Here’s an editorial regarding the value that is added to not for profit organizations by affording tax deductions to donors who support their mission. For years, government has toyed with the idea of eliminating tax deductions for charitable contributions. Given the present state of our nation’s economy, it should come as no surprise that legislators…
Month: October 2012
Children’s Ministry Matters
Here’s an excellent blog post from StickyFaith.org on the church’s need to value and prioritize Children’s Ministry! Check it out HERE.
Pew Forum Research on Religious Restrictions Around the World
The Pew Forum has released new data showing a trend toward global crackdown of religious freedom in the world. The two headlining statistics reveal that 75% of the global population live in countries where restrictions to religious freedom is “high.” The other eye catching stat is that 37% of the world’s nations have in place…
The Lord is My Provision:: 3
The final word of Psalm 23:5 I focused on was the word CUP. When shepherds had to carry water to the flock they would fill the bucket or trough to the brim. A full bucket was easier than a nearly empty bucket to drink from. In mid-eastern culture the full cup is a sign of…
The Lord is My Provision:: 2
The second word in the passage I dealt with was OIL. The word oil, like many biblical words, has layers of meaning and interpretation. Shepherds would use oil to anoint the heads of each individual sheep. This heavy oil could be used as an insect repellant, providing relief from flies and other insects. Oil was…
The Lord is My Provision:: 1
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings” (Psalm 23:5, NLT). In the fifth verse of the 23rd Psalm, threats are turned into triumphs. Leaving the dismal valley of the shadow of shadows, several transitions are evident….
The Lord is My Comforting Presence
The 23rd Psalm begins with warm tones and rich images. David has taken a brush and palette and painted a beautiful scene including green meadows and calm pools of water. It is pastoral and tranquil; the kind of place one would desire as a respite. But the landscape changes in verse four, where the contour…
Helicopter Parents
Here’s and interesting take on the so-called “helicopter parents” by Brink Lindsey published in The Atlantic.
Git Yer Wimmin’ en Line!!
I don’t know if you heard about this or not, but an Iowa church is embroiled in controversy after being challenged by a member for making available pamphlets on the upcoming judicial retention vote in our state. When the female member appealed to the I.R.S., the Pastor allegedly stated from the pulpit that he’d “like…
The Un-churching of America
The Pew Forum for Religion in America has recently released a new study citing that one in five adults in America is unaffiliated with any church. You can find the full and abridged versions of the study by clicking HERE. Even with the continued growth of the mega church movement in America, these numbers come…
