Some good reading (and watching) I found today.
“Humility is strong—not bold; quiet—not speechless; sure—not arrogant.” —Estelle Smith
[VIDEO] Ken Davis always cracks me up! When the doctor says, “Don’t drive” … don’t drive!
Feeling beat-up? Max Lucado reminds us to rest in Christ’s finished work.
[VIDEO] Greg Koukl answers the question: What Is Marriage Anyway?
Tim Elmore discusses communicating with youth using pictures, stories and steps.
Here are the links to some interesting reading I found today.
“A poll of hundred college students about their Facebook habits revealed that those who posted numerous status updates each day actually experienced positive mood swings that a control group did not experience. Those who posted more frequently felt less lonely and more connected to friends. The reason? While sitting behind a computer screen may seem isolating, updating your status keeps friends on the brain when you can’t see them in person. Researchers actually call it ‘social snacking.’” Read more of Tim Elmore’s post How Facebook Affects Your Mental Health.
Interesting: How Many Bible Passages Speak To Homosexuality?
[VIDEO] I liked this part of Kevin Durant’s MVP acceptance speech.
How scientists can see cancer cells in action.
Appalling! Planned Parenthood helps an accused serial rapist cover up his crimes!!
“The fetus, though enclosed in the womb of his mother, is already a human being, and it is a monstrous crime to rob it of life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house then in a field, because a man’s house is his place of most secure refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a fetus in the womb before it has come to light.” —John Calvin, commenting on Exodus 21:22-23
[VIDEO] John Maxwell and Nick Vujicic remind you that you are unique.
I first became aware of this amazing love story two years ago, and this story has continued to astound me! I am so excited to hear about the book that will be coming out soon. In the meantime, you can keep up with Ian & Larissa Murphy by checking out their blog, and you can help pay for Ian’s physical therapy by buying one of his paintings.
Some great reading I found this weekend.
“God’s work on this earth languishes when God’s people give up their ministries of prayer and supplication.” —A.W. Tozer
Very thoughtful: Why We Should Say “Yes” To A Culture Of Marriage.
Hmmm … Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop When Planned Parenthood Locations Close.
An informative article about the Holy Spirit: Jesus’ Closest Companion.
“Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes.” —Martin Luther
“It becomes those to be generous who are the children of a gracious God.” —Charles Spurgeon
Debunking 7 Myths About Marijuana.
This is so cool! Laser surgery conducted on twins girls while they were still in the womb.
Where is the outrage in the mainstream media?! Pakistani married couple sentenced to death for their “anti-Islam” texts.
Some great reading I found today.
“Pray till you pray. Pray till you are conscious of being heard. Pray till you have received an answer.” —Moody Stuart
“Anxiety about our family is natural, but we shall be wise if we turn it into care about our own character. If we walk before the Lord in integrity, we shall do more to bless our descendants then if we bequeathed them large estates. A father’s holy life is a rich legacy for his sons. … Our integrity may be God’s means of saving our sons and daughters. If they see the truth of our religion proved by our lives, it may be that they will believe in Jesus for themselves.” —Charles Spurgeon
“Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces. It is based on the anthropological truth that men and women are different and complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the social reality that children need both a mother and a father. Marriage predates government. It is the fundamental building block of all human civilization. Marriage has public purposes that transcend its private purposes. This is why 41 states, with good reason, affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman.” Read more from the Heritage Foundation about the value of marriage.
I’m always saddened when I hear of Christians who stumble in sexual sin. Whether it’s a real relationship with someone not their spouse or a virtual relationship with pornography, the pain and consequences are heart-wrenching.
King Solomon offers some sage advice to help us have victory in this area, which is summed up in just two words: maintain discretion (Proverbs 5:2). These are among his opening words before he describes the sweeter-than-honey, smoother-than-oil allure of sexual temptation.
This phrase—maintain discretion—emphasizes a strategy that is designed and thought-out prior to the moment of temptation: “maintain” means to keep close at hand and ready to use. This is the complete opposite of deciding in the moment. “The Moment” is usually emotionally-charged, intellectually-lacking, and comes at the most inopportune time when you’re at your most vulnerable point.
Solomon says to have a plan in place ahead of time to “keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house” (v. 8).
An even better plan is to make the relationship with your spouse (or future spouse) something so exciting and fulfilling (vv. 15-19) that any momentary temptation appears puny, shallow, and even abhorrent by contrast.
Wisdom is helpful in “the moment,” but it’s even more effective in keeping you away from “the moment.” You don’t have to be a victim of sexual sin, you CAN maintain discretion.
Some links to some interesting reading and quotes I found today.
Good thoughts from John Stonestreet: How Will Your Church Deal With Same-Sex “Marriage”?
“If we divide ourselves between God and Mammon, or Christ and self, we shall make no progress. We must give ourselves wholly to holy things or else we shall be poor traders in heavenly business, and at our stocktaking no profit will be shown.” —Charles Spurgeon
A very intelligent post on the Noah movie: Gnosticism And Kabbalah In Aronofsky’s Noah. And if you want to read Dr. Brian Mattson’s complete post (which is referenced in the Gnosticism article), read Sympathy For The Devil. Here is one passage from Dr. Mattson’s post—
“In Darren Aronofsky’s new star-gilt silver screen epic, Noah, Adam and Eve are luminescent and fleshless, right up until the moment they eat the forbidden fruit. Such a notion isn’t found in the Bible, of course. This, among the multitude of Aronofsky’s other imaginative details like giant Lava Monsters, has caused many a reviewer’s head to be scratched. Conservative-minded evangelicals write off the film because of the ‘liberties’ taken with the text of Genesis, while a more liberal-minded group stands in favor of cutting the director some slack. After all, we shouldn’t expect a professed atheist to have the same ideas of ‘respecting’ sacred texts the way a Bible-believer would. Both groups have missed the mark entirely. Aronofsky hasn’t ‘taken liberties’ with anything. The Bible is not his text.”
Fathers, here are 7 Things A Good Dad Says.
Parents not allowed to cheer for their own kids on the basketball court?! Yep! Check this out from Dr. Tim Elmore: The Rules We Create When We Lack Emotional Intelligence.
“When we cannot climb the ladder of prayer, surely God comes down to the foot of it where we lie. … We are His and He is of our kind—only all that is infinitely better.” —George MacDonald
“Are you aware of a brother or sister whose marriage is in turmoil? If so, what do you do about it? Do you merely tell others what a shame it is that they are about to break up? Or do you bring up their names to the Lord and strive for them in prayer? Do you desire this ministry of being a helper in prayer? If you don’t know anyone with a need, start by praying for all Christian marriages and all of God’s saints. Your prayers do not have to be long. Simply state your request, and trust God to hear you.” —David Wilkerson
These are some links and quotes I found interesting today.
“It could be argued that since everyone these days owns his own copy of the Scriptures, the need for the public reading of the Word is not as great as formerly. If that is true, then let us not bother to read the Scriptures at all in our churches. But if we are going to read the Word publicly, then it is incumbent upon us to read it well. A mumbled, badly articulated and unintelligent reading of the Sacred Scriptures will do more than we think to give the listeners the idea that the Word is not important.” —A.W. Tozer
“Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin it will choke prayer.” —J.C. Ryle
“The Church today is in a stupor regarding the power of prayer. A veil has fallen over the eyes of millions. And now, whenever they face trouble, the last place they turn is to Jesus. They abandon the secret closet and, instead, turn to psychology, counselors, books, friends—everywhere but to the Lord. If you say your marriage is a wreck and you want it healed, I wonder how much time you spend shut in with God. How many times have you turned off your television for an hour just to sit before Jesus and unburden your soul? How many meals have you missed so you could fast for your marriage?” —David Wilkerson
The Obama administration continues to lie about ObamaCare: We Never Mean A Word We Say
These are links to articles and quotes I found interesting today.
[INFOGRAPHIC] How Long Is The Bible?
This is a part of a lengthy quote from Richard Baxter about a husband’s responsibility to maintain marital love: “Take more notice of the good, that is in your wives, than of the evil. Let not the observation of their faults make you forget or overlook their virtues. Love is kindled by the sight of love or goodness.” Check out the full quote.
[VIDEO] A pregnant mom finds out her son has Down Syndrome, and she’s scared. Watch how children with Down Syndrome respond to her.
John Piper on Lesbian Sex, HIV, Esau and Christ.
“You ask ‘for what’ God wants you. Isn’t the primary answer that He wants you. We’re not told that the lost sheep was sought out for anything except itself [Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7]. Of course, He may have a special job for you: and the certain job is that of becoming more and more His.” —C.S. Lewis
These are links to articles and quotes I found interesting this weekend.
Read this one prayerfully: Why Christian Supporters Of Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Are Wrong.
Some on-the-go missionaries explain How Technology Helps Our Marriage.
Continue to let your voice be heard to save Pastor Saaed from his wrongful imprisonment in Iran.
Amen! “The minister must experience what he would teach or he will find himself in the impossible position of trying to drive sheep. For this reason he should seek to cultivate his own heart before he attempts to preach to the hearts of others.” —A.W. Tozer
[VIDEO] John Maxwell explains why failure is not fatal.
[VIDEO] HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius proves why so many people don’t trust Washington, D.C.
Scientists show that the 5-Second Rule for food on the floor is legit!
“It is a mistake to think we must feel good before we pray; we need to pray most of all when we feel poor, and empty, and weak.” —Hannah Whitall Smith
Craig T. Owens 