John Blevins III

Sinner saved by grace, husband to an amazing woman, father to three extraordinary sons, pastor and bondservant of Jesus Christ.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

My X TL
• Soli Deo Gloria
• Ordinary Means, Extraordinary Grace
• Theology, Tech & Tolkien
• History, Western Civ & Sci-Fi Musings
• Culture & Events I Find Fascinating
• RT ≠ Endorsement
• I Don’t Reply to Everything

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

A few weeks ago, at the 53rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), my fellow elders and I, serving as commissioners, voted to encourage PCA congregations to give thanks to the Lord for the United States ... Read More At the Link
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[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

The city’s road crews had been working around the clock for weeks. They began at the city’s edge and methodically worked inward toward the center. As the Mayor looked on from the large stone steps of City Hall, a worker unbolted the last street sign in the city. The man, in his reflective vest and hard hat, held up a sign reading “Main St.” with the clear expectation that his picture would be taken amid the cheers of the gathered crowd. As if on cue, loud cheering and clapping broke out that continued even after the sign was thrown in the back of the maintenance truck containing the last pile of traffic signals and street signs.

Anthony stopped clapping when he heard the mayor begin to address the crowd.

“Today is a historic day that will be remembered in our city for a very long time. Together, we’re stepping into the future free from the signs and signals of a past era. No longer will you be kept in bondage to the ways of the past. Friends, we don’t need the restrictive directions of an outdated mindset. From this moment forward, remember, you know the way!”

The mayor’s final words echoed in Anthony’s mind as he looked at the empty signpost while quietly saying to himself, “I do, I do know my way.” ...

Read More at the Link

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[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

“We don’t know if the models are conscious. We’re not even sure that we know what it would mean for a model to be conscious or whether a model can be conscious. But we’re open to the idea that it could be.”

— Dario Amodei, Chief Executive of Anthropic, quoted in The New York Times

Artificial intelligence will never become conscious, not because it is insufficiently advanced or complex, but because consciousness is not the product of computational power. Consciousness is a property of embodied, ensouled image-bearers created by God.

Many people outside the AI industry do not fully grasp the magnitude of the technological revolution unfolding before us. Those who are paying attention are often unsure how to interpret what they are seeing. Even industry leaders sometimes speak uncertainly about what artificial intelligence actually is. The conversation has become confusing for many because both experts and regular users are mistaking complexity for consciousness. ...

Read More at the Link

https://t.co/gaiw5kwSVl

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

https://t.co/Ml2Ff9t6Pp

A little over a decade ago, I was ordained and installed to my first call as a minister of the Word, prayer, and sacrament. In God’s providence, I was placed as an Associate Pastor alongside a Senior Pastor who was both older in years and seasoned in ministry. It was a fitting place to learn the work of a teaching elder.

The congregation was large enough to require two pastors, yet small enough that the labor of ministry remained deeply personal. Elders and deacons faithfully led a church marked by service, and the members sought to live as salt and light wherever the Lord carried them throughout the week.

During my first week, I learned a lesson that has stayed with me: the difference between an office and a study. ...

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[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

I have been writing for a while, privately, as a way to think through topics, continue learning, work on the ever-dreaded grammar, and have a little fun. While some of my former scribbles may never be shared, I have decided to post some things publicly going forward. This Substack is mine, and it doesn't represent the church I serve.

https://t.co/MUhGfAanrf

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

Per gratiam Dei fidelis esto in omnibus.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

The Reformation was crucial because it recovered the true gospel and authority of God’s Word as the Western Church departed from the ancient paths. The Protestant Reformation restored the Church to the biblical truth that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. The Reformation liberated believers from man-made traditions, reestablishing the Bible, not the Church, as the final authority for faith and life. As the Roman Catholic Church has continued to veer away from the ancient paths of the faith, Protestants are the continuing church.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

Last Thursday, September 11, 2025, marked twenty-four years since the 9/11 attacks. It was a somber day of remembrance that came in the midst of several weeks of violence across our nation, with the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.

Charlie was known for his Christian faith, his love for his family, and his pursuit of civil dialogue with those who disagreed. He never hid his love for Jesus, regularly shared the gospel, defended biblical ethics, and treated others with dignity as image-bearers of God. He leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children. I am praying for the Kirk family and encourage you to join me in prayer.

It is evil to murder someone over disagreeing with their viewpoints. Yet perhaps most disturbing this week is how many of our neighbors openly celebrated his assassination. This reveals a dangerous cultural moment, where violence against opposing viewpoints is not only tolerated but applauded and encouraged. If you celebrated this heinous act, I encourage you to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Find a Bible believing church and get involved. I am praying for you.

How should the Church and Christians respond to such evil? The Church will not retreat or hide. We need to grieve with those who are grieving, lament evil and its celebration, pray, gather to worship, live by faith, and love the Lord and our neighbors. Rather than being silenced, every Christian should be salt and light every day and everywhere. Our neighbors need the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, let us pray for boldness, for opportunities to witness Christ, and for God’s grace to sustain us. For Jesus is our only hope!

To my fellow elders, especially in the PCA, men, we must be sons of Issacher.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

https://t.co/6J3rYJJ71u

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

Today seems like a good day to start using Twitter again. 😃👍

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

@ChrisJohnsonDoz @LifelineChild Thank you! May the Lord bless y’all’s labors. @ChrisJohnsonDoz @LifelineChild

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

Please join us in prayer for today's meeting of the Tennessee Valley Presbytery of the PCA. Pray the Lord may shower us with His grace as we serve Him and His people.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

@DeaceProducer #BuySellHold...Aleksander Solzhenitsyn’s ”The Gulag Archipelago” should be required reading for all American citizens.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

@DeaceProducer #BuySellHold...Disney+’s Star Wars Mandalorian Episode One and Two are better than The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi combined!

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

@DeaceProducer Buy/Sell/Hold: Star Wars Mandalorian Episode One is better than Force Awakens and The Last Jedi combined.

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

”Reformed experiential preaching is preaching from the preacher's heart to the hearts of God’s people.” @JoelBeeke

[Gospel Reformation Network (GRN) @gospelrefnet]

During the month leading up to #PCAGA, the GRN wishes to highlight and show our thanks to our many supporting churches.

Today, we’re thankful for @CovPresPCA Oak Ridge, TN pastored by Dr. Nick Willborn and @JohnBlevinsIII! Thank you!

https://t.co/ghYEJDNequ

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

Tonight my oldest son will play his first game of football ever. He is very excited, and I am proud of all his hard work so far this season. In just a few weeks of practices, I've watched the Lord use this game to grow my son in toughness, humility, and determination!

[John Blevins III @JohnBlevinsIII]

Dads and moms teach your children to read the Bible every day, to obey God’s Word, how to pray, how to pray without ceasing, to love Christ’s bride the church, to attend Lord’s Day corporate worship weekly, to share the gospel, and most importantly to love God and your neighbors!