Legalization of same-sex marriage is now supported by most religious groups according to a study released on May 1st by the Public Religion Research Institute.
The survey was based on more than 40,000 responses collected during 2017. It found that 61% of Americans now support same-sex marriage. Only 31% oppose it.
The support is the strongest among politically liberal groups such as Jews (77%) and Unitarians (97%). Those identified as unaffiliated approved at 80%. Continue reading
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“Leadership is influence,” wrote J. Oswald Sanders, “the ability of one person to influence others. One man can lead others only to the extent that he can influence them”.”
John Maxwell expressed it this way, “Leadership in any organization – whether in the local church or in some other Christian activity – is never just a job. It is always a way of life, demanding from those who would be leaders a 24-hour-a-day commitment. The leader, in a sense, must always be on the job, deciding, directing and developing the work that has been entrusted to him while at the same time encouraging those in the work.” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Our church family at West Main in Lewisville is engaged in reading through the New Testament this year. Currently, we are in the book of Acts.
I noticed a concept in yesterday’s reading that is a prevailing theme, not only in Acts but throughout the Bible. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
This week finds Norma Jean and I in Lubbock, Texas, where I’m preaching in a meeting for the Milwaukee Avenue church. Our theme is “Experiencing Intimacy with God.”
The word “intimacy” often conjures up feelings of a romantic relationship between a man and a woman. In fact, we use the word to refer to a sexual relationship enjoyed by a husband and wife. However, that is only the sixth definition by dictionary.com. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
According to blogger Leah Hickman “America has a loneliness problem.”
In an article in ChristianHeadlines.com Hickman reports that “the health insurer Cigna recently conducted a survey on loneliness in the United States. In the final report, about half of the 20,000 respondents said that they struggle with loneliness—specifically, “sometimes or always” feeling alone or left out. The study also found that two out of every five respondents felt isolation, a lack of companionship, or a lack of meaning in their relationships.” Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
Today is The National Day of Prayer.
Following a joint resolution in Congress, President Harry Truman signed it into law in 1952. Every President since has signed a proclamation observing such a day. In 1988, President Reagan with unanimous consent of Congress designateded the first Thursday of May to be the annual day of National Prayer. Continue reading
John W. Gardner, who wrote the book “Excellence” says we have the potential to make a difference, not only in our own lives. But also in the lives of those we meet.
Gardner illustrates that point by relating the true story of a cheerful old gentleman who invested his life in others.
When the old fellow met people he never asked the conventional questions that we usually ask such as “What do you do for a living?” He always asked, “What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?” Continue reading
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Last night Norma Jean and I attended a meeting at the Eastside Church of Christ in Denton, Texas, and heard a wonderful lesson from Tim Jennings, who reguarly preaches for the Spring Creek Church in Plano.
Tim’s message was from Acts 8-10, entitled “The Redemption Triangle.” Our readers will profit from his insightful thoughts from these chapters. Continue reading
Filed under Salvation
Elton Trueblood, the noted and often quoted 20th-century theologian and author of 33 books on very serious subjects once wrote a book entitled “The Humor of Christ.”
It is said that Trueblood was inspired to write on the topic after reading Jesus’ words about a log protruding out of the eye of a hypocrite that made his four-year-old laugh. (Matt 7:3-5) Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
With the beginning of baseball season, this caught my eye on facebook from my friend and preaching colleague, Jim Deason. Jim admits that he was “a passionate Atlanta Braves fan,” but now is just a “casual fan.”
While reading the baseball scores, Jim came across this line regarding the Phillies-Braves game from the night before. “Herrera roped a would-be double to right, but he loafed into second base and was tagged out by Dansby Swanson.” To Jim’s delight, Swanson plays for the Braves, and the loafer, Herrera, the Phillies.
Then, Jim posted this pertinent observation: Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
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