“Joy in the Midst of Navigating LGBT Issues”
by Andrya Dieter
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Let “Bible-Belt Near Christianity” Die? Um. Yes.
This is precisely what several of us have been saying for years. Bible Belt near-Christianity is teetering. I say let it fall. For much of the twentieth century, especially in the South and parts of the Midwest, one had to at least claim to be a Christian to be “normal.” During the Cold War, that meant distinguishing oneself from atheistic Communism. At other times, it has meant seeing churchgoing as a way to be seen as a good parent, a good neighbor, and a regular person. It took courage to be an atheist, because explicit unbelief meant social marginalization. Rising rates of secularization, along with individualism, means that those days are over—and good riddance to them.
Read the rest of this article and shout AMEN with me (or cuss me out, depending on your perspective) right HERE.
I’ve got such a fun treat for anyone who loves books and has kids who love books. And even if you and/or your kids hate books (perish the thought), it’s likely because they’ve never read books like these. Allow me to introduce you to Freddie Cottonmouth. An unassuming 10-year-old boy who has some pretty bizarre […]
This book is the perfect length for a bedtime story, yet it tells the epic story of God’s love for humankind from creation to the present in a simple presentation for children.
About a year and a half ago I began getting together regularly with other women in destructive marriages. We would pray together. We did a lot of weeping and subsequent nose blowing. A lot of laughing. A lot of venting. It was a safe place where we could let out all the pent up emotions […]
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
True, Joseph did forgive his brothers. And by the end of the story, he reconciled himself to them. But here is the part most biblical counselors leave out:
Joseph did not reconcile until he had tested his brothers’ repentance.
Read the rest of this article HERE.
Stupid People
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Pr. 12:1
Proverbs 12:1 makes me giggle everytime I read it. The Bible uses the word stupid? Really?! I looked it up to see the Hebrew word, and sure enough, it means stupid. It could also be translated brutish or senseless. Whichever translation you use, the word is sobering in connection with something the vast majority of us hate – reproof.
Reproof is a negative comment, reprimand, or rebuke. Nobody LIKES negativity. Nobody likes being reprimanded. But the wisdom from Proverbs 12:1 is you better not HATE it. Dislike of reprimand is normal. Hate of reprimand will destroy you.
Read the rest of Wendy’s article HERE. I forwarded this to my older children with a little note telling them that I am fervently praying they will grow in wisdom and be open to reproof when it comes. I did give the caveat that some people get their kicks out of reproving every dot and tittle, and wisdom also requires us to take some reproof with a baseball sized grain of salt. However, when you hear echoes of the same reproof coming from two or more sources, it may require some serious consideration. People who don’t seriously consider reproof are fools. You can read more about how to know if someone is a fool HERE.
The direction of our lives is shaped by the bazillions of small, every-day choices.
Three Disciplines to Develop Wise Speech
(Red brackets are my addition to the text to help the reader see how this applies to all of us, not just “leaders.” You could put the word “sister’s” or “friend’s” or whatever other word you want in there. Make it applicable to YOU!)
You’ve tasted and seen the effects of a wise leader’s [mother’s] words, and you want to be that kind of leader [mother]. You want to speak words that deliver, delight, gladden, and heal. You’d like to be able to defuse, persuade, inspire, and influence. You can picture leading such Bible studies [or children around the dinner table], but you don’t know how to move in that direction. You see the potential, but you don’t know how to realize it.
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to feel stuck. Proverbs describes not only the product but also which best practices will help you get there. The following 3 tips don’t include everything that could be said about how to become a wise leader [mother]. But if you give yourself to these 3 disciplines, you’ll quickly find, by God’s grace, you have something to offer. “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Prov 10:21).
This article was rich and convicting. Read the rest HERE.
A reader asks, “Tell me, how are your children affected by your mistakes? Is it possible to make mistakes and still raise children who have a great relationship with you and can look back on their life and not feel like they’ve been really wounded?”
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) influence on our culture is growing, and with that, unique opportunities to share the love and joy of Christ. Come be challenged to understand and respond, and to equip our children to stand strong in the face of this cultural reality.