Spending Trends
(from Time Magazine, August 2011) Rate of spending growth:2003-2007 14%2007-2011 3% Since 2007, Consumers in the U.S. are spending more on:Higher Education +6%Bicycles +9%Movie Theaters +12%Watches +13%Used Autos +4%Sewing Items +1%Hospital Services +11%Cell Phone Services +31%Lotteries +16%Physician Services +7%Alcohol +5%Foreign Travel in the U.S. +17% And less on:Veterinary and Pet Services -6%Clothing Repair and Alteration
Activism
Have you participated in pro-life activism? (check all that apply) 21% I have participated in a march and/or protest.19% I have held pro-life signs.19% I have written an elected official.5% I have a pro-life bumper sticker.10% I have written articles, blog posts, and/or updates through social media13% I don’t participate in public activism.8% I am
30 Years of MTV
(as seen in Time Magazine, August 2011) Part of a timeline highlighting MTV’s past 30 years: 1981: MTV launches on August 1 with “Video Killed the Radio Star” by English new-wave band the Buggles1983: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” breaks MTV’s color barrier after two years of black artists going unseen1987: Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again”
Portraits of a Disciple
Recollections of John Stott’s Life and Ministry – Christopher J. H. Wright (ed). IVP Books. More than a biography, this book is a “sketch of a man who overflows all attempts to describe him, offered by a tiny few of his many, many friends.” Although biographies have been written about this world-renowned pastor, none paint
A Place for Truth
Leading Thinkers to Explore Life’s Hardest Questions – Dallas Willard. IVP Books. Over the years, the Veritas Forum has provided a place in the university for speakers to discuss the deepest questions of truth and life. Now, in A Place for Truth, many of the most notable presentations have been gathered together in one conversational
What’s Stopping You?
Our Adversary is unrelenting. He has nothing else to do. He isn’t interested in a night off or a little vacation. The devil is pure evil and ruthlessly intent to steal, kill, and destroy. Today and tomorrow, 24 hours a day. And most leaders are seriously naïve regarding his activity. Nehemiah, Chapter 6 illustrates the
The Purpose
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.” – Proverbs 19:23Paul Revere’s name has become synonymous with a ride made during the tumultuous days leading up to the American Revolution. His purpose was to warn the “Minute Men” of New England of an impending crisis. They
Simple Marks of Faithfulness
During the reign of Queen Victoria, a heartwarming story made its way to the headlines of British news. The story is told of a homeless, mixed breed puppy that wandered the streets and came to the feet of a sentry outside St. James Palace. The dog was covered with snow, and was both hungry and
The Seven Deadly Sins of a Pastor (Part 1)
For fifteen years I served in a church staff position. I was surprised when God called me to the pastorate. Early in my ministry I had no desire to be the Senior Pastor…but God changed my heart and the direction of my ministry. I count myself a blessed man for having served as both a
Strength for the Journey
1 Kings 19:1-8; Isaiah 40:28-31 Whether a man carries a briefcase or a lunch bucket, he needs “strength for the journey.” Elijah had been in hiding for three years when God called him to face the Baal worshipers on Mount Carmel. Because he had been waiting on the Lord, Elijah was able to “mount up
"Most people would not want to live where there are no churches but many people live as though there were no churches." - Vance Havner
"In other days people chose a church on the basis of their doctrinal convictions. Now, lacking doctrinal convictions, they chose for social reasons." - Vance Havner
Church
"Christianity means to the merchant that he should be honest; to the judge it means that he should be just; to the servant, that he should be faithful; to the school boy, that he should be diligent; to the street-sweeper, that he should sweep clean; to every worker, that his work shall be well done." - Anonymous
"For what constitutes a Christian is not accepting the Christian’s creed, but accepting Christ as Savior and Lord. It is a question of personal loyalty and love." - Sir Robert Anderson
"The only way to keep to keep Christianity out of the school system is to keep Christians out of it." - Harold Wiltz
True Christianity is "essentially dogmatic…Jesus Christ was not 'broad-minded' in the popular sense of the word; He was not prepared to accept as valid all views on every subject. Jesus Christ was not afraid to dissent from official doctrines He knew to be wrong [or not politically correct] and to expose error." - John R. Stott
"True Christianity, it should be emphasized, speaks to all of life, not just to a narrowly 'religious' concerns." - John W. Whitehead
"The complacency of Christians is the scandal of Christianity." - A. W. Tozer
Christianity