Next Generation

Supernatural Strength Is Not Just For Superheroes Like The Avengers

Dr. Tommy Boland
7 Jul 2015
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Supernatural

A few weeks ago, Katie, Tank and I went to the opening night of the “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” at the movie theater. Now I don’t like to go opening night because of the crowds, but Tank spends much of his play time with the Avengers action figures, so I let them both talk me into it. We had a blast watching these superheroes with their supernatural strength fighting against evil and winning the day. When the movie ended, Tank said, “Papi, I will always remember we went to see the Avengers on opening night!” Well, that certainly made it […]

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Kids flock to Vacation Bible School Programs

The Good News
3 Jun 2015
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Full of hands-on Bible explorations using skits, songs and stories, interactive games, cool crafts and delicious treats, Vacation Bible School (VBS) is designed to give kids a memorable summer experience that conveys a gospel message. A summer tradition for almost a century, VBS was originally begun by a doctor’s wife, Mrs. Walter Aylett Hawes, who wanted to get kids off the street in New York, and it has been adopted by many churches as a way to engage young children with the word of God in a fun and enjoyable way that helps them learn to overcome obstacles with the […]

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Vacation Bible School

Three Churches, One Body

The Good News
1 May 2015
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three churches, one body

For the first time ever, First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Mount Bethel Baptist Church and New Mount Olive Baptist Church gathered together on April 25th in Fort Lauderdale for joint worship and teaching around common subject matter in an effort to build the kingdom of God. “It was our objective to promote solidarity as churches,” said Bishop C. E. Glover, of Mount Bethel Baptist Church. “We are not in competition, but rather see our roles as complementing and helping each other.” The event was birthed out of a gesture of hospitality. “Dr. Hughes and I both came into town at […]

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Over Spiritualizing Every Conversation is “Juking” Others

Paula Masters
2 Apr 2015
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I first came across the word “juking” several years ago when my college-aged daughter brought it to my attention. On a visit home she explained the meaning of this interesting term. I was floored when she defined it as Christians “over spiritualizing” every conversation. In fact, juking is just that, somehow turning every piece of communication into a spiritual principle, direction or cliche. When she expounded on the subject further, I realized I myself had been guilty of juking. After all, that was the Christian culture; everybody juked. It was expected, especially from those in leadership. Adding a fitting spiritual platitude […]

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over spiritualizing

Are Legalism And Lawlessness Opposites?

Tullian Tchividjian
3 Mar 2015
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“Legalism in the church was a huge problem 7-10 years ago, but I honestly feel that the pendulum has swung in the other extreme full force, to a fault on the other side. Legalism and moralism is not the problem today; licentiousness is.” “It’s a mistake to say that every person needs to be rescued from legalism. I didn’t grow up in a legalistic church culture. I grew up in a liberal church culture where anything and everything was permitted. I didn’t need to be saved from legalism. I needed to be saved from lawlessness.” These are a couple of […]

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Artists in Church: An Untapped Resource

Dan Siedell
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Let’s face it. The creative response to creation that we call art doesn’t play a prominent role in the church. As pastors and Christian leaders, we’re just not quite sure what to make of it. But taking art and the artist seriously can be more than organizing art museum visits, hanging paintings in the sanctuary, hosting an artist in residence or talking about beauty. Through my twenty-year career as an art historian, museum curator and art critic, I am convinced that the artist is an untapped resource. One of the most important needs of the artist is in the conversation […]

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The Call to Mentor Others

Terry Morrow
30 Dec 2014
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Mentor Others

Most of us can think of someone who served as a formal or informal mentor in our lives. Some examples include parents, coaches, teachers, Bible study teachers, colleagues, supervisors or neighbors. While you may not even know where your mentor lives anymore, his or her legacy likely still lives on within you. God calls us to serve one another as mentors and provides us numerous stories, proverbs, and admonishments to help us understand how to do it well. If you are willing to step up to the plate, here are a few items you will to take with you on […]

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Praising Allah at the National Cathedral

Jerry Newcombe
9 Dec 2014
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Recently, I had the privilege to visit the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Someone asked me, “What were you doing there?” My response: “Worshiping Jesus Christ.” Before and after the beautiful service, it was a delight to walk around and see what’s there such as the stone sarcophagus of Woodrow Wilson, with just his name and the years of his birth and death. He died in 1924. The cathedral was built in 1907. This was the only presidential grave I saw there in my abridged, unofficial tour. The National Cathedral is part of the Episcopal Church. It is not officially […]

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Zombies Are Real

Tye Riter
14 Oct 2014
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Why zombies? Why the mass obsession? The idea of a mindless, reanimated corpse with a hunger for human flesh doesn’t sound like the stuff of romance novels; yet, there is something about zombies with which many people identify. Zombies are people or animals that have no will of their own and are controlled by another force. Oh, and of course, zombies are dead. Many people feel like zombies, manipulated, addicted, codependent, or simply numb to the world, having been hurt so many times. Spiritually dead The Apostle Paul wrote “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which […]

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Halloween: Innocent Family Fun or Celebration of Occult Holiday?

Brody Howell
2 Oct 2014
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If you’re like me, this is the time of year in which you are faced with the “haunting” task of deciding what to do with your children on October 31. The “trick” is to make some “monstrous” decisions as to whether or not you will “treat” your children to the newest and most talked about costumes at Wal-Mart, choose the right candy that the neighborhood kids will praise for weeks after it’s over and determine which party you will let your teenager attend. But have you ever really stopped to think about what this night is really about? Where did […]

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