"* * * Pulpit Highlights - Phil Johnson from Grace Community Church on Vimeo. In an earlier discussion on street evangelists (Is it Love or Not? Street Evangelists Defend Their Method), reader David posted the above video in the comments section. It's just over two minutes long. Phil is a great speaker… Continue reading Evangelical Church is Weak and Womanly
A Note of Gratitude and Support for Plaintiffs of SGM Lawsuit
* * * Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT It's been a while since I have posted about the class action lawsuit involving pastors,… Continue reading A Note of Gratitude and Support for Plaintiffs of SGM Lawsuit
Drew Marshall Show Interview
* * * I had been asked to post the link to the interview I did a couple Saturdays ago, on Canada's #1 Christian talk show, The Drew Marshall Show. Click on the SoundCloud clip (orange play button) at the bottom of the screen to hear the interview or listen direction from… Continue reading Drew Marshall Show Interview
Is it Love or Not? Street Evangelists Defend Their Method
* * * As a follow-up to the article, What is Real Christian Love? Is This it?, I found an enlightening conversation between Tony Miano and Ken of Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) and two other individuals. Tony Miano was recently in Portland at a conference put on by CARM and after the conference,… Continue reading Is it Love or Not? Street Evangelists Defend Their Method
Purity Gone Too Far?
* * * Turn your fans on, folks, Song of Solomon is hot with passionate love and it isn't of the Puritan kind: With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me! (JA still vividly… Continue reading Purity Gone Too Far?
What is Real Christian Love? Is This it?
* * * There was such great discussion in the last article, My Twitter Conversation with a Pastor about Doctrine and Truth. Thanks to all who participated. The comments continue to come in. In the comments of that post, I mentioned how those who evangelize (ie, door-to-door or street evangelism) sometimes say the… Continue reading What is Real Christian Love? Is This it?
My Twitter Conversation with a Pastor about Doctrine and Truth
* * * On Sunday, I was at my daughter's volleyball tournament and in between games, I was "twittering" with a guy. At the time, I didn't know who he was, nor that he was a pastor, I was merely looking at his tweets and responding. Don't all moms tweet with… Continue reading My Twitter Conversation with a Pastor about Doctrine and Truth
Spiritual Abuse: Faith Healing and Parallels
* * * By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 This next story is sad. It reminded me of the many deaths attributed to "faith healing" at the Followers of Christ church near my former town in Oregon. … Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Faith Healing and Parallels
Compassion with Shoes On
I read a beautiful article by Tony Roos on compassion this morning and saw this phrase which intrigued me: If you do a search on the compassion of Christ you see each time that word is used for him it is coupled with an action that he gives to alleviate the suffering the he encounters.… Continue reading Compassion with Shoes On
Drew Marshall Interview and Welcome
* * * If you are stopping by after listening to the interview on The Drew Marshall Show, a warm welcome to you!! These are not fun subjects. They have affected me and a lot of my readers to the core. But if you took the time to look up my… Continue reading Drew Marshall Interview and Welcome
Live Interview on Drew Marshall Show This Saturday and Update
* * * I am a little bit excited about an upcoming interview on the Drew Marshall Show tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, 2013, at 2PM ET. Evidently, the Drew Marshall Show is the most listened to Christian talk show in Canada. Is that right, eh? Feel free to tune in. It sounds… Continue reading Live Interview on Drew Marshall Show This Saturday and Update
Crushed in Spirit
* * * I am really struggling emotionally and spiritually - stuff related to the effects of abuse, including spiritual abuse in my personal life. It is messing with my head and wreaking havoc on me right now. All I can do is cry, and cry, and cry out to God.… Continue reading Crushed in Spirit
We Need Safe Places, Or, Overturning Tables
* * * Many of you know of my partnership with Homeschoolers Anonymous. In this blog, survivors have told their sometimes sad and disturbing stories of what it was like growing up as a homeschooled student. Here is how I connected with them. There is a subculture within the bigger umbrella… Continue reading We Need Safe Places, Or, Overturning Tables
Black and White Teachings from the Pulpit: Helpful or Not?
* * * "Mental illness" is a poor term, sounding like "It's just your mind." But a broken brain is as physical as a broken bone. Rick Warren tweeted 4/13/13 a week after his son committed suicide. I still have a couple of more thoughts regarding the Nally suicide case… Continue reading Black and White Teachings from the Pulpit: Helpful or Not?
How do Churches Handle Difficult Mental Health Cases, Biblical Counseling, and the Law?
* * * A friend sent me a tragic story this morning. It is an older story from 1979 involving John MacArthur's church, Grace Community Church, and a young man, Kenneth Nally, who at the age of 24 shot himself and died. He suffered from depression and sought counsel… Continue reading How do Churches Handle Difficult Mental Health Cases, Biblical Counseling, and the Law?
Biblical Counseling and Mental Health Crises: Does it Always Work?
* * * I have been seeing a lot of response online regarding the death of Matthew Warren last week. As you are probably aware, Matthew, age 27, was the youngest son of Pastor Rick Warren, and last Friday after many years of depression and despair, he ended his own life.… Continue reading Biblical Counseling and Mental Health Crises: Does it Always Work?
Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier Lawsuit Ruling
* * * * * * Be sure to read new update: April 9 2013 below. * * * Today was the ruling in the lawsuit between Calvary Chapel Visalia Bob Grenier and his wife Gayle Grenier vs Alex Grenier and Tim Taylor. Today's notice is a setback in the case. I… Continue reading Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier Lawsuit Ruling
Spiritual Abuse: Jamie’s Story
* * * Jamie posted this comment on another post, but I was afraid that people might not see it and be able to respond. Do you have any words of comfort or advice to share with Jamie? You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Jamie’s Story
CBMW, John Piper, Women Drill Sergeants, and Biblical Roles
* * * This week we've discussed a bit about biblical "roles" as seen by complementarians and egalitarians and trying to make sense of it all. A big problem I seen in pushing any agenda is pushing it so far that it really sounds like a bunch of nonsense. And… Continue reading CBMW, John Piper, Women Drill Sergeants, and Biblical Roles
Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: When Did “Roles” Become a Primary Doctrinal Issue?
* * * One of the more troubling trends I see in Christiandom is making what I understand to be secondary issues as primary doctrinal issues. Sometimes church leaders will say certain issues are "gospel" issues, that the whole gospel message depends on adhering to whatever bandwagon said church leader is… Continue reading Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: When Did “Roles” Become a Primary Doctrinal Issue?
Spiritual Sounding Board 