To Save Life, Apparently We Have to Kill It
In 2009, President Obama signed an executive order to lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. He claimed that the decision between science and morality was “false.” The order will not fund the creation of new stem cell lines but will allow federally-funded scientists to conduct research on existing embryonic stem cells […]
Gay Couple Files for Divorce
According to the Associated Press, a lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce after having separated in 2006. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit that led to a court ruling making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriages in […]
Cursed by Blessings
The irony of life is that while we struggle with all of our might to have a better life, it is the better life that so often makes our lives worse. In 1621, Robert Burton said, “If adversity hath killed his thousands, prosperity hath killed ten thousands.” History is replete with examples of societies that […]
Thoughts on Marriage
More and more these days, it seems like the attitude of the younger generation is, “Why marriage?” It’s regrettable that marriage is ridiculed so much in our society. One only has to hear a comedian make disparaging remarks or stream a sitcom that belittles marital sex as dull or boring to really see what people […]
Are You Weighed Down?
Phyllis Bottome said, “There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties or you alter yourself meeting them.” In the burden of the Corinthians and their forgiveness of the one who had sinned (1 Corinthians 5:1-2), Paul expressed comfort for their doing right in the midst of that burden (2 Corinthians 1:3-10). We […]
Sins Against the Spirit
Is it possible to sin against the Holy Spirit? Many believe that it is possible according to Matthew 12:31-32. In a day when spiritual gifts have been done away (1 Corinthians 13:8-10), an examination of some verses in the New Testament will be very helpful. Paul warned the Ephesians, “And grieve not the holy Spirit […]
Graves in the Wilderness
Did you ever walk through a cemetery and take time to read the inscriptions on the headstones? Some are poignant, some are humorous, and some just give the name and dates of birth and death. But, all of them are reminders that life is brief, death is sure, and how we live will be remembered […]
Nickelodeon and Teen Pregnancy
In 2007, Nickelodeon considered a special for its young audience about sex and love following the news in December of that year that 16-year-old “Zoey 101” star Jamie Lynn Spears (the younger sister of Britney Spears) was pregnant. For the special, Nickelodeon talked with Linda Ellerbee, a newswoman who has done shows about same-sex parents, […]
Why Kids Stay “In Church”
I’ve heard the numbers quoted all my adult life: half of all children of Christians leave the faith. Without going to the trouble of a survey, we all intuitively know that this is the case. Many sermons have been preached on why they left. What I want to do is share the research as to […]
How Will You Be Remembered?
The other day while I was traveling on my way back home, a song by the country music band Rascal Flatts titled, “How They Remember You” came on the radio. As I listened, the words, “You’re gonna leave a legacy, no matter what you do. It ain’t a question of if they will, its how […]