According to a recent poll by Lifeway Research of 1,000 Protestant Pastors, 44% said their “people’s political views” were difficult to deal with.
Additionally, 48% of the respondents expressed concern regarding, “people’s strong opinions about nonessentials.”
“Congregations are filled with many opinions,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
My Mom always said, “Kenny, If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.”
I suppose many growing up in the 1950s and early 60’s heard similar instructions from their mothers as well. That same, solid, sound advice could use a revival in today’s polarized culture with its toxic rhetoric.
Today, June 1st is a good day to begin because it’s “National Say Something Nice Day” according to the holiday calendar of unusual, weird, and wacky holidays. Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Relationships
Last week Norma Jean and I attended the “Golden Grads” luncheon during the Florida College Lectures.
It’s a reunion of FC classes spanning the years from 1947-1971. This is the third year we’ve attended. You do the math. If you think you’re not getting older, this is a good reminder.
But it’s an enjoyable time to reconnect and catch up with those in your graduating class, as well as previous and subsequent classes now scattered around the country. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
We are now 45 days into the government shut down due to COVID-19. Although some states are gradually opening up, it will admittedly be some time before we’re back to some sense of normalcy, which some are calling a “new normal.”
It may be another month before some states will allow churches to resume public assemblies. When will sports venues open? Or theme parks? Or concert halls? How long will people be wearing masks? Social distancing? Or working from home? When will we be able to cross the Canadian border? Travel to Europe? To take an Alaskan cruise? Who knows? Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19
Die-hard college football fans are probably aware of an ongoing feud between sports personality Paul Finebaum and Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney. I just read about it the other day.
Apparently, after Clemson beat in-state rival South Carolina 38-3, Finebaum objected to Swinney’s post-game remarks and called him “the most annoying winner in all of sports on ESPN’s “Get Up” program. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
According to a recent survey by LifeWay Research, “more believers are heeding the scriptural call to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior’—but they’re often doing discipleship on their own.”
Compared with a survey a decade ago, more US Christians have “made improvements in areas like reading their Bibles daily, prioritizing obedience to Christ, and avoiding temptation, (however) their connections with fellow Christians have weakened.” Continue reading
Filed under Fellowship
Our blog post last Friday was about the same-sex marriage scene in the PBS children’s cartoon show Arthur.
One of our regular readers very kindly responded that he didn’t see the show “advocating a lifestyle of homosexuality. Instead, he offered “a completely different picture.” Continue reading
Filed under Relationships, Values
With the beginning of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament fondly known as “March Madness,” I’m reminded of a significant sports and societal event that occurred on this day.
On March 19, 1966, Texas Western College, now known as The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), defeated the University of Kentucky, 72-65, to win the National Championship. It was unique because it was the first time an all-black starting five had won the NCAA championship. The Kentucky Wildcats, coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp were an all white team. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
This week all the rage has been Gillette’s controversial ad. It opens with the narrator asking “Is this the best a man can get?”
The opening scenes show men and boys bullying, being obnoxious and harassing women. As men stand behind their barbecue grills and two little boys fight, the men are muttering “boys will be boys” implying that bad behavior is justified.
Interestingly the response has been mixed. First there was a backlash. Now there’s a backlash against the backlash. The YouTube video currently stands at 145,000 likes and 454,000 dislikes. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
Some time ago one of our regular readers requested that I write something regarding “How Should Christians disagree with each other?
Experience tells us that good men and women with honorable intentions can have disagreements. We can hold conflicting opinions. And reach different conclusions. The challenge is how do we get along when we disagree? Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
ThePreachersWord 