K, bye

God’s best!

K, bye

And regarding Samsung’s phone, it is a fine piece of hardware. However, what really makes the device is the software, and this is where Apple has everyone beat. Heard all the news lately about malware on Android devices? Apple has a large and loyal following for a reason.

Then a member of the church said she wanted to come on board and help so naturally I agreed and things went well for a little while. Pretty soon everything that I tried to do she would behind my back undermind. When that did not work she started back biting me to the network pastor. So then a meeting was called under the pretence that we were finally going to sit down and talk about his vision for the new church and what my wife and I’s vision was for the ministry to our young people was. When we meet we walked in to find that in this meeting there she was and one of her little minions my pastor and the network pastor. It basically became a bash fest of me and my wife and our ministry there. From that point forward it became a uphill battle to minister. So much so that the budget that we where promissed never came to be so in order to minister we started using our own funds. My wife became increasingly upset, I became burned out and asked for a meeting with my pastor and the elder board we asked for three months off. They did tell us that they would handle it until we felt called to come back but in our meeting with them they asked us to step down from our Pastorial positon and that they were thinking that we would soon be being promoted into an eldership position. To my wife and I this seemed more like a peace offering than a real opportunity for us so that they could appeaze one of the more affluent families in our church which hurts to know that money means more to our leadership than people who have served in this body for years. In that time my wife passed away from an inercranial hemmorage. I was approached by the lead pstor about two weeks after her passing and asked to come back and asked for more time as I felt that it was time for me to minister to my own family. Since then I have been praying for God to raise up someone to love these kids like I do. He did that thank you Jesus. The problem is that again instead of the leadership of our church coming to me I had to find out third hand. How do you keep loving a church body and leadership that continually hurt you. Now I know that we are to forgive and I have but everytime I seem to get to a good place something else has to hurt my family. I am really tired and now understand why so many families these days choose to do home churching. I know that the world hated Jesus but atleast he was loved by his followers. But do we have to be hated by other christians it is no wonder that the world does not want to come to church they get hated were they are so why bother getting up early Sunday morning to be treated poorly. I love the people in our body and the leadership of our church but am torn to weither or not is time to move on cause I feel a trust issue is at play here.

I have loved your R4G series and it has been so wonderful to have such insight/thoughfulness/challenge in all the topics you address. Keep up the good work!

I was looking for answers to a problem I’m having in my current church (or maybe just someone who could empathize with what I’m going through) when I came upon your blog.

The problem I’m having is that it seems like my church doesn’t what me to serve there. We’ve been back there for a year now. We attended the same church for 10 years previously, had been very active there (husband was an elder, I was on worship team, outreach, etc), but left over conflicts with the new pastor. No one else in the congregration knew the reasons why we had left. We were very tight lipped over it as to not cause waves in the congregation. A year later, the pastor suddenly quit, but we were already rooted in another church.

To make a long story short, we returned to this church a year ago and were welcomed with open arms. They are like our family. Things have charges here a bit, though. The different areas of church ministry all seem very “clickish”. I thought it odd that no one had asked us where in the church we would like to serve, so, a few months ago, I reached out to the worship ministry, children’s ministry and fellowship and told that that I would like to serve there. I even talked to the new pastor a few weeks ago about it, but his response was “Well, your name has come up in discussions….” and that’s all that was said about it. Nothing has happened, ever since then.

I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, I don’t have a criminal record (not even a speeding ticket), and I haven’t offended anyone to keep me from serving (which would be a bad reason, in and of itself, to not allow anyone from serving). I have a passion to serve the Lord (and would actually love to serve him full-time), and considering I’m temporarily out of work, I have the time, too.

*I’ve notices other good families leaving the church as well, but I don’t know their reasons why. (Everything seems hush-hush there, now. )

Does this happen in some churches?

I’ve only heard of churches that have difficulty finding enough people to help out, (we really don’t have enough helpers in our church either) never one that doesn’t actively plug people in… especially someone who has really approached the subject several times like I have.

I’m thinking me and my family need to find another church, but my husband doesn’t want to. He’s not serving in any areas (Sunday attender), but all his friends are there and the kids are plugged in. He’s already told me that’s not an option.

Thanks for hearing me out. If you have any advice or even if you’ve just heard of churches like this before, It’d be great to hear from ya about it.

Thanks again,
-Annie

I loved this message. I’ve been so excited by the FREEDOM that I have found in following the narrow way, Christ Alone.

As the result, some folks are not happy with my decision to live only to please Christ. Many desire that I continue to please the rules and obligations that men have created that “good Christians” should do.

I think I’m going to get get a t-shirt that says something friends to “should” on each other. – LOL

So thankful to join the ranks of the renegades!

Have you read his commencement speech at Stanford Univ? It sounded so similar to your “Great Expectation” series and seems carries the core messages of your preaching. How do you address to his comment that “Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there” ? If we believe we will be in heaven, why we are still fear death? I recently had a christian friend died of cancer, and seeing him died so reluctantly made me wonder if I could ever face this challenge. Steve Jobs shows us how to truly honor God with his life and death.

Too bad Apple ruined your article by not having the iPhone 5 ready. Mostly just a phone with “new” features that some Androids already have.

Good column, though, as usual.

http://www.makingmarriagefunagain.com/live-event/9-30-2011/

Tammy

This talk was given in one of our bi-annualGeneral Conferences held either in April or October to the members of the LDS church.

We Are Christians Because … By Elder Robert E. Wells Of the First Quorum of the Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints

To members of the (LDS) Church whose lives have been dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ, it can come as a surprise to learn that there are people in the world who do not know we are Christians. Many people have never made the connection between the nickname “Mormon” and “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” At the present time there is even an organized effort in the United States to confuse the public and convince them that we are a non-Christian sect.

We have always claimed “the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” (A of F 1:1.) We believe that all men are at their best when they worship their God. We respect their right to believe in whatever is sacred to them, and we ask that they allow us the same courtesy. For this reason, the following statement is not designed to be a source of contention, but a short review of why we believe we are amply qualified to be considered Christians.

1. We are Christians because we worship the Christian Godhead, the Christian Trinity. “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” (A of F 1:1.) We have no other gods before us. (See Ex. 20:3.) We do not worship prophets or saints, neither of modern nor of ancient times. We pray only to the Father, as the Savior taught during his earthly ministry (see Matt. 6:9–13); and this we do only in the name of the Savior. We teach, as the scriptures do, that there is no intermediary between God and man save Jesus Christ, and “none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ … whereby man can be saved.” (2 Ne. 25:20.)

2. We are Christians because, like the early Christians, we have no graven images. Nor do we feel that it is proper to make medals, relics of ancient times, icons, or even the cross or other man-made objects part of our worship of the true and living God. Of course we adorn our parks and our buildings with statues and we display pictures of the Savior and others in prominent places, but we attach no undue religious significance to such things made by man.

3. We are Christians because, like the early Christians, we do not take the name of the Lord in vain (see Ex. 20:7), nor do we condone the misuse of any terms referring to Deity. We follow the admonition of the Savior to “swear not at all” in our dealings with each other. (See Matt. 5:34–37.) Therefore, in the conduct of our daily affairs we do not make vain oaths in the name of sacred things. Rather, our communications with one another are simple and honest and straightforward. We also feel that those who follow Christ will avoid the use of vulgar, foul, uncouth language—as well as avoid the use of any expression reserved for Deity in any improper way.

4. We are Christians because we keep the Christian Sabbath day holy. (See Ex. 20:8–11.) And we strive to keep it holy all day long, not just while in church. We are opposed to any desecration of the Lord’s day, be it sports, public entertainment, hunting and fishing, working, or other such activities. Sunday is for us a day of worship, a day of rest, a time to study, an opportunity to visit the sick, and should not be given to things that can be accomplished on other days of the week; nor should it be a day of buying, selling, negotiating, or participating in other commercial transactions.

5. We are Christians because we honor our fathers and our mothers, our grandparents and all other generations, in the Christian way. (See Ex. 20:12.) We seek to turn the hearts of the children to their parents (and forefathers) and to turn the hearts of the parents to their children (see Mal. 4:6), that we may unite all generations in the bonds of eternal love. We seek the goal of marriage in the temple for eternity. Our temple ordinances are Christ-centered. We have Christ-oriented programs to strengthen the home, the family, and each individual. We strive to protect the integrity of the home and the family from the influences of Satan. We are against those things that destroy the home and the family, such as abortion, homosexuality, promiscuity, alcohol, drugs, violence, and unwarranted divorce. Indeed, it was a latter-day Christian prophet, President David O. McKay, who taught, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”

6. We are Christians because we strive to obey both the Judeo-Christian commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex. 20:13) and the higher law given by Christ: “Whosoever is angry with his brother … shall be in danger of the judgment.” (Matt. 5:22.) Christ was against anger, arguments, and contentions. His counsel was, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:44–45.) It is our greatest desire to be obedient to him in this thing.

It is because of our reverence for this commandment that we have feelings against suicide, and against abortion except when appropriate in rare cases due to potential danger or death to the mother or due to rape or incest. It is because of our reverence for this commandment that we also have feelings against the “slow death” that many individuals inflict upon themselves through the use of drugs, alcohol, and other mind- and body-destroying stimulants.

7. We are Christians because we strive to obey both the Judeo-Christian commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery” as well as the higher law given by Christ: “Whosoever looketh on [persons of the opposite sex] to lust after [them] hath committed adultery with [them] already in [his/her] heart.” (Matt. 5:28.) We therefore feel that Christians will control their thoughts and not indulge in anything pornographic or immoral or indecent. We are totally against premarital sex, petting, and improper dating practices. We feel that both parties should come to the marriage altar in unqualified purity, and that virtue, chastity, and faithfulness lead to solid marriages which will last through eternity.

8. We are Christians because we strive to obey the Judeo-Christian commandment “Thou shalt not steal.” (Ex. 20:15; see also D&C 42:20.) We emphasize personal honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. We also agree with the prophet Malachi, who indicated that to withhold tithes and offerings is to rob God of that which is His. (See Mal. 3:8–12.) We readily testify that millions believe and practice the principle of tithing and find that it is better to live on 90 percent plus the blessings of the Lord than to try to make it safely through the risks of this uncertain world on their own wisdom and resources alone.

9. We are Christians because we strive to obey the Judeo-Christian commandment never bear false witness against our neighbors (see Ex. 20:16), to which we add our Christian responsibility to bear a true witness at all times. For light and truth are the glory of God (see D&C 93:36), and no one who is filled with untruth or deceit in any degree can come to him. Perhaps the most important part of the true witness that we as Christians bear as often as we can is our testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that he died for our sins, that he was resurrected the third day, that he lives and stands at the head of the Church which bears his name. We testify as true witnesses that his gospel in its fulness has been restored to the earth. We want to share this truth with everyone. Missionary work is a Christian tradition of which we are happy to be a part.

10. We are Christians because we strive to obey the Judeo-Christian commandment, “Thou shalt not covet” (Ex. 20:17), to which we add the wise counsel of Christian prophets that we should be self-sufficient, prepared for emergencies, quick to help others in need, and generous in our offerings which are used by the Church for the welfare of others. We believe that if we do these things, we will not covet, nor will we give others cause to covet that which we have.

11. We are Christians because, “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgressions.” (A of F 1:2.) We fully realize that we are responsible and accountable for our actions, and that we will eventually stand before God to be judged according to our works. (See Rev. 20:12.) We believe that the Savior is pleased with those who “doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21.) This Christian principle causes us to seek to live better lives and to seek to accomplish good in the world.

12. We are Christians because “we believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” (A of F 1:3.) There is no other way to salvation.

13. We are Christians because “we believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (A of F 1:4.) All these things are centered in Christ.

14. We are Christians because we believe in the Christian lay ministry, established in the original Church. “We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.” (A of F 1:5.) We believe that a call to the ministry is something that “no man taketh … unto himself,” but that he must be “called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb. 5:4.) In other words, we do not believe that a man may call himself to the Lord’s ministry.

15. We are Christians because “we believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive [Christian] Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth” (A of F 1:6), as well as all other offices mentioned in the New Testament, such as deacons, bishops, and high priests. Just as in the early Church, we believe that Christ’s church in our day should be “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” (Eph. 2:20.) And we testify that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in it alone, this is so.

16. We are Christians because we believe in the same spiritual gifts that existed in the Primitive Christian Church, namely, “the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” (A of F 1:7.)

17. We are Christians because “we believe the Bible [both the Old Testament and the New Testament] to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” (A of F 1:8.) Just as the Bible was written by Christian prophets in the Old World, so the Book of Mormon was written by Christian prophets in the New World. It is Christian scripture, a new witness of Jesus Christ, with much additional information about the Savior which is in no way contradictory with the Holy Bible.

18. We are Christians because “we believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” (A of F 1:9.) We believe in Christian prophets and in the principle of continuing revelation in our day, “as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come.” (1 Ne. 10:19.) For we are convinced that the love of Christ extends to all, and that he is our Shepherd today as well as anciently.

19. We are Christians because we believe in the Second Coming of Christ in all his glory, that he will “reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” (A of F 1:10.)

20. We are Christians because we believe in all the Christian ideals for living: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. … If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” (A of F 1:13.) We accept and strive to live all the Christlike virtues exemplified in the Beatitudes and in the Sermon on the Mount and in all of the Savior’s teachings. We believe that we should serve Christ with all our heart, might, mind, and strength; that we should be examples of faith, charity, love, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, humility, and diligence, and have an eye single to the glory of God.

To summarize, we are Christians because “We believe in Christ, … and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ. … We are made alive in Christ. … We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we … look forward unto that life which is in Christ. … For the right way is to believe in Christ. … Christ is the Holy one of Israel; wherefore [we] … bow down before him and worship him with all y[our] might, mind, and strength, and y[our] whole soul.” (2 Ne. 25:24–29.)

LDS members are like any other person on this earth….we are not perfect nor will we be in this life, but we continue to strive to be like Christ who is perfect.

I share excerpts of your book with fellow LDS members because of your hands on approach which LDS members oftentimes seem to forget. I truly feel that you are a man of God and felt the Spirit in reading your book, because I believe that we can all learn good things from each other. I have friends who are Catholic, Baptist, and of many other faiths.

You’re a young guy with dreams and visions of doing great things for God and people! Be free! Go spread your wings and do great things!

Ask them to bless you as you go!

We need to save the people from religious bullies who want to control. For me, teaching and writing, serves the the purpose of helping people know God and love God and live the life for which we were created and to do it with joy and energy!

Yea God!

I would move on and find a fresh place of service. Life is to short to live in and with conflict.

Trust that God can make a way to bigger, better things.

About the apology? Don’t hold your breathe!

I think you both deserve better than this!

There is a good church out there who will love you and lift you up. Don’t be afraid to good looking!

Angela

I’m working hard to keep lean and health on my quest to live the life for
Which I know I was created.

Thank you for the insight & encouragement.

God’s best!

Thanks for you insight!

It’s so true when it comes to receiving you have to have your discernment on guard. More so with newer more inexperienced preachers. The bible says to be on guard for false preachers who could be using the gospel to serve their own selfish ambitions.

Great blog and Amen!

Sheila
“Connie and Sheila Talk”

THANKS!

Just my thought Pastor and I don’t want to come across like a wise guy or something.

Best regards,
Vanjoe..

Great handling of this challenging subject.

I especially agree with the “when you don’t believe in the people you’re serving with”. This is a painful sign but one that can’t be ignored. You’re right that they and you both know it.

But, Dungy took a stand. He’s not condemning. He’s setting a standard. And in that biz, he can do it. He has nothing to loose be encouraging Ryan to do what the letters Paul say. Basically, “don’t let filthy communication” come out.

All good.

I’d hate to think that because I’m weak that there is no tomorrow and no recovery.

Clearly the Bible teaches against homosexuality so if we take a stance that the bible says it’s wrong we are painted as bigots even if we welcome gays and lesbians to our worship. I have friends who are gay and they understand where I stand but I still treat them with the respect they deserve. There is a steadily growing undercurrent in the culture today that says we as Christians have to accept both the person AND the lifestyle in order to be “relevant” today. I can accept the person but the lifestyle is contrary to scripture and the bible tells us to separate from the world in those matters. It doesn’t mean we disengage but we must be true to the truths of scripture.

I know people like Anne Rice. They attend church in the Boulder, Colorado area where churches have signs that say “All are Welcome” and they are not meaning it in the way we would say it but that the lifestyle is acceptable to them and their congregation.

I know I’ve cherry picked one issue and I’m sorry. This response can apply to the others too. I think your response is great Dave. I want my church to be a loving, welcoming place for the wounded in our community but I also want to be a light for the truth and managing that tension is what is bringing so many churches to their knees today.

I stopped when I was about to send out the article on Rice to my close members of the S. Baptist. Knowing what Rice had said was verbatim what I would say, but with this post you have unconditionally echoed my thoughts on the matter that concurs in relief with Rice’s statement.

I wondered if the majority of people would read beyond the headline, encouraged by Rice’s sincere faith; or would they cherry pick the headline from the check out line, and deepen their defense toward Christianity.

Thanks my friend.

Cheers,

Daniel Pierce
Burbank, CA

I stopped when I was about to send out the article on Rice to my close members of the S. Baptist. Knowing what Rice had said was verbatim what I would say, but with this post you have unconditionally echoed my thoughts on the matter that complies in relief with Rice’s statement.

I wondered if the majority of people would read beyond the headline, encouraged by Rice’s sincere faith; or would they cherry pick the headline from the check out line, and deepen their defense toward Christianity.

Thanks my friend.

Cheers,

Daniel Pierce

Burbank, CA

so — where does prayer come in with your “can’t be a part of church..”? Thanks
Hope

i really concur w this! It makes logical sense that there does need to be a standard as in all professions

I am often dumbfounded by the spiritually-related opinions that come out of the mouths of people who are supposed to be practicing Christians. How can we expect to maintain relationships with Christ without spending time getting to know His take on every area of our lives? We can’t.

Unless I know God intimately, I will continue to be a pitiful representation of Him, and not the powerful representation He has called me to be.

Man what an awesome list. I see lots of people who think they’re being casual or hip when they’re just rationalizing being “mediocre.” Excellence and personal responsibility will separate you from the pack really quickly.

I sent this on to Joanne and she sent it our to a ton of people. Thanks for a thought-provoking list.

THANKS!

Steve said “I read over your questions but none of them seem to truly fit me. I am so dry I just want to go and hide for awhile, and get in touch with God again and I don’t seem to be able to do that while i am pastoring, so any thoughts would be great.” We decided to bring in a “fill-in” for two weeks while we attend a retreat. I found a very inexpensive pastoral retreat to “get alone with God and rest a while.”

I very much want to follow Christ leading but He is quiet at the moment. Pray for us that we make the right decision as we will be in prayer for the ministers of Christ.

I like the way you’ve said it. Thanks.

It does not seem Christ-like to think “tough skin” is cool and anything “unromantic” is the only thing a true man can express.

This is why Braveheart is a true example of the heart of a noble man, whose heart will but the will of Christ before his. (though that’s debatable in the purity of the film’s intention, but can liberally be credited nonetheless)

Without further ado, I have found these men in existence in Nashville, and now here from Burbank, CA spread across to Malibu. (The Forbes Family (my best friend’s family recently new attendees there; is a fine example of Men of solid Romantic Courage)

Los Angeles is a great place to find people of every sort. No matter how you stick out, there seems to be a solid group of people that fit in.

Thanks for the writings.

Daniel Pierce

It’s good to know that I am not alone or forgotten, no matter how “messy” I am or can be.

I confess “I am one Messy Child of God”!

Hang in there and get some help. What you guys do is too important to not feel the joy!

alot of athletes embraced islam and chose a new islamic name…

Cassius Clay became… Muhammed Ali
Lew Alcinder became Kareem Abdul Jabbar

what a lot of people don’t know is that before he dies, Buckwheat from The Little Rascals also became a muslim…
he changed his name Kareem o Wheat

And if you were os incline to ask, “what would you get if you crossed a jehova’s witness with an atheist?”

Someone who knoced at your dorr for no apparent reason!

(this line of mine made LA times, US News World Report and Paaul Harvey)

David, I am an old Young Life guy, Dallas Seminary alum, working in the business community using my corporate speaking and Clean Commedian skills to shed some light, as it were, to the business community. I ran across your name in Plaxo and decided to reach out. Love what you are doing. I hosted the westcoast version of the Minirth Meier Clinic out here in so California so my heart is right there with you. Blessing Guy

Maybe I’m the poster child of your blog entry. Ruthe and I have done as you suggested when we had dinner together. At age 58, we’re moving back to Memphis and launching the Orchard Fellowship. In our first preview service last Sunday night, we had 415 people – adults and children. Not a bad first service – especially since we did no advertising outside of facebook and my blog. The fire alarm went off in the middle of my sermon and we had to evacuate the building. Only one family left, and they left an offering before they drove off! The rest came back in after the Fire Department declared it a false alarm. We laughed, cried, sang our hearts out, listened to God’s word. We officially launch Sept 12.

Thanks for your encouragement to trust God’s call and His provision.

You have a brother in Memphis praying for you.

Sam

PS. Love to Paula from Ruthe

Why is this such a common thing. Its always so easy to point it out, but nearly impossible to find it in yourself.

C.S. Lewis said:
There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or that they cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or even that they are cowards. I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.

In so many ways I feel this post was written for me. You were God’s messenger for me today. Thanks.

The following quotes are going to find a home over my desk.

“You’ll look like you don’t know what you’re doing. And the truth of the matter is, no one knows what they are doing until they do it, until they do it over and over again”

“To learn to swim, you must start to swim.”

I think that God answers prayers, and sometimes he answers them with a “no” like Paul when he asked for a thorn to be removed.
but he did pray three times, which suggest that no answer was not acceptable, but a “no” answer was.

I think that if the devil gets a foothold he will just use it to get you more angry and create a bigger foothold….a vicious cycle.

Paul Towery

Shalom!

There is a time to change churches. Issues with church leadership might be one reason. Being at a church called to meet needs different that your own is another.

But ultimately, the reason to change churches is because the Lord Himself says, “Get thee out to the place I will show you.”

Pat & Charlie McCoy

My husband and I have chosen to homeschool and that has been worth the price. We chose to forego my income to homeschool our five children. My husband and I both were a product of the public school system. We both attended both state and private universities. Again, the cost of the private education did not outweigh the state education. You are paying for the “prestigious name” not the actual education. The “name” may (no guarantees) open some doors but it doesn’t give you the education advantage once you are in the door. You have to know your stuff.

My husband and I have carried the debt of our private education for far too long. We are teaching our kids to stay debt free. I have researched all kinds of alternatives to educating them without going into debt, I.E. homeschool, dual-enrollment at the community college while still in high school, and tutors for areas of passion or areas where help is needed.

I am all for…Save up for education or Pay as you go! No debt!= Freedom!

One idea I’ve always been against is piling all the Christians in some isolated community, school, or even nation. Sure we could have our way with things that the secular world denies us, but what’s the point? We’re not supposed to separate the good from the bad, we’re supposed to let our light shine in the midst of consuming darkness.

J

I am struggling financially and dont know what to do. I love the vision of this church and the leadership but it is kind of hard for me to be motivated when all of this is going on. I feel like my leadership/speaking has take a huge hit.

I feel bad being up the subject of money but i dont see anything coming my way by being an actual paid staff member. Again i love the church i guess i am having a bigger issue with the leadership structure.

what do i do? thanks so much

I would think twice about moving if my family is connected.

Go to your pastor and be honest. Tell him what you can and can’t do. If that doesn’t work, ask for an exit strategy.

However, I’m struggling with a decision to leave or not. My role changes every six months; I’m known as the “go-to” guy. Now I’m asked to move into an area that I don’t enjoy, don’t want, and somewhat dread. It’s needed, and the pastor continuously tells me I’m “the man for the job”. I want to serve him because we need that ministry, but I’m dreading it.

I have a potential offer from another church. I’ve been praying for weeks, but I don’t have peace either way. I don’t know all the particulars, especially the specific financial package. There are some things that would be a definite benefit.

What should I do? Thanks.

So yes. Sex addiction, porn addiction, obsessions, compulsions… there is always an element of personal choice. I would just add that some substances and behavioural routines mess with our in-built reward mechanisms. If we repeatedly choose to play these games, the quality of our decision making gets eroded by this process.

In other words, ‘addiction’ hijacks our natural instinct to meet our innate emotional needs. We get trapped and struggle to recognise that we still have simple choice. We don’t see the options any more, and our lives can crash around us.

I’m not making excuses for anyone here – addicts choose that direction. U-turns are completely possible, but not always so straightforward…

But he had enough vision, and common sense, to allow me to learn from many great sources. Boy Scouts, Sunday School teachers, ball coaches, school teachers, etc.

Maybe he knew they could do a better job of teaching me the life skills in which they specialized and he could concentrate on feeding, clothing, housing, paying my way to be around some of those other teachers, and most important, being a good husband/father and staying with my Mom. In other words, being my Dad.

Best Always,
Jamie Pope