When I first met Frank I didn’t know anything about him other than he was poor and homeless. I didn’t know his story. I didn’t know how he got into this mess. Did he drink himself homeless? Did he waste his money? Was he just lazy or refuses to work? Did something traumatic happen to him that caused him to spiral out of control?
But it didn’t matter. We were Jesus’ folk and we had to help him. So we did.
They are purposefully taking the Church of England to court to force them to affirm their lifestyle. Not accept them as people, or grant them the freedom to marry, but to force the church to affirm their homoerotic relationship and bless it.
The new law, which received the Queen’s approval last month, stipulates that no religious denomination will be forced to carry out such services.
But, as the Religion News Service reports, that’s not good enough for the couple.
Pastoral Traps: Tribal Arrogance
It is arrogant to believe our tribe is the only place for us to gain wisdom. I would encourage my friends, in the reformed tribe, to be more open to those in other tribes. Be humble enough to learn from those who are different. There are many helpful leadership insights and strategies we could profit from those people. To my non-reformed friends, take time to learn from the reformed brothers and sisters. Learn from their rich insights into Scripture, theology, and applying Christian thought to cultural issues. You may have certain opinions of the reformed tribe, but do not be like me and discount what you may be able to learn from them.
Eleven Things You Might Not Understand About Your Minister
Now that I’m seven years removed from ministry, with no chance of returning, I want to offer some of these things to you who attend church regularly, hoping that they might be received in a different, more constructive spirit. I’ve really got nothing invested here any more, except love and respect for my brothers and sisters who do this for a living. And a hope that I can make someone’s life just a little better.
Baptism, designed to unite us with Christ, has become for many an inflexible rite that divides. The flexibility of the early church is admirable.
God offers each of us a pardon, the chance to have our sins blotted out. We can escape the death sentence that sin has placed on us. We can be forgiven. Or we can ignore God’s offer and pay the penalty for what we’ve done.
Because a pardon that isn’t accepted is no pardon at all.
Simplify: Let Go of Your Crutches
You can’t simplify without letting go of crutches either. Owning or bringing a lot of stuff for security, for example, is a crutch. Being busy so you won’t be bored, or so you’ll feel productive, is a crutch.
You have to find other ways of fulfilling these needs, without the crutches.
What Teachers Want Parents to Know
If you rescue kids from every potentially negative consequence associated with their behavior, how will they ever desire deep change?
Why do we want to shelter our kids from the consequences of their actions?
Why do we side with our kids, not the teacher?
Why do we help them so much with their homework that it’s pretty much our project?
Why do we intervene in their relationships to make sure all the hurt feelings get eased?
Why do we pick up their socks and towels?Doesn’t it make sense to let them experience some cause and effect early in life before the stakes are higher?
25 Common Phrases That You’re Saying Wrong
Being a freelance writer, I often find myself messing up common phrases. When I’m unsure, I do a quick Google search to make sure that what I’m writing is actually what I’m trying to say. This inspired me to come up with a list of common phrases that people frequently get wrong. Some of them aren’t completely our fault because the incorrect way of saying them has actually become the “norm”. But we’re still wrong.
Five Dads Surviving A One Direction Concert
Vice’s West Coast editor Jamie Taete (@JLCT) captured some amazing Instagram pictures of Dads attempting to survive a recent One Direction concert at the Staples Centre in L.A