Is Marijuana Sinful?
The Gospel Coalition offers an analysis of marijuana and whether it should be considered sinful. While marijuana is not specifically mentioned in God’s word, it shares characteristics. Of course we have written about the trouble of alcohol here before. Take a moment and read Joe Carter’s Is Recreational Marijuana Sinful? For more on recreational alcohol use […]
Pesky Priorities
I am a sports fanatic. I especially love football and adore my Crimson Tide. But I am finding that sports are invading my life too much. As one author said, its not worth it to let three hours on Saturday ruin your whole year. ((Chad Gibbs, God and Football)) But I am also concerned that athletics […]
Comfortable Sin
Comfort foods are foods that bring us great satisfaction. Chocolate cake, a homemade chicken casserole, extra hot sanchos from Taco Casa in Tuscaloosa. Right? The problem is that comfort foods are usually unhealthy, especially in volume. We never fuss at anyone about eating them because they are so common and, well, comforting. Jason Todd at […]
Unrestrained Passions
The dust up over Duck Dynasty and homosexuality brought many thoughts into view. The Biblical view is that the practice of homosexuality is a sin. The lawless view is that there is no such thing as God and therefore no such thing as sin. In the middle are masses who either do not know what […]
Alcohol: Worth the Trouble?
Alcohol saturates our culture. Almost every restaurant sells alcoholic beverages. Grocery stores stock aisles full of wine while convenience stores sell as much beer as gasoline. Every holiday includes alcohol. Even some so-called churches are using beer to drive attendance numbers up. Alcoholic beverages are ubiquitous. Yet some of us choose not to drink. We […]
Casual Sex and Culture
Shortly after the Miley Cyrus embarrassment students in public schools were seen twerking. That is, they were moving their bodies in way suggestive of having sex. The provocative moves soon found their way into some dance team and cheer-leading routines in public schools. Cyrus was not finished debasing herself and culture. Her music video featured […]
When Persecution Comes Home
An American preacher is being held in Iran, charged with violations of national security. Specifically, Saeed Abedini was sentenced to 8 years in prison for converting from Islam to Christianity. According to his wife, Abedini was offered freedom if he would renounce his faith in Christ. He refused. This horrible affair strikes at the heart […]
Dogs, Fleas and Friends
The saying, “If you lay down with dogs you’ll get up with fleas” is not in the Bible. But the idea is definitely Biblical. Those we associate with can help us or harm us. Consider Paul’s words: “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) The wisest ever, Solomon wrote: If they […]
Real Problem #3 – No Discipline
Discipline is a foul word in some quarters. In others, it suggests punishment. But others see discipline as a necessary component of a maturing, healthy life and especially of a faithful life before God. The apparent lack of discipline is the reason for so much of society’s ills. R. Kent Hughes, writing in the popular Disciplines […]
Real Problem #2 – No Leadership
Our culture is dying for leadership. The once proud society which engaged in the greatest experiment in human self-governance is soon to draw its last breath. It is suffering from a disease that touches every member of society. It is not quarantined in the White House or in Congress, although they are sicked too. It is […]