The Plodding Preacher

You’re only a person if I say so Carmen LaBerge August 25, 2017 We all know ideas have consequences. So, what are the consequences of the idea that human beings define not only moral authority but the moral value of other human beings?  Fringe thinking? Think again. These are the ideas being taught at elite U.S. universities to form the thinking of the next generation of America’s leaders. Elizabeth Harman, a professor of philosophy at Princeton University explained the morality of abortion in an interview on   “Philosophy Times”   with actor James Franco. In part she said:   “Among early fetuses, there are two very different kinds of beings.” We have to stop right there and consider this claim. Her differentiation of beings is a statement of ontological reality. Ontology is term philosophers use when they’re talking about the nature of being, existence, and reality itself. In Professor Harman’s ontology, some people are people when they are in the ...

We do understand what is at stake in terms of the human judgment of history, but we are far more concerned about the divine verdict of eternity. We must speak the truth in love and seek to be good neighbors to all, but we cannot abandon the faith just because we are told that we are now on the wrong side of history. Albert Mohler

For this week's family article, we return to our friend Tim Challies who provides an excellent challenge to nurture our children. Nurture Your Children T here are few roles in which we feel deeper inadequacy than our role as fathers. What suits us to the task of raising little people? What assurance can we have that we are doing it well? What will our children someday say of us? These are big and perplexing questions, so it is little wonder that church bulletin boards are covered with posters for parenting seminars and library shelves are groaning under the weight of parenting books. One study found that in the past 10 years alone, publishers have released more than 75 thousand books on the subject. Parenting is tough, and none of us is fully up to the challenge. Considering the importance and difficulty of the task, we may find it surprising how little direct guidance the New Testament offers us. Its clearest instruction is found in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke...

Too often we only hear of negative news when it comes to the church. This article explains how the church is mobilizing to serve in Houston. From the Flooded Grounds of Houston J. A. Medders Houston, along with its connected neighborhoods, communities, and suburbs, is being pummeled by historic rain and unprecedented flooding. It’s a disaster here. My neighbors—all 6.5 million—are feeling the effects of Hurricane Harvey’s 500-year flooding event. So far 370 billion gallons of rain have hit our greater Houston area—and it has just started. The pictures are nothing short of stunning. Nearly every bayou and creek in the Bayou City has gone over its banks. Meteorologists expect the storm to linger, dragging its rain across our city throughout the coming week. First-responders are working nonstop, risking their lives to rescue others. More than 2,000 rescues have been performed, and with days of rain to come, countless more are in store. While the Fede...

Thou needest to be saved from thyself, not by thyself. C.H. Spurgeon

The key to strong families is a strong marriage.   Ironically, after we wed, we often fail to do the things that strengthened our relationship as we courted.  Today's article is chock-full of inexpensive ideas to keep dating into our married life. 8 Ways to Date Your Spouse without Breaking the Budget Whitney Hopler Dating your spouse is vital to the health of your  marriage , since sharing experiences outside of your normal routines keeps your relationship fresh and strengthens your bond. But traditional dates are often so expensive that couples sometimes neglect dating rather than deal with the stress of paying for pricey dates, like dinner at a fancy restaurant followed by a movie. The good news is that by using your God-given creativity, you can create big romance on a small budget. Here are 8 types of dates you and your spouse can enjoy together for only about $10: Adventure dates.  Imagine that you and your spouse are tourists visiting your h...

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not breceive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mar 10:13-16 ESV) This picture of Jesus is one that I particularly cherish.  While the disciples convey self-importance in rebuking parents who would think Jesus had time for their children, Jesus gently calls the children to himself.  The nature of the scene is even more precious when we consider a couple of factors.  First, the children involved are in all likelihood babes in arms.  They are young enough that the parents are bringing them and it was common practice in 1st century Judaism to ask prominent rabbis to bless infants.  Second, verse...