory is in terms of his victory over evil, spiritual beings, demons pretending to be the gods of the pagans. And so, to understand the nature of evil, we would do well to study how the ancient world viewed their gods.

The Pub and the Disciple of Jesus

This doesn’t mean that we become drunkards and gluttons, though we may surely engage in activity that some will use as evidence to make such accusations (just as Jesus apparently was doing). What we are doing is living as kingdom people among the neighbors and community without judgment but instead living, listening and serving, witnessing without words and sermons until we are given the privilege to speak.

7 Marks of a False Teacher

No one enriches hell more than false teachers. No one finds greater joy in drawing people away from truth and leading them into error. False teachers have been present in every era of human history, they have always been a plague and have always been in the business of providing counterfeit truth. While their circumstances may change, their methods remain consistent.

11 Traits of Churches That Will Impact the Future

1. The ability to say no.
2. Outsider focus.
3. Quick decision making.
4. Flexibility.
5. A willingness to embrace smaller to become bigger.
6. A quicker, lighter footprint.
7. Valuing online relationships as real relationships.
8. An openness to questions.
9. A high value on experimentation.
10. Prioritizing a for you not from you culture.
11. A tailored experience, not a tailored message.

7 Disastrous Results of Letting Your Personal Fulfillment Drive Your Ministry

1. You turn your congregation into a means to the end of your self-fulfillment.
2. You become discontent with your current role in ministry, and look for the next step up the pastoral ladder.
3. Your self-esteem becomes the barometer for your ministry.
4. TED Talks influence your philosophy of ministry more than the Bible.
5. You stop viewing your ministry within the scope of God’s kingdom.
6. Your definition of ministry success is focused on you.
7. Your identity becomes rooted in your ministry growth.

Congress surprised by drone use on U.S. soil? It shouldn’t be

But FBI use of drones on U.S. soil isn’t exactly a state secret. The Associated Press noted in March that “last month, the FBI used drones to maintain continuous surveillance of a bunker in Alabama where a 5-year-old boy was being held hostage.” And the use of drones for surveillance on U.S. soil is a well-reported phenomenon. How well? The Congressional Research Service (exactly what it sounds like) produced a 20-page report in April 2013 titled “Drones in Domestic Surveillance Operations: Fourth Amendment Implications and Legislative Responses” (the report was obtained and made public by the Federation of American Scientists).

Aaron’s Last Wish | $500 Tips for Waiters and Waitresses

Aaron was born June 15, 1982. He was a computer technician for Computers Plus in Lexington, KY and held a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. Aaron lived his life quickly, not holding on to many things and always with a vigor to have experiences not possessions. He was incredibly sentimental, though he always tried to hide it. The small things people did for him are what touched him the most. He was generous with the limited means he had, and his last wishes were that any money he had be given freely in ways that would impact those who received it.

Christian Persecution – Fact or Fiction

When Christians in the United States cry that they are being persecuted then they are making claims not evident in reality. They are taking incidents of unfairness or discrimination and claiming that these are an examples of persecution. This cheapens the language of persecution and makes the individuals making the claim look foolish.

Apology to the Immigrant Community

In a step toward healing the broken relationship between the white church and our immigrant brothers and sisters, we read the following apology. Consider humbling yourself, as individuals, and churches, and joining us in a confession of the wrongs that we have done to our nation’s immigrants. Then may we move forward being good neighbors and representatives of the Kingdom of God.

Beer & the Pulpit

Since then, I’ve discovered I’m not the only one who was never given wisdom about alcohol. Too many of my dear friends who follow Jesus have serious drinking issues. Not because they are alcoholics (though some are), but because they haven’t been shown there’s another more beautiful, life-giving way to address alcohol. The Church needs to talk about alcohol because how we handle it often reflects how we understand God. If we never touch alcohol because “it’s evil,” then our view of God is as a mere man who tells us not to do things. He’s not looking out for our joy or pleasure, but rather making sure we do what He says.

The Problem with Elders, pt.3

I find it fascinating that those who complain or murmur in scripture are given God’s harshest judgments, but they get first in line and demand that elders hear them…and elders often do. That is unbiblical and wrong on so many levels. Instead, elders, apostles, and evangelists rarely told people that they were right and their brothers were wrong. Instead, they told the complainer that they needed to accept their brother by changing their own hearts, not their brother’s mind or behavior. The first elders’ meeting didn’t try for uniformity of faith and practice, but for unity in love.

Alone

A painful part of life is watching those we love leave. The feeling we name loneliness is much like grief. We grieve over the loss. Sometimes they grow up and leave. Sometimes they grow cold and leave. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they don’t want to go but they go and we are left behind. Being left cannot be ignored. Loneliness affects everything that we do.

Quid pro quo (you can’t play ping pong by yourself)

The irony of “getting in return for giving” is that it doesn’t work nearly as well as merely giving. Giving because you care, because you have something to say and because it feels right. No Tat. Bloggers who measure the return on investment of every word, twitterers who view the platform as a self-promotional tool instead of a help-others tool, and those that won’t contribute to Wikipedia and other projects because there’s no upside… these folks are all missing the point.