God

Are We Facing A Spiritual Epidemic?

Edwin Copeland
2 Jul 2020
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spiritual, epidemic

A fellow South Florida pastor recently told me that, “The American Church is spiritually unprepared for this next season.” He’s right. As the country continues to grapple with the spread of COVID-19, renewed racial tension, an uncertain economic outlook, and what is assuredly to be an ugly election, the Church – God’s people – are facing something of a fork-in-the-road moment. Flattening the curve of the coronavirus is and continues to be inconvenient and painful. It has meant major changes to our daily rhythms, comfort and convenience. It has brought pain and grief to those who have lost loved ones. […]

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Where Are The Peacemakers?

Rob Hoskins
1 Jul 2020
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I’m heartsick that so little has changed since writing this as evidenced by Charleston and Charlottesville and most recently Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. Violence is familiar to me, having grown up in Beirut, Lebanon and spent most of my life traveling to the neediest places on earth. Many times I have experienced the scourge of deadly warfare. Headlines are full of racially-charged tragedies. And while the circumstances are different, the underlying causes that perpetuate a culture of distrust and hysteria, that escalates and threatens to shove society into the oncoming traffic of anger and hate remains the same.   […]

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peace

C.O.V.I.D.

Dr. Tommy Boland
10 Jun 2020
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He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5 NASB). As we are now in the midst of our third month of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to take a step back from my usual focus on Christian apologetics and encourage you with a simple COVID acronym that will help us shift our focus and strengthen our resolve during this unprecedented season of shutdowns and social distancing. For too long the word “COVID” has injected fear, confusion, uncertainty, doubt, and perhaps even anger into our hearts.  To be sure, much of the so-called […]

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christ

One Thing is Necessary

Bobby Bemis
4 Jun 2020
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thing

How many things are on your to-do list right now? Go ahead, think about the pressing tasks for a moment. Stuff to do, people to call, things to fix, flabby bodies to whip back into shape (maybe just me?) — anybody else working on a little home reconstruction over the past couple of months?  Maybe you’re thinking about the many needs of the people around you. Mothers, fathers, teachers, pastors, leaders — how much have you felt the burdens of those near and dear to you recently? Worship leaders, how many setlists, recorded worship times, and team zoom calls do […]

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Rat Race

Stephan Tchividjian
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Recently I was reading some Bible verses and the concept of waiting was brought up. I recognize that waiting is a core component of our relationship with God. However, waiting is hard for those of us that live in a hurry up rat race world, yet God promises significant blessings to waiting. I think waiting needs an image makeover, some much needed professional help, perhaps a PR campaign. I ask myself this one question, “what really is waiting and why is it important?” Waiting Waiting is simply the notion that the future opportunity is greater than the current situation. For […]

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A White, Conservative Christian Perspective

Danny Slavich
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The heartbreaking story of Ahmaud Arbery broke over the nation recently, with millions seeing a video of him being shot by two white men in February. These men, father and son Greg and Travis McDaniel, claimed that Arbery looked like someone who had been caught burglaring on home security video. They saw him running through their neighborhood, armed themselves, chased him down, and when he tried to defend himself, they shot him and killed him in the middle of the street. The video is sickening, as Arbery stumbles and collapses, breathing his last. A wave of outrage and lament has […]

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An Audience of One

The Good News
20 May 2020
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In Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae, he urged them to “let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). But what does that look like when you don’t have the sound of a full band playing alongside you or a congregation to sing with?  For the majority of worship leaders at local churches, this is our reality right now due to the effects of COVID-19. I truly believe Jesus is teaching us something special through this experience. We have an opportunity […]

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Leading In Difficult Times

The Good News
13 May 2020
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The COVID-19 Pandemic has quickly changed the world we live in. Uncertainty, fear, confusion and financial loss can cause us to lose perspective quickly. As Christians, how are we to lead in difficult times? How does it look different than the world? Many are faced with challenging decisions in the weeks and months ahead.  For some, we are in a fog, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. As men and women who follow Jesus, we need a perspective that reflects the reality of our hope. Difficult times can be seen either as an obstacle or an opportunity. My hope is […]

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What Will This Reality Teach Us?

Dr. Gary Hewins
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The current trial before this nation and this world is difficult and deeply painful for many. To others it will remain a temporary “new normal” not without its inconveniences, fears and unknowns. Whatever the level of intensity and personal impact, this season of adversity will likely alter the way we perceive faith and one another. What we collectively and individually experience now, will be recounted and discussed for generations around dinner tables, campfires and pulpits. We have officially entered into a historic event whether we realize it or not. Reality is a great teacher. The following themes, from a pastor’s […]

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