Zach Anderson is in court today. Again. It’s the last place his parents, Les and Amanda Anderson, ever thought their 19-year-old son would be.
Zach is described as a “typical teen-ager. He’s into computers and wants to build a career around his love for electronics.” But his plans for the future are banished. At least for now. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
“Great Bible Themes” is the focus of the 36th annual Southside Lecture. My preaching colleagues and I began with four fundamental lessons that speak to human need and God’s empathy for the human race.
Don Truex addressed “The Disastrous Effects of Sin.” Roger Shouse shared “The Vastness and Beauty of God’s Love.” Kenny Moorer expounded on “The Wideness of God’s Mercy.” And I spoke of “The Joy of Fellowship with God.”
These four great themes deal with the reality of life. The nature of mankind. The need that is common to us. And the nature and personality of our Creator. Continue reading
Last night Norma Jean and I watched Megyn Kelly’s exclusive interview with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar as they discussed the child molestation charges against their son, Josh.
Leading up to the interview we saw clips of the intense criticism toward the Duggar family from various news outlets. They have been called “hypocrites” and much worse. The vitriolic venom emanating from some sources has been excoriating. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, Sin
“Stupid is as stupid does” is a quote you probably recognize from Forrest Gump.
Who you may not recognize is Jonathan Gruber, and his recent quote that is being played on many media outlets. Gruber, a MIT health economist, helped craft the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.
In a moment of incredible candor, Gruber admitted to a University of Pennsylvania audience last year that the bill passed because of the “stupidity of the American voter.” Gruber explained, .. if you had a law which said that healthy people are going to pay in — you made explicit that healthy people pay in and sick people get money — it would not have passed.” Continue reading
“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”
Sounds like a silly question, doesn’t it? Who would think it’s good thing to sin? I mean sin a lot! So, when you sin God gives you more grace.
It is actually a serious question raised by the apostle Paul in the book of Romans. And he gives a serious answer. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
Several months after moving to Kansas City my friend, Dick Harmon, gave me an autographed copy of Dr. Karl Menninger’s classic book, “Whatever Became of Sin?”
Dr. Menninger, a well-known and highly respected Psychiatrist, wrote that “The very word ’sin,’ which seems to have disappeared, was a proud word. It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word. It described a central point in every civilized human being’s life plan and lifestyle. But the word went away. It has almost disappeared—the word, along with the notion.”
“Why?” asks Dr. Menninger. “Doesn’t anyone sin any more? Doesn’t anyone believe in sin?” Continue reading
Filed under Sin
The much-anticipated movie “Noah” debuted this past week-end. The film was a #1 box-office hit, raking in $44 million. Director Darren Aronofsky, an avowed atheist, created controversy by saying his film was “the least biblical, biblical movie ever made.”
Reaction has been mixed, both among critics and Christians. Continue reading
Last night in our Bible class at Hickman Mills we were studying the miracles of Jesus. There is a very brief, but powerful encounter Jesus had with a leper. Here’s Matthew’s account.
“When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matt 8:1-3)
There are at least three things noteworthy about this narrative. Continue reading
Eric Ferguson was taking out the trash last August from his Mooresville, N.C. home when he was bitten on the foot by a poisonous snake. He drove himself to the Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. However, the bite that stung the most was the hospital bill! Continue reading
Filed under Sin
Devin Dickey says he was just going for a jog late Sunday evening. While pausing to stretch, three men in a car stopped, and ordered him in the car at gunpoint.
After driving around for awhile, they stopped and one the guys asked, “Do you know who Trayvon is?’
I said, “No,” thinking of somebody local. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
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