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An Appropriate Place for “George”
What you are about to read is the very first paragraph of an uncorrected proof of a book that is scheduled for publication on August 25, 2015. Let’s see if you find anything strange about that paragraph: George pulled a silver house key out of the smallest pocket of a large red backpack. Mom had sewn the key in so that it wouldn’t get lost, but the yarn wasn’t quite long enough to reach the keyhole if the bag rested on the ground. Instead, George had to steady herself awkwardly on one foot while the backpack rested on her other knee. She wiggled the key until it clicked into place. It wasn’t really too…
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Filling Your Ears with Truth: An Overview of The Light Network
[NOTE: Our guest post this week comes to us from Robert Hatfield. To learn more about Robert, check out his bio at the end of today’s article.] Perhaps there has never been a more fertile time for Christian growth than right now. For years, New Testament Christians have used technologies such as radio, film strips, television, CD’s, and DVD’s as a means of evangelism and spiritual edification. Advancements in technology have given rise to new media which not only provide us more outlets through which to spread the gospel, but also make it easier than ever to consume spiritually-focused media wherever you are. Podcasting is one such medium that has…
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Love Wins
Despite the title, this is not another article about the recent Supreme Court decision. For my personal beliefs on that issue, click here and/or here. If you struggle with your feelings toward our government and the direction our country is headed, I would direct you here or here. That said, despite all of the misuse of the phrase “love wins,” love does, in fact, win! Love wins in our marriages when a husband and wife follow the example Christ, given to us in Ephesians 5:25-33. Instead of a home where the battle for supremacy is waged at every turn, you have a unit functioning together in love: forgiving, supporting, encouraging,…
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Shining Light for Darkness
In Isaiah’s day, the prophet spoke of people who were putting “darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). The idea was basically that the people had gotten their moral bearings so wrong that what the Lord called evil, they called good, and vice versa. They were willing to say the things associated with darkness were actually light. And then we come to America in 2015. Not only are we calling things that are dark light, we are actually lighting up the darkness to make it appear as if it is light. For proof of that, just consider two buildings that have been lit up for darkness in recent days.…
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#RediscoverNature : Kids Need to be Outdoors
We can read all the articles and books we want about raising our children, and the experts seem to disagree on a lot of issues. But there are certain things that nearly every expert agrees on. One of those things is that children need to be outside. When you think back to your childhood, what are some of your best memories of just being a kid? Nature Valley asked that of three generations, and put the answers in a short video. You must see this: (Video not playing? Click here to watch on YouTube.) If that doesn’t open your eyes, I’m not sure what will! Now most of us can…
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Where Is Your Line?
I wish I could remember the person with whom I was having the conversation. Unfortunately, I cannot, but I can very easily remember what I was told. The conversation had to do with Disney World. The person with whom I was talking knew some of the “ins and outs” of that place. I was told something that I thought was fascinating about the parade they have there every day. According to the information I was given, all of the floats, characters, etc. pass through gates at the conclusion of the parade. The people portraying the various Disney characters must remain in character until there is no chance of being seen by any of the…
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The Most Common Problem with Problem Solving
Every person, group, and relationship has them. As much as we want to do things that are right all the time, there are still going to be problems. And problems need to be solved. Meetings are held. Conversations are had. But, when all is said and done, the problem is still there. Admittedly, there are countless reasons why the problem does not get solved. Each situation is different, and I know this post is painting with a broad brush. Still, I think there is one common reason why many problems do not get solved. What is it? We talk about the problem instead of solving the problem. We name the problem.…
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Why You Need a Hard Copy of the Bible
We live in the electronic age. Almost everything is digital and instantaneous. Whenever I see someone who is 25 or younger and I ask them a question for which they have no immediate answer they quickly pull out their phone. I can’t tell you how many times in the last few years I have seen preachers and youth ministers preach and teach without a bound copy of the Bible with them. It is all tablets and touch screens. And while I am thankful for the blessings such technology affords I would like to make an argument as to why everyone needs an actual paper copy of the “good book.” 1.…
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A Church Growth Tip from An 8-Year-Old
Some who read this will know that, a few months ago, our son and his family moved from a metropolitan area to a much smaller town. The town to which they moved had been their home a few years earlier. For our son and his wife, it was somewhat of a homecoming. However, this was not exactly true for their children. Due to their ages, they do not remember as much as do their parents about the smaller town. Recently, I took advantage of an opportunity to talk to our eight-year-old grandson about the move. I asked what I thought was a pretty open-ended question. I merely asked him how he liked it where…
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What I Wish the Church Knew about the Preacher’s Family
[Note: This week’s guest post comes to us from our friend Dale Jenkins. To learn more about Dale, check out his information following today’s article.] The apostle Paul wrote: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV). The New Living Translation says: “We ourselves are like fragile clay jars.” To Timothy he wrote that “… in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will…
