For all the preachers out there:
Don't overcomplicate your sermon this Easter. Resist the urge to over explain. Just preach Christ crucified and resurrected. Then trust the resurrected Christ to work powerfully by His Spirit. ~ J.T. English
@DrFrankTurek Make sure he/she is actively involved in a good, Bible-teaching church. And if so, have YOUR pastor call HIS/HER pastor for a character reference. This will answer a lot of important questions.
Following much consideration and prayer, I have decided to transition out of the pastorate after thirty years. Effective this June, I have accepted a position on the teaching faculty of Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, North Carolina. Over the last few years, as the Lord has opened an increasing number of doors to me, I found ministering to younger men preparing for ministry and in ministry both fulfilling and valuable. I am not old, but I am not exactly young either. I want my remaining years to bear as much fruit for the Lord's work as possible. I also feel a responsibility to steward the writing ministry the Lord has granted me more effectively. I believe both of these things can be accomplished better outside the pastorate.
Ambassador Baptist College, founded in 1989 by Evangelist Ron Comfort, is now led by Evangelist Alton Beal. In the decades since its founding, it has placed hundreds of men into independent Baptist ministry. It is solidly conservative and dedicated to teaching the Scriptures. Every major requires at least 60 hours of Bible. At Ambassador, I will join a staff of other experienced former pastors and missionaries, teaching these precious young people the Word of God. I will also continue traveling and writing, doing all I can to help the next generation.
I informed my church here in Dubuque of this transition some months ago. Though this was difficult for them to accept, I appreciate the understanding and support they have given me. My desire is that the Lord will bless them richly in the years to come.
I would be grateful for your prayer. Equipping God's men for leadership in the local church is a grave responsibility. Additionally, the change for my wife and me is not inconsiderable. For the last 1,488 weeks, we have labored, leading, and serving three churches. We have poured our lives out for those people in ways impossible to explain for these decades. Each church has done well. Our greatest wish is for this work to continue, but our current need is for patience, wisdom, and grace as we walk together into a new future. In prayer, you can help us, and I thank you in advance for doing so.
Millennia ago, Paul told Timothy, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." We have Christianity in our generation because Timothy heeded Paul's words. The time has come for me to do the same.
Never rejoice at the failures and hurts of others…especially those who are brothers and sisters in Christ.
If you stay in the race long enough, you will limp at some point.
The same grace we withhold today is the grace we will beg for tomorrow.
I understand and appreciate that George Clooney would want to get his children away from the influence of Hollywood—that’s a good decision. No matter where we live, it is important that parents do their best to protect their children from evil and unhealthy influences. I’m also glad that cell phone companies have come out with options that allow kids to call without the ability to use the internet. https://t.co/9J70mosMKT
60% of women ages 18-24 were married in 1970 but now it’s 8%. This is catastrophic! Women no longer want marriage and children (the bedrock of nations) but want college and careers instead during their most fertile and beautiful years. “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” (1 Tim 5:14)
One day, Christmas morning will be quiet. No early little footsteps. No wrapping paper everywhere. And you’ll sit there missing the past that you once rushed through. So, this Christmas slow down & let the mess stay. Let the noise fill the house bring joy to your ears.
This is a picture of femininity. Yeah, it’s fake but true. Long hair, feminine clothing, and making bread at home. It’s far more beautiful than any picture of a career woman could be.
Arguments often last too long because one person is too stubborn to forgive, or the other is too proud to apologize.
Be humble and value your relationship over your pride.
All of you younger women who spend so much time creating an online presence, just remember that if you decide to stop, few will miss you. Your husband and children NEED you. Your presence is vital in their lives. Fully invest in your children while they’re under your roof. The online stuff can wait. They grow up quickly.
Since God daily loads us with benefits, shouldn't we daily notice them and thank Him?
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah" (Psalm 68:19).
How about if people went to a psychologist for depression and instead of being given a drug with side effects such as depression and suicide, they were told to go on a low inflammatory diet (no sugar, no seed oils, no fast food, and few carbs), take a 1/2 hour walk outside every day, memorize Philippians, learn hymns and sing often, kick out negative thoughts immediately and replace them with Truth, stop scrolling so much, and stop watching news? I bet their success rate would be far higher!