The Hope of Heaven Fuels Life Today

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January 19, 2024

Somewhere in the heavens a giant reservoir holds an ingredient essential to life: hope. In fact, heaven is saturated with hope and it rains down upon us. he hope of heaven overflows into the everyday atmosphere of our lives.

In the 21st century “hope” is simply the poetic version of wishful thinking. These days “hope” is the stuff of dreams: it’s thin as the air. It’s the currency of desperation. In the modern world hope is a counterfeit traded by losers. The simple word hope has come to mean something unsure and doubtful. Everyone hopes for the best, but prepares for the worst. When we talk about hope in everyday language we are really talking about our insecurities: who knows how things will really work out?

But last night I read these amazing words: “The faith and love that spring from hope that is stored up for you in heaven.” (Colossians 1:5) The Apostle Paul was writing to a community of believers he had never met. He had heard of their faith in Jesus. He had heard of their love for one another. Paul knew immediately that these people had tapped into an eternal source capable of funding such faith and love. They had tapped into hope.

The Hope of Heaven

This is a revelation: in heaven, where every need is met and there’s no more crying or sorrow, hope remains. Paul describes it as the stockpile of heaven, ready to energize faith and love in the here and now. Why would we love another person if there were no hope for them? Why would we have faith in the promises of God unless there is evidence that these promises are sure?

The hope of heaven is not a destination; it’s a resource available to us now. Even in the valley of despair, a door of hope remains open, because heaven is open to us now.

How to Worship With Our Wallets Apart From the Worship of Money

By

Mark Roberts

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January 19, 2024

I can think of several reasons not to write an article called “Worship With Your Wallet.” First, it sounds like a sermon from a sleazy televangelist trying to squeeze a few more dollars out of his gullible audience. Second, given our current economic crisis, suggesting that we worship with our wallet may seem insensitive to people’s real-life challenges. Third, worship leaders are only too familiar with the refrain: “The church cares way too much about money.” In an effort not to offend people, we’ve avoided the subject of money and worship. Besides, most of us who lead worship aren’t especially comfortable with the relationship of our own faith to money. But if we want to lead people in fully biblical worship, then we simply can’t ignore money and its relationship to worship. In truth, Scripture frequently highlights this connection. From a biblical point of view, worship has plenty to do with your wallet and with the wallets of those you lead in worship, with engaging in the worship of money.

How to Worship With Our Wallets Apart From the Worship of Money

Worship and Offerings in the Old Testament

Consider, for example, the fundamental nature of worship in the Old Testament. Though the Israelites sang songs and prayed prayers, the core of their worship was offering sacrifices and gifts in the temple in Jerusalem. Giving tangible offerings was a way for people to express their devotion to the Lord. Such worship was costly, requiring that people give up valuable animals, produce, coinage, and precious metals.

The Old Testament prophets sometimes condemned people for giving material offerings while failing to live a life pleasing to God. Without justice, the Lord wasn’t interested in people’s offerings, or even in their songs of praise for that matter (Amos 5:22-24). Yet, when the Israelites were generous to the poor, this was a gift to God Himself (Prov 19:17). Their worship centered in acts of costly giving, both to the Lord’s work in the temple and to His people in the world.

Worship as Giving in the New Testament

Because the early Christians believed that Jesus had given himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Heb 7:27), they did not maintain the Jewish tradition of offering sacrifices in the temple. But followers of Jesus did continue to give financial gifts as an expression of their gratitude to God (2 Cor 9:6-15). Generosity with one’s economic resources was expected of Christians (Rom 12:8), especially of the rich (1 Tim 6:17-19). Their giving helped poor Christians (Rom 15:26) and supported other believers in their ministry efforts. Paul told the Philippians that their financial gifts for him were “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Phil 4:14-18). God received generosity in his name as worship.

Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last: Here’s How to Reprioritize

By

Lane Palmer

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January 18, 2024

You might often hear that you should live each day as if it were your last. But what does that really entail? What if today really were your final day on earth? Read on for insights from a fascinating post at YouthMinistry.com.

The oft-maligned band Nickelback had a hit titled “If Today Was Your Last Day.” The song is a clear reminder that even though we’d like to think we have a long time to live here on earth, no one really knows. We definitely have no guarantees.

So in light of that, Nickelback poses these great questions:

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
Would you call those friends you’ve never seen?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you’ll finally fall in love?
If today was your last day

So…what if today really was the end? How would you spend it?

How to Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last

Most of us assume we have all the time in the world. So we fritter and waste away the hours and days on mostly meaningless activities that really make no difference in the grand scheme of things.

That’s what Nickelback is getting at, and I think it’s worth contemplating. You don’t want to look back at the end of your life with the burden of regret. Oh yes, many people do. Instead of passing into eternity with a triumphant feeling of squeezing every drop of juice out of life, their souls are weighted. They lament all the “if only” and “why didn’t I?” flashbacks of life.

You know whose life didn’t end with regret? You know who modeled how to live each day as if it were your last? The Apostle Paul. Read and reflect on what is probably the last thing he wrote in the Bible:

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Did you catch the parallels between Paul’s last words and “If Today Were Your Last Day”? They both have a clear statement of “I’m going beyond this culture’s annoying habit of wasting the days that I could have spent with passion and investment in things that last forever.”

No Regrets

Paul spent his days pouring out his life like a “drink offering” to God, because he knew two critical things. First, Jesus Christ will return—and can at any time—and call all true believers into his kingdom. Second, after his return will be a Judgment Day, when we will all give an account of how we spent our earthly time.

Those two facts became the engine and the fuel of Paul’s life. As a result, he wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, and God used him to spread the gospel throughout the world.

Valentine’s Crafts for Kids: 4 Lovely Projects for Sunday School Classes

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ChildrensMinistry.com

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January 18, 2024

Need fresh new ideas for kidmin valentine’s crafts? Here are four fun Valentine’s Day activities for Sunday school children. Kids will “love” making—and giving away—these heartfelt creations.

It’s the season for sharing God’s love with others. So help kids say, “I love you!” with these heartfelt children’s ministry Valentine’s Day crafts.

4 KidMin Valentine’s Crafts

1. Pop-Up Cards

When kids make these simple 3-D cards, their words of love will hop right off the page and into the hearts of their friends or family members.

Supplies:

cardstock
construction paper
child-safe scissors
crayons or markers
glue sticks

First, kids will…

Decide whom to give their card to.
Think about what makes that person so special.
Silently pray and thank God for that person.

Then, kids will…

Fold a piece of cardstock in half.
In the center of the folded edge, cut a one-inch slit toward the open edges of the card. Leave a 1-inch space and cut another one-inch slit parallel to the first.
Open the card and pull out the strip so it creates a little step in the card.
Inside the card, write what they love about the recipient. Or draw that person a lovely picture!
Cut a heart from construction paper. These heart templates can help! Then glue the heart onto the step.
Test to ensure the card will close with the heart hidden inside. The heart may need to be trimmed to remain hidden inside the card.
Glue a piece of construction paper to the outside of the card to cover the slits.
Finally, write the recipient’s name on the outside of the card.

2. Wrap ’n’ Roll Valentine

You’ve never seen a valentine like this before! This delightful Valentine’s craft lets upper-elementary kids wind up words of love for friends or family members.

Supplies:

cardstock
copy paper
child-safe scissors
clear tape
½-inch pieces of jumbo drinking straws (2 per child)
regular drinking straws (1 per child)
pencils or markers

First, kids will…

Decide whom to give their wrapped-up valentine to.
Consider what they love about that person.
Silently pray and thank God for that person.

Then, kids will…

Cut out the largest heart that fits on 8½ x 11 cardstock.
Fold a piece of copy paper into fourths the long way. Then cut on the folds to make four long pieces of paper.
Tape the four pieces of paper together to create a long, skinny strip. Flip the strip over and tape all the seams so each side of every seam is taped smooth.
Tape the pieces of the jumbo straw at the top and bottom of the heart as close to the edge as possible.
Insert the regular straw through the jumbo straws.
Center the straw and tape one end of the long paper to the regular straw. Wind the length of the paper onto the straw by spinning the straw.
Then write messages on the paper. If kids aren’t sure what to write, encourage them to finish this sentence: “Here’s what I love about you…”
Wrap the paper around the straw again so it’s ready to be given away!

Franklin Graham Is ‘Glad NBC Is Facing Some Backlash’ for Deleting CJ Stroud’s Praise to Jesus

By

Stephanie Martin

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January 18, 2024

NBC is under fire for making a controversial edit of its Jan. 13 post-game interview with Houston Texans’ rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. After the outspoken Christian became the youngest modern-era NFL player to notch a playoff victory, he talked live to NBC’s Kathryn Tappen on the sidelines.

Stroud began by saying, “First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Then he thanked Houston and all the fans for their love and support, calling himself “super blessed.”

NBC edited out Houston QB CJ Stroud’s praise of Jesus Christ in their post-game interview posted to X.

Why did @SNFonNBC remove Stroud saying “First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord, Jesus Christ.” https://t.co/gmmmn2HeFT pic.twitter.com/H2R7qzVGGO

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 17, 2024

When NBC later posted part of that interview on social media, the outlet included Tappen’s question but edited out the first part of Stroud’s answer, when he praised God first. On X (formerly Twitter), the Sunday Night Football on NBC account shared a 22-second clip, with a clear cut between the reporter’s question and the athlete’s answer. “CJ Stroud has a lot of love for his city,” the caption read.

NBC Appears To ‘Pick and Choose’ From CJ Stroud’s Response

On Jan. 16, Citizen Free Press shared a side-by-side comparison of the original and edited interviews, writing, “Why did @SNFonNBC remove Stroud saying ‘First and foremost, I just want to give all glory and praise to my Lord, Jesus Christ.’”

A follow-up post stated, “You thought people wouldn’t notice that you edited out Stroud’s statement of faith and gratitude but we have the receipts.” Thirty minutes later, Citizen Free Press posted about the topic again, writing, “It’s disconcerting to realize NBC is actively censoring a player praising Jesus after a massive win. Would NBC have censored his speech if he praised transgenders or Palestinians?”

Many commenters expressed disappointment and anger at edit, accusing NBC of anti-religious censorship. “Woke corporate doing work corporate things,” someone wrote. Other comments claim the network hates Jesus and is Communistic.

In his re-post of the original and edited clips, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks wrote, “Embarrassing from NBC…If you want to have the privilege to interview athletes, you don’t get to pick and choose what our response is. Shoutout CJ for honoring Jesus through it all.”

Not everyone is siding against NBC, however. “It is about him talking about the city. It’s a clip for Houston,” someone commented online. “Fake outrage shocker.”

Joel Osteen Celebrates As Lakewood Church Pays Off $100 Million Loan

By

Dale Chamberlain

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January 18, 2024

Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston is celebrating a milestone achievement for the church. The congregation has paid off a $100 million loan that was used to renovate the church’s facility.

“I never dreamed that we would be here,” Osteen said in a special message on Sunday. “But, you know, this building—every time I come in—it’s a testimony that God’s dream for your life is much bigger than your own.”

Osteen continued, “You keep honoring God, you keep doing the right thing, and—I really believe this; I can say it with passion—God’s going to take you where you never imagined.”

Lakewood Church, which was founded by Osteen’s father, John Osteen, in 1959, meets at what was once the Compaq Center, the former home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Joel Osteen took over as pastor of the church in 1999 after the death of his father.

Under Osteen’s leadership, the church has grown from an average weekly attendance of 5,000 to more than 50,000, according to the Houston Chronicle. Osteen is the author of numerous books, including seven New York Times bestsellers.

Although Osteen famously does not take a salary from Lakewood Church, his net worth is well into the millions. And while he is widely beloved, he has also been widely criticized through the years for his connections to the prosperity theology movement, which argues that financial wealth and physical well-being are always the will of God for Christians.

In 2001, Lakewood Church signed a 60-year lease with the city to begin meeting at the Compaq Center. The cost of that lease, $11.5 million, was paid with money left to the church by Osteen’s father. In 2010, Lakewood Church purchased the building from the city for $7.5 million.

Nevertheless, the facility needed significant capital improvements, from transforming the inside of the arena from a basketball court to a worship auditorium to converting locker rooms and concession areas into children’s facilities and other meeting spaces.

Additionally, Lakewood Church sought to construct a five-story building to house the church’s television production offices. Osteen also wanted to renovate the exterior of the arena.

Eventually, Lakewood Church secured a loan from Bank of America for $100 million. The building project took roughly a year and a half to complete.

After 20 Years, Terry Mattingly Bids Farewell to GetReligion

By

Bob Smietana

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January 18, 2024

Terry Mattingly GetReligion — The GetReligion homepage and logo on Jan. 17, 2024. (Screen grab)

(RNS) — Terry Mattingly has spent most of his life trying to get religion.

An Orthodox Christian convert whose father was a Southern Baptist preacher, Mattingly began working on the religion beat in the early 1980s, specializing in profiles of religious rock stars as a music columnist and copy editor for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, not far from the University of Illinois, where he earned a master’s degree in communications.

He went to work for the Charlotte News and Charlotte Observer — where he once got a behind-the-scenes tip involving Jim Bakker of PTL — and then to the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, before becoming a journalism professor and longtime writer of the nationally syndicated “On Religion” column.

A proud curmudgeon, Mattingly is known for his outspoken opinions and blunt criticism, as well as his loyalty and willingness to make friends with people he disagrees with.

“I don’t write people off. I don’t want them to write me off,” said Mattingly in a recent interview from his home in the mountains of Tennessee.

For the last 20 years, Mattingly has been best known as editor of GetReligion.org — a website dedicated to promoting and critiquing religion coverage in the mainstream media. He recently announced that the site — which launched on Feb. 1, 2004 — will shut down next month. No new content will be posted, though the site will remain online as an archive.

GetReligion was launched to do three things: promote religion coverage, especially stories from “God beat” specialists; to look for “religion ghosts” — stories where the role of religion has been overlooked; and to defend what Mattingly calls “the American Model of the Press,” driven by fairness and objectivity rather than by preaching to the choir.

Mattingly and the site’s writers still believe in the model, he wrote in a post announcing the decision to close GetReligion, but the algorithm-driven realities of the news business were “too much to overcome.”

“The reality in today’s America is that many, many readers have simply moved on,” Mattingly wrote.

He believes the site accomplished its goals of promoting religion reporting and highlighting religion stories that would have otherwise been missed. But the news business has changed so much, he said, that readers are no longer interested in the kind of journalism he wanted to affirm and protect.

“We’re not even talking about journalism the same way,” he said. “So how do I defend a business model that no longer exists?”

When he first launched GetReligion in 2004, with the help of Christian journalist Doug LeBlanc, Mattingly said there was no long-term plan. Instead, he was intrigued by the idea of blogging, which then was beginning its heyday. He was inspired by Andrew Sullivan, a former senior editor of The Atlantic whose “Daily Dish” made him one of the so-called blogosphere’s first stars.

Open Doors 2024 Watch List Highlights Persecution of Sub-Saharan African Christians

By

Fiona Andre

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January 18, 2024

Open Doors International — A map of the 2024 World Watch List Top 50 compiled by Open Doors. (Image courtesy of Open Doors)

(RNS) — In its annual list detailing countries of concern when it comes to persecution against Christians, the watchdog organization Open Doors International highlighted outbreaks of violence against sub-Saharan African Christians, where 16.2 million were forced out of their homes at the end of 2022.

The report, published at the beginning of every year, tracks discrimination and violence against Christians and ranks countries based on the severity of the threats faced by Christian communities there.

The 2024 list looks at attacks against Christians from October 2022 to September 2023 and is based on data collected by field workers, experts and persecution analysts.

This year’s report notes that violence against sub-Saharan African Christians, a long-term problem according to the organization, is the consequence of actions by autocratic regimes and jihadist groups.

“Christians are purposefully targeted or extra vulnerable in a continent that is beset by the twin problems of radical Islamic elements and increasingly autocratic regimes. This is the ever-growing threat for Christians south of the Sahara Desert and, if left unchecked, these twin pressures are expected to overwhelm them and force them out of their homes and villages,” wrote Frans Veerman, Open Doors World Watch Research’s managing director, in a statement.

More than 82% of Christians killed for their faith globally this year were in Nigeria, according to the organization, which has the country ranked as No. 6 on the 2024 list. Boko Haram, the jihadist group responsible for the abduction of 276 Christian schoolgirls in 2014, though still active has ceded power to the Sunni Islamic extremist group ISWAP, which has extended its influence into majority Christian southern Nigeria.

Violence against Christian communities is particularly concerning in the Plateau state of Nigeria, which has seen a rise in attacks against rural communities by armed gangs.

Voids in governance and security plague countries of the region and have given jihadist groups occasions to take control over certain areas, explained the report.

In Mali, the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, which is there as an ally of the current military junta in power, has expanded its presence and made it harder for local Christian communities, per the list.

“Their influence has significantly stifled the civic space for Christians,” according to the organization.

The Wagner group, formerly run by President Vladimir Putin’s ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, until he died in 2023, was involved in several abuse cases conducted with the Malian army, according to Human Rights Watch. It is also present in other African countries — including Libya, Central African Republic, Sudan Faso—and has replaced other Western powers in the region.

Christians fear being associated with voices who criticized the presence of Wagner on the continent, according to Open Doors.

Chicago Pastors Help the City Grapple With Flood of Migrants

By

Rebekah Barber

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January 18, 2024

Chicago migrants — Locals and migrants attend a banquet at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago on Nov. 30, 2023. (Photo by Max Li)

(RNS) — Chicago was already facing a homelessness crisis before Texas’ Republican governor, Greg Abbott, began directing thousands of migrants entering his state to Democratic bastions that had declared themselves migrant-friendly sanctuary cities.

Since the transfers began in April 2022, more than 20,000 migrants, many of them destitute Venezuelans, have arrived, and many Chicagoans have expressed concerns that the city’s resources are being drained and have accused government officials of failing to communicate about the migrants’ cost and their fates.

At the same time, advocates for the migrants, especially community organizers in more vulnerable neighborhoods, have pushed back against attempts to pit two marginalized groups against each other. These groups have stepped up to support the new arrivals and in many cases have found allies in local faith leaders.

When the Rev. David Black, pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, in the city’s South Side, learned that migrants would be housed at a shelter just two blocks from his church, he knew his congregation would need to help the neighborhood respond.

“There’s already plenty of need present in this community,” Black told Religion News Service. The challenge, he said, was “to support those who are coming into the community and also find ways that the situation can be a support to people who are historically living in the community.”

As Black considered what this support should look like, he was having conversations with local leaders such as Paula Gean, founder of Chicago4All, which works to connect long-term residents with new arrivals like the recent migrants.

Gean, who immigrated to the United States from Colombia when she was 3, said she owes her family’s success as immigrants to the support of neighbors in their new home. In her work today, she often looks to churches to play that role and frequently collaborates with faith leaders like Black.

“It’s been really a joy to be able to follow her leadership and vision, and she’s been very, very engaged,” Black said. “She rightly recognizes that in the South Side of Chicago, churches are a really important center of community and civic life.”

Through the partnership with Gean, Black mobilized First Presbyterian to host banquets and community conversations at the church so migrants and neighborhood residents could come together to build fellowship.

A banquet on Nov. 30, attended by more than 150 people, included translators to facilitate communication, and the Rev. Stephany Rose Spaulding, a diversity and inclusion consultant, led conversations on neighborliness.

The Rev. Edward Morris Sr. is pastor of Parkway Gardens Christian Church in the predominantly Black Woodlawn neighborhood nearby. He saw the arrival of the migrants as a natural challenge for his church, which was planted in the 1950s to serve residents of a nearby apartment complex. The congregation decided then to join the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) because the denomination has a history of mission.

“It’s always been a community-driven church,” Morris said. “On the very front of the church building, it says, ‘For all people.’”

3 Functions Within Life Cycles of an Organization

By

Ron Edmondson

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January 18, 2024

There are life cycles of every organization. Over time an organization will likely have many separate cycles.

But I have also observed another dynamic within life cycles. In each life cycle, the most successful organizations I have been a part of had a team skilled at three separate functions.

The 3 Functions Within Life Cycles Are:

Starters

Starting involves those who can dream, vision-cast, and recruit people to follow a new idea or initiative. These are the people who embrace change and are always ready for something new. (BTW, this is the group where I typically fit.)

Maintainers

Maintaining involves setting up and managing systems in an effort to continue the progress usually begun by others. These people may be slower to embrace change; valuing things which are organized, structured, and understandable. (BTW, every team needs these people to be successful.)

Finishers

Finishing is different from starting or maintaining, because it’s not beginning new, nor is it staying the same, but it involves taking an established idea and carrying it to the next destination. It could be to improve things, close them gracefully or transition things to a new season of leadership. These are people who have the ability and desire to make existing things better and to finish things well.

Here’s Why This Matters in an Organization:

In my observation, people tend to lean towards one of the three, and may be comfortable in two of them. I have found it rare for someone to be gifted in all three. But on successful teams, all three are operating together within a life cycle.

Personal example: I love being a starter. Since I was in high school, I’ve wanted to start clubs or initiatives, alter the direction of something, or stir up some intentional change. It is one reason I’m consistently tossing out new ideas to our team. (It’s also how I frustrate them most.) I can live in the finisher role for a time if it involves development or innovation, but I always drift back to starting something new. And I burn out very quickly in the maintaining position.

One goal of a team could be to balance the strengths of the team members around each of these, so the team is always starting, maintaining, and finishing. The most important thing is that the team and leaders recognize that each of these functions of a life cycle are equally important.

Every healthy life cycle requires all three.

Which one are you wired for best?

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

6 Results of Relational Evangelism

By

Emma Schenkel

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January 18, 2024

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Every youth pastor wants to see their students on fire for Jesus. But what’s the best way to help them get there? Youth ministry tradition says a weekly game, 20-minute sermon, and the occasional special event can do the trick. But tradition is losing its impact on today’s teens who need and want more. Instead, let’s look at 6 things that happen when you switch gears and start to focus on relational evangelism.

6 Results of Relational Evangelism

1. STUDENTS GO DEEPER

Sharing the Gospel involves risk. Risk taking helps teenagers learn deeper and faster. Your teenagers will master what they believe because they need to articulate it to their peers.

2. WORSHIP GETS RICHER

Sharing the Gospel and seeing students come to Christ supercharges the atmosphere like nothing else. Praise gets real.

3. THINGS GET MESSY

Yes, your teens reaching out to the bad, broken and bullied at school can bring “those kids” into your youth group. Embrace it! It should create some Jesus-inspired awkward teaching moments.

4. MEETINGS HAVE A MISSION

Instead of just a holy huddle, your youth group meetings can be outwardly focused, filled with students sharing stories and be inspired for their mission outside of the four walls of the church building.

5. PRAYER IS STRENGTHENED

Relational evangelism can be nerve-wracking, and nerve-wracking situations trigger prayer. Prayer triggers dependence on Jesus. And dependence accelerates spiritual growth.

6. YOU BECOME THE COACH

Your students have 100 times more influence with their peers than you do. Allowing them to take the lead empowers them for the work God has created them to do.

This article on the results of relational evangelism originally appeared here, and are used by permission.

The Path to Becoming Complete in Christ

By

Ray Hollenbach

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January 18, 2024

Here’s a real-life parable about the path to becoming complete in Christ:

Back in fifth grade I talked in class–a lot. When saintly Mrs. Wilson reached the limit of her patience, she made me write, “I will not talk in class” one hundred times on the blackboard. It was a classic educational moment. I was so short I needed to use a chair to reach the top of the board. I thought I would never finish. If only they had cut and paste back then! When I returned to school the next day (you guessed it) I still spoke out of turn in class.

The list of things I should not do has grown longer since those days: I should not slap people in the face when they drive me crazy; I should not wager the mortgage money on my lucky Lotto numbers; I should not text in the movie theater (or while driving); and I should not spend as much time as I do cruising the social network. Perhaps you can add to the list of things I should not do.

Don’t bother: I’ve given up trying not to do things. There are several problems with trying not to do things. I have a bad memory for rules, I lack the discipline, and I usually lack the will to follow them.

The Path to Becoming Complete in Christ

The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest rule-followers ever, yet he became a messenger of freedom. Imagine a man who had memorized every one of the 613 points of the Old Testament law writing these freedom-filled words:

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2: 20-23)

This same Apostle of freedom had exchanged one kind of teaching for another. As a result, he had but one goal for his converts: that they would resemble Jesus, that is, become complete in Christ:

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)

Both passages refer to “teaching.” Both teachings have becoming complete in Christ as the goal, yet the two kinds of teaching produce very different results. Part of the mystery of Paul’s letter to the Colossians revolves around this very issue and provides the perfect questions for preaching the path to becoming complete in Christ. In my experience, pastors rarely talk about such questions with their congregations:

What kind of “teaching” can lead me to complete in Christ?
What does “perfection” mean?
Is it possible in my life?
What does the Spirit mean when he says “in Him you have been made complete” (Colossians 2:10 – NASB)?

We could spend a lifetime in Paul’s letter to the Colossians looking for answers, but in my experience, these questions are rarely asked. Perhaps preaching these things to your congregation could change the course of their lives as followers of Jesus. Do you dare?

This article on becoming complete in Christ originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

How to Fulfill the Law of Christ

By

Chet Gladkowski

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January 18, 2024

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) Mary Ann is skilled in so many ways that it just makes my head swim! She sews, paints, gardens, and teaches with such great skill and wisdom that the only thing I can do is shake my head in amazement.

Thankfully, I do have a role to play, helping her with all the things that she so skillfully accomplishes.

Nerd. When it comes to technology, I’m so happy to be able to help with her phone and laptop.
Carry. When it comes to lifting or carrying something heavy, I love being able to pick up, dig up, and move things for her.

While the nerd thing is good, I really enjoy jumping at the chance to carry things for her. I used to ask her to wait, but I’ve found out that there is no time like the present to help by carrying anything and everything for her.

I know that it probably sounds like a little thing. But it doesn’t matter because I want to help her in any way I can. Digging a hole for a tomato plant, cutting down overgrown limbs, getting her sewing machine out, putting the ironing board away. It doesn’t matter. I love helping her because I love her.

The Law of Christ

This is the way it works. Love motivates and energizes helping. And carrying each other’s burdens is one of the ways we are to help one another. And just in case you didn’t know it, we all have burdens that are just too big to carry ourselves.

Notice that Paul tells the Galatian Christians to carry burdens. Not a burden, but burdens. Plural. More than one. We each have burdens that we can’t carry by ourselves.

The command is that we are to be presently and actively carrying burdens with and for one another. We are to willingly help carry the burdens of other Christians.

And when we help, we’re to be sympathetic to their problems and pains. We’re never to look down our nose at them. They are our brother and sister, someone who Jesus died for. That takes away any room for pride in our hearts, minds, or words.

And oh, by the way, when we help carry burdens, there’s no guarantee that we won’t get caught in the backwash of their burden. We might also experience heartache and unkindness along the way.

We have a responsibility for others in our Christian community. Yes, I said responsibility. It’s not a suggestion or something that we optionally get to choose if we have enough time and energy.

And why? Because when we help carry burdens for one another, we are responding to God’s love for us. We are motivated to fulfill the law of Christ.

Phil Cooke’s Favorite Travel Apps

By

Phil Cooke

-

January 18, 2024

I travel a lot – way more than most people. I remember walking up to the American Airlines ticket counter at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) a few years ago, and even from a distance, the agent looked at me and said, “Mr. Cooke! It’s so great to see you again!” At that moment, I thought if the lady at the ticket counter at the sixth busiest airport in the world knows my name, I’m showing up way too much! The bottom line is I’ve experienced everything – missed flights, delays, cancellations, mechanical problems, disruptive passengers, and even a bomb scare in the air. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on these favorite travel apps.

Phil Cooke’s Favorite Travel Apps

So, how do I manage such a time-consuming part of my life? You may never get in the fixes I often find myself, but if you fly at all, you should consider these favorite travel apps that have made my life much easier:

Start with the official app from your airline – You should get whatever airline app you travel with the most, but for me, it’s American. Compared to the old days of printed tickets, having the app is a miracle. Not only does it list my flights, status, upgrades, and gate numbers, as well as book tickets and change them, but I can also create my boarding pass right there. (The less time I have to spend at ticket counters, the better). Most airlines have that capability these days, and if you’re not using it, you’re making a huge mistake. In fact, I have about 9 different airline apps for those times I need a different ride.

Flighty – Honestly, I probably use Flighty more than the airline app. Not only does it provide all the information the airline app does, but it also tells me in real time where my plane is, arrival forecasts, and much more. In addition, I think when it comes to flight status and delays, it’s more accurate than the airline app, so I really depend on it.

Tripit – This is the home base for all my trips. In Tripit, I can find my flight, hotel, rental car details, and more. I don’t refer to it regularly, but it’s great to know I can find everything about the trip on a single app.

Marriott Bonvoy – Marriott is my first choice of hotel, so having the Bonvoy app not only has the details of my trip but also my past trips and my current status, and creates an electronic key so I can bypass the check-in counter completely. As I said about the airline, get whatever app comes with your hotel preference.

Timescroller – For international travel, this is the best app ever. You can create a long list of cities from anywhere in the world, and it will list their current time. Better, you can scroll forward or backward in time, and all those cities will stay in sync. Do we need to do a conference call next Tuesday at 10am Bangkok time? Just scroll to that date and time in Bangkok, and Timescroller will instantly tell you the time in your city.

Currency – This app does the same thing as Timescroller, except with currencies. You’ll always know how the US dollar compares with any currency in the world. It’s really indispensable for international travel.

Google Translate – And speaking of international travel, Google Translate is amazing. You type in a phrase or just take a photo of a sign, quote, or whatever, and it translates it from almost any major language. There are probably other similar apps out there, so let me know if you have other suggestions.

Seat Guru – I got hooked on Seat Guru years ago, and it’s the best way to check out your seat on a flight. Particularly if it’s an international flight on an unfamiliar airline, it’s always good to make sure your seat is where and what you think it is. It also lists details like power plugs, in-seat screens, if there’s a window on your row, and how far it is to the restroom.

My TSA – This app isn’t life or death, but it does keep me up on details regarding airport security. And by the way – if you don’t have “TSA Pre-Check,” get it.

Ride Share – I keep Uber, Lyft, and even international rideshare services like Bolt on my phone because these days, I’m using those services as much, if not more, than rental cars.

Priority Pass – Finally, when you spend as much time at airports as I do, then lounges are a lifesaver. They have free food, beverages, WIFI, a special help desk, and offer a quiet place to work. I normally use the AA Admiral’s Club lounges, but in airports where there isn’t one, Priority Pass can help. By the way – the Lounge Buddy app will tell you what lounges are at each airport and exactly where they are.

If you only travel once or twice a year, many of these apps won’t be so important, but if you’re in a job where you’re on the road a great deal, then check out these options. I can confidently say they will make your journey much more pleasant.

This article on favorite travel apps originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Improve Your Youth Ministry Program With 7 Simple Steps

By

Greg Stier

-

January 17, 2024

Looking for easy ideas to improve your youth ministry? Then check out these 7 pro tips that lead to powerful impact.

I love youth leaders. Although I get to train thousands of them across America every year, one of my favorite things is learning from them. Many youth leaders implement very effective strategies to create the most impactful programs possible.

With that as a backdrop, I’ve narrowed down seven simple ideas to improve your youth ministry. They come from youth leaders across America, so they’re tried and tested. Implement them today to ensure your program thrives.

7 Ways to Improve Your Youth Ministry

1. Prioritize prayer.

In 2013, Dare 2 Share commissioned a national research project that helped us uncover the best practices of the best youth groups. This shouldn’t have surprised us, but the No. 1 characteristic of effective youth groups was their commitment to prayer.

Youth leaders prayed. Students prayed. Adult volunteers prayed. The program had extended times of prayer before meeting and, in some cases, during the actual meeting. The simplest way to deepen your youth ministry impact is to deepen your commitment to prayer, both personally and programmatically.

2. Take time to prepare a lesson that rocks.

The most effective youth leaders I know are committed to preparing each lesson to the point of excellence. These youth leaders think ahead. They labor over their teaching outlines, illustrations and exegesis to make sure they present the best talk possible.

Far too many youth leaders go to a lesson-outline-churning website the afternoon before their program and frantically try to find something that will hit the mark. But the best talks are thought over and prayed over long in advance. They have just the right blend of content, creativity and interactivity.

3. Build the best student leadership team possible.

I’m shocked when I talk to youth leaders who don’t have a student leadership team. Youth leaders worth their salt recruit high-will, raw-skill teens and train them to be high-will, high-skill student leaders. These types of kids aren’t just willing to set up folding chairs before youth group. They’re willing to fill up the other teenagers they are seeking to reach and disciple!

If you want to fast-track your training efforts with high-will teenagers, then take them to Lead THE Cause. It’s a one-of-a-kind rapid intensification event for leadership development and disciple multiplication.

4. Equip teens and adults to win, build, train…repeat.

You need to inspire and train youth and adults to win the lost, disciple new believers and share Jesus with others. Then you must equip them to repeat the process. This takes intentionality and focus. You need to put training events on the ministry calendar that equip them to do this effectively.

Many youth leaders I talk to include this kind of training in annual camps or retreats. They also do curriculum series (such as Shine) throughout the year so kids and adults can navigate a gospel conversation from takeoff to touchdown in a simple, natural way.

‘I’m Slightly in the Place of Terror’—Greta Gerwig Admits She’s ‘Intimidated’ by ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’

By

Janna Firestone

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January 17, 2024

Greta Gerwig Narnia — UKinUSA, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

When Greta Gerwig accepted the director role for Netflix’s upcoming “The Chronicles of Narnia” films, she was expecting to relive much of her childhood. The films are based on the beloved book series by C.S. Lewis—a much different theme and vibe from Gerwig’s recent work on “Barbie” (2023). What Gerwig didn’t expect, though, was to be “intimidated” by the project.

“I loved Narnia so much as a child,” Gerwig told BBC Radio 4’s Today.

Adapting ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Has Become an Intimidating Project for Greta Gerwig

The beautiful, engaging story of “The Chronicles of Narnia” with deeply developed characters is a monumental project for sure. According to NarniaWeb, Gerwig will direct at least two films for Netflix. Film titles and expected release dates have not yet been announced.

“I’m slightly in the place of terror because I really do have such reverence for Narnia,” Gerwig said.

Gerwig added, “As a non-British person, I feel a particular sense of wanting to do it correctly…It’s like when Americans do Shakespeare, there’s a slight feeling of reverence and as if maybe we should treat it with extra care. It is not our countryman.”

‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Director Greta Gerwig Has a Christian Background

Gerwig shared, “I loved Narnia so much as a child. As an adult, C.S. Lewis is a thinker and a writer. I’m intimidated by doing this. It’s something that feels like a worthy thing to be intimidated by.”

Netflix Film chairman, Scott Stuber, affirmed that Gerwig was the right director for the film adaptations. Her skills as a successful director, as well as her life experience, combine into a unique level of expertise for the project.

Stuber told MovieWeb, “[Gerwig] grew up in a Christian background. The C.S. Lewis books are very much based in Christianity. And so we just started talking about it.”

The seven books of “The Chronicles of Narnia” depict a fictional land and how primarily four siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Luch) interact with the land’s characters.

Throughout the series, “The Chronicles of Narnia” provides a number of life lessons housed in a delightful story with significant references to the gospel. An ongoing battle between Aslan, a lion, and the White Witch is a classic good versus evil storyline. And, Aslan, the creator and sacrificial savior of the land of Narnia, showcases the gospel as a Christ figure.

“So, it was just a great opportunity, and I’m so thrilled that she’s working on it with us. And I’m just thrilled to be in business with [Gerwig],” Stuber said. “She’s just an incredible talent.”

A Brief History of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’

C.S. Lewis penned the incredible story of “The Chronicles of Narnia” in seven books from 1949 to 1954. Over the decades, the series has been adapted for television, radio, the stage, film, and video games.

Should We Drink Coffee in Church? John Piper Gets to the ‘Heart of the Matter’

By

Jessica Lea

-

January 17, 2024

A September tweet from Pastor John Piper questioning whether it is appropriate to drink coffee in a church sanctuary on Sundays has gotten 2.8 million views and prompted a variety of reactions. Addressing the issue on Monday, Jan. 15, Piper said he wanted to cut to “the heart of the matter”—which is not about drinking coffee during Sunday service.

“The heart of the matter is not coffee in the sanctuary. That’s only a symptom, and there are lots of other symptoms of what I’m concerned about,” Piper said in an episode of “Ask Pastor John.”

“The heart of the matter is the absence of an existential, ongoing, terrifying, shocking, awe-inspiring, trembling, mouth-shutting, comforting, safe, satisfying encounter with the majesty and mercy of the great ‘I am who I am’ (Exodus 3:14),” Piper explained, “whose Son said, ‘Before Abraham was, I am’ (John 8:58). And he was killed for it.”

John Piper’s Coffee Tweet

On Sept. 30, John Piper tweeted, “Can we reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits? ‘Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.’ Hebrews 12:28.”

Can we reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits?

“Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

— John Piper (@JohnPiper) September 30, 2023

As of this writing, the tweet has received 1,500 comments, 1,000 retweets, 2,900 likes, nearly 3 million views—not to mention many jokes about “He-brews.” Author and Bible teacher Beth Moore commented, “Brother John, I think you’d like us Anglicans. Ain’t nobody walking into service with no coffee. We’d receive you gladly.”

Pastor Andy Stanley commented, “I appreciate John attempting to change the subject.” Around that time, Stanley was dealing with the controversy surrounding the Unconditional Conference.

Central to Piper’s question about the appropriateness of coffee in church is his belief that many Christians do not have a reverent view of God. “What’s missing is a kind of experience of God that shapes a person’s entire life with serious joy, glad gravity, sweet sorrow, the weight of glory,” Piper said. “It’s the kind of experience of God that has transformed reverence and awe—those two words from Hebrews 12:28, ‘reverence and awe’—from being mere words into being the profoundest of experiential pleasures.”

The Babylon Bee Again Accused of Racism Following Joke About Vivek Ramaswamy

By

Dale Chamberlain

-

January 17, 2024

Vivek Ramaswamy Babylon Bee — Screengrab via X (formerly Twitter) / @TheBabylonBee

Christian satire site The Babylon Bee is again facing backlash for a joke that critics are characterizing as racist.

The satirical headline came in the wake of Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy suspending his campaign after securing only 7.7% of the vote at the Iowa Caucus on Monday (Jan. 15). In announcing the end of his campaign, Ramaswamy offered his endorsement to former president Donald Trump.

The next day, The Babylon Bee posted an article, titled “Trump Promises Vivek An Administration Position Running The White House 7-Eleven,” alongside a photoshopped image of a disappointed Ramaswamy in a green 7-Eleven shirt.

Ramaswamy is the son of Indian immigrants.

Acknowledging the racial stereotype in the text of the article, The Babylon Bee joked, “When questioned, Trump was horrified at the accusations that any kind of racial stereotyping played into his selection of Ramaswamy. ‘I wanted to offer the job to DeSantis, frankly, but he’s too short to see over the little hot dog display.’”

Replies to The Babylon Bee’s post were quick to condemn the joke.

“The Babylon Bee is satire,” wrote one commenter. “Racist satire.” Another said, “I don’t think there’s a group that it’s more acceptable to be openly racist against than Indian-Americans.”

“I am an Indian-American and I find this grossly offensive,” said someone else. “Are we only good for running 7-11s?”

“If you ever wonder why some people are drawn to write conservative comedy, it’s because you don’t have to put in any effort,” another comment read. “You just regurgitate the racist stuff you’d hear on the playground, not even in a particularly clever way. Pretty easy grift.”

Nevertheless, others sought to defend The Babylon Bee against “woke conservatives in the comments.”

“I don’t get why everyone hates this, it’s hilarious,” one person wrote. “Like, have they never been to a 7-Eleven?”

Vatican’s Doctrine Czar Faces Opposition for Past and Present Decisions

By

Claire Giangrave

-

January 17, 2024

Victor Manuel Fernández — Monsignor Victor Manuel Fernandez, archbishop of La Plata, officiates Mass at the Cathedral in La Plata, Argentina, Sunday, July 9, 2023. Fernandez was appointed by Pope Francis to head the Holy See's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In his first few months as the head of the Vatican’s department in charge of Catholic doctrine, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández had already drawn criticism from conservative and liberal Catholics alike. And since the issuance of a papal decision to allow priests to give blessings to same-sex couples, the cardinal’s own past and writings are now being called into question.

Pope Francis appointed Fernández to lead the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in October, over the complaints of those who said Fernández, an Argentine like Francis, lacked the experience or credentials for the role. Francis, however, signaled his confidence in his new doctrine chief by handing him the red hat of a cardinal.

After his appointment, Fernández quickly oversaw controversial pronouncements, one allowing transgender people to be baptized and act as godparents and another opening the door for women who had children out of wedlock to receive the Eucharist. The department once known for overseeing the Inquisition was suddenly seen as the advocate of acts long topping Catholics’ list of sins.

When on Dec. 18 Fernández published, with the pope’s approval, “Fiducia Supplicans,” the declaration allowing blessing of same-sex or “irregular” couples, provided the blessings don’t resemble Catholic marriages, conservative outrage forced Fernández to issue further explanation of the document, despite having previously said there would not be any clarification. African bishops nonetheless announced that they would not be offering gay couples blessings.

Not long after Fernández’s appointment, critics had sought to embarrass him by discussing a book he published in 1995 called “Heal Me With Your Mouth. The Art of Kissing.” As Fernández was defending “Fiducia Supplicans” this month, a second book, “The Mystical Passion,” was brought to public attention. Published in 1998, it contained explicit descriptions of sex and orgasms, prompting some to question whether the cardinal is fit to lead the doctrinal department.

“When I read the articles about the book by Fernández I was triggered,” said Michael McDonnell, executive director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, in an interview with Religion News Service on Friday (Jan. 12).

According to McDonnell, the language used in the book represents “a red flag for advocates, a red flag for people who have endured abuse for decades.”

In the book, Fernández states that an “orgasm, experienced in the presence of God, can also be a sublime act of worship to God,” and he lays out the differences in the sexuality of men and women, whom he described as “usually unsatiable” after climax.

The cardinal also quoted the 15^th-century theologian Al Sonuouti, saying, “Praise be to Allah, who establishes penises as hard and straight as spears to wage war on vaginas.” In a comment to the Catholic outlet Crux, Fernández said that he would not publish that same book today.

“Individuals like Fernández have been part of the problem and not the solution,” McDonnell said, renewing his appeal for the cardinal to step down. In September, abuse survivors from numerous advocacy groups demanded that Fernández renounce his cardinal status in view of the admitted mistakes he made in handling abuse cases in his diocese of La Plata, Argentina.

Those mistakes have already caused Francis to excuse the prefect from overseeing or even attending the meetings of the discastery’s disciplinary section charged with handling cases of clergy abuse.

But the cardinal is not completely without support. In Germany, where blessings of gay couples have been happening for years in defiance of Vatican regulations, Fernández’s decision on the question has been welcomed as a small yet important step for the church.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Subject of Clergy Misconduct Complaint Over Handling of Allegations

By

Kathryn Post

-

January 17, 2024

(RNS) — Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal Church, is the subject of an internal clergy misconduct complaint for his response to abuse allegations against Bishop Prince Singh, the former bishop of the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan.

Singh resigned in September after allegations that he had physically and emotionally abused his ex-wife and sons, Nivedhan and Eklan Singh. His sons originally disclosed their abuse allegations to Curry in December 2022, but a Title IV process — the Episcopal Church’s protocol for responding to accusations of clergy misconduct — was not launched against Singh until the brothers went public with their allegations in June 2023. For months, the family has called for investigations into Curry and Bishop Todd Ousley, who was the intake officer for Title IV complaints against bishops at the time, saying the two mishandled their allegations by failing to initiate the Title IV process.

“We have been saying the same thing since day one: This has very little to do with a personal conflict between sons and their father, or an ex-wife and ex-husband,” Nivedhan Singh told Religion News Service. “This has always been about holding an institution accountable for a lack of checks and balances.”

A spokesperson for the Episcopal Church confirmed via email that “a Title IV complaint has been received” against Curry and Ousley and that the “Title IV process is at the intake stage.”

Curry, who is in the last year of his nine-year term, has been receiving medical monitoring and treatment for internal bleeding and heart conditions since May 2023. An announcement Thursday (Jan. 11) said he had been released from the hospital after a Jan. 6 surgery for a reoccurrence of a subdural hematoma.

Because she is handling a separate complaint against Prince Singh, Barbara Kempf, the Title IV intake officer for bishops, has recused herself from the Title IV complaint involving Curry and Ousley. She is joined by Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves, who, as vice president of the House of Bishops, was initially tapped to carry out the role of presiding bishop during the Title IV process.

“In light of my current pastoral relationship with Bishop Curry and his family during this challenging time, however, I have concluded that I must disqualify myself from serving as part of the Title IV process addressing allegations against him,” Gray-Reeves wrote in a January 10 email.

Gray-Reeves invited Bishop Herman Hollerith, the retired bishop of Southern Virginia, to be her replacement. But given the camaraderie and close relationships among bishops of the Episcopal Church, the Singhs are also calling for an independent, third-party investigation into Curry and Ousley’s responses.

“I think it’s important that we stop putting bishops in charge of other bishops’ disciplinary action,” said Nivedhan Singh. “You might compare it to police officers investigating other police officers, or students grading their own exams.”

The Title IV process involving Prince Singh, which has been referred for investigation, is ongoing. The Singh brothers and their mother have said Prince Singh physically and verbally abused his sons throughout their childhood, threatened his ex-wife with a knife, threw objects at her and misrepresented facts about his divorce. When Bishop Stephen Lane, provisional bishop of Rochester, New York, received an email with Nivedhan Singh’s disclosure in June 2023, he said it constituted a formal complaint against a bishop and directed it to the Title IV intake officer. The letter Nivedhan Singh sent to Lane, he told RNS, was the same one he sent to Curry the previous December.

“I see that as gross mishandling from the highest level of leadership within a church system, in this case from the presiding bishop himself, who should be well-versed in the practices for Title IV and the canonical requirements for swift action when even a potential Title IV violation is brought about,” said Nivedhan Singh.

This article originally appeared here.

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1. Prioritize prayer.

2. Take time to prepare a lesson that rocks.

3. Build the best student leadership team possible.

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