Jul 29 2008
Must Read for both men and women
I ran into Gwen Smith again today. She is so funny and talented. Today she has a devotion on Crosswalk.com. It is a devotion about pain, trials, bad decisions—but most importantly–GOD’s Grace! Gwen asked me to read some of the responses she is getting this morning–sad, tragic and heart wrenching to say the least. Gwen has such a unique and needed ministry. I encourage you to read and pray that God will use this today.
Today’s Truth
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:5
Friend to Friend
I remember the phone call to my college boyfriend. Through sobs, I managed to tell him I was pregnant. There was a long pause on the other end of the phone…and then came the speed round of questions and comments: “What are we going to do? Do you think we should get married? Oh, my gosh…oh, my gosh…what are we going to do? Do you want to have this baby? What are we going to do? What about volleyball? What will your parents say? What will my parents say? Oh, my gosh!”
Read the rest here.
[From me]
There are people like this in our churches every week. There are people who have struggled like this who aren’t in our churches who need to know it is safe for them to come. What are we going to do to make them feel welcome?
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Kevin…the answer is simple, yet so difficult for most of us…as the title of your blog so clearly reminds us, we must turn from our pharisee ways, and realize that we all need the love of Jesus Christ personally and that we need to love everyone we meet with that same love of Jesus Christ. That’s the only way I know to make people feel welcomed…
We’ll never make a difference until we do that!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Just Like Carol and Ed
Kevin,
In case one might think that the percentages are low, when Westmont Baptist baptized 11 young ladies saved in CB’s bible study at a halfway house, and when Teen Challenge (the spiritually-oriented drug treatment center) put on the evening service, with 29 ladies of all ages, the vast majority of them were raised in church. In fact, arguably the outstanding young lady in the Teen Challenge Program was the daughter of a Pastor, quite close to where I live.
Something wrong someplace, perhaps? That no one seems to have had the spiritual insight to see?
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..Maybe It’s Supposed To Be Enough???
One thing we need to do is talk about some hot issues like fornication, homosexual behavior and abortion in a balance of grace and truth. Not enough grace leaves them crushed and thinking they can’t be forgiven. Not enough truth and they think it isn’t a sin (and some churches actually teach that!).
People who have had abortions need to know that forgiveness, peace and healing is possible with Jesus. People who haven’t had abortions need to know that it is a major sin with major consequences.
Neil’s last blog post..Pros and cons of short term mission trips
We must turn from our pharisee ways, and realize that we all need the love of Jesus Christ personally and that we need to love everyone we meet with that same love of Jesus Christ.
sam
http://www.drugtreatments.com/alabama