By some accounts, Christmas cards account for, well, a lot of money. That’s a less than honest way of saying I was too lazy to do the research because I’m already past deadline to get this column to Dave Miller. Anyway, it’s a lot. And so is postage. This is a topic that we need to talk about. I’m feeling particularly soap-boxy today, so let’s get right to it. The first Christmas cards were sent by the ancient Babylonians…OK, again, not really, but look, I’ve got at least 400 more words to get to Dave, so bear with me, this may get better. I do wonder about the origin of Christmas … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget to Send Out Your Christmas Cards
Is It Wrong to Cremate?
I get this question often. Is it wrong to use cremation as a means of disposing of a loved-one's remains? I read another article this morning that said that cremation (a cheaper alternative than burial) is growing rapidly in this difficult economy. That is buttressed by my own conversations with local funeral directors who have observed essentially the same thing. Cremation is becoming more common and we must answer the question whether it was wrong. I would make the following two points: 1) The Bible does not mandate any single way of handling bodies. The Jews did not practice … [Read more...] about Is It Wrong to Cremate?
Celebrating Christmas: Getting to the Root of the Season
Celebration of Christmas at the Miller house has not yet officially begun this year. For me, the celebration really begins when the tree goes up. I have two strong convictions about the Christmas tree. 1) The Christmas tree must be real. For some reason, people get offended when I say this, but "artificial trees are for artificial people." Why would that offend? I can't imagine. But I want Fraser Fur needles dropping on the floor and the smell of pine throughout the house. So what if it triggers allergies? Sacrifices have to be made! 2) The Christmas tree must have so many lights … [Read more...] about Celebrating Christmas: Getting to the Root of the Season
Get to the Right Road Soonest! (by Paul Thompson)
(Paul Thompson blogs at theBridge and offered this take on recent Lifeway research. Thank you, Paul.) On December 7, 2011, LifeWay Research released results of a recent survey on the Perceptions of Faith Groups. I would like to express concerns about some of the underlying assumptions behind the survey. I realize any fool can throw a rock. It was Charles Spurgeon who said, "asking questions are as easy as kissing the back of your hand; to answer them is as hard as fattening a greyhound." It is my attempt here, to fatten the greyhound. It does not surprise me that the findings of Ed … [Read more...] about Get to the Right Road Soonest! (by Paul Thompson)
If you rearrange the letters in Santa you get…
Poor ol’ Saint Nick—sometimes I feel he gets a bad rap. You want to talk about Christmas and wars, don’t forget the old Santa Clause. It reads something like this… Families, Sunday Schools, coffee table, it doesn’t matter. We evangelicals are quite opinionated with our opinions thinking that we hold the mystery of the key of David. What we open no one will shut and what we shut no one will open. After all if it is something we have an opinion on, we must be right! Hence you have those families who see Santa as a fun part of Christmas and family traditions—a jolly ol’ guy in a red … [Read more...] about If you rearrange the letters in Santa you get…
Review of For the City
Churches can be IN the city, AGAINST the city, OF the city, or FOR the city. It is the latter approach that Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter encourage churches to adopt. Actually the word “city” could be replaced with culture. Whether it be a rural farming community, a ghetto, a wealthy suburban area, or a gathering of mountain men in the hills of Kentucky the church has these four options in regards to her response to the culture. The church in the city is primarily focused with bringing outsiders into the church. The church against the city has adopted a defensive posture that considers … [Read more...] about Review of For the City
A Plug for a Friend of Voices
Josh Collins, who has been one of our contributors and commenters (often as Josh C) needs your help. He is in a contest to win a free conference trip - to Verge. Here's the link if you want to help him out. Takes about 2 seconds. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FgdMlYIyd&h=2AQFAvkmEAQEI66sr48LBXuH-90UyQC53GweyTvoWJLeVtw … [Read more...] about A Plug for a Friend of Voices
Christmas and the King of Kings
I wrote this Advent-related post for the church I serve. “The Lord is King forever and ever…” Psalm 10:16 It is not enough to think of Jesus as King of the world by virtue of creation. It is crucial to think of Him also as the coming King of God’s People. That has two things that need to be considered: the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of God. To consider, first of all, the Kingship of God over Israel, we must look back at the Old Testament. Beginning with Exodus, we see God as the King of Israel in opposition to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Pharaoh has oppressed the Israelites and … [Read more...] about Christmas and the King of Kings
Applying Lessons from Penn State to Pine Chapel
The news and the general blogosphere have been giving a bigger emphasis to issues of child abuse and criminal sexual misconduct since the Penn State scandal broke loose. Within a short period of time Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, updated the school’s policy regarding the obligation to report instances of child abuse: I discovered yesterday that the policy handbook of the institution I am proud to lead calls for any employee receiving a report of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, to contact his or her supervisor with that report. That changes … [Read more...] about Applying Lessons from Penn State to Pine Chapel
Discipleship Begins at Home
Deuteronomy 6:5-7, 20-25 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise… 20 "When your son asks you in time to come, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the LORD our God has commanded you?' 21 then you shall say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in … [Read more...] about Discipleship Begins at Home