Category: PASSION Collections

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

A weekly collection of current news and issues in the church, country, and world.

The debate on the Hobby Lobby decision continues, so here are a few of my own thoughts, followed by some good posts from others to ponder.

1. Much of the outcry against the decision seems to be that an employer could be involved in such a private, personal matter as birth control.  And I agree.  But of course Hobby Lobby didn’t ask to be in that position.  It was the Obama administration that made birth control public policy by requiring employers to pay for it.  As soon as you require someone else to pay, it is no longer a private matter, but a very public matter involving other people.  If you want to keep birth control a private, personal choice, save your money and pay for it yourself.

2. Which brings us to the second point: what is the purpose of insurance? I have life insurance to support my family in case I die unexpectedly.  I have car insurance to cover the costs if I have an unexpected car accident.  I have life insurance to pay the bills if I get an unexpected disease or my health in some other way deteriorates unexpectedly.  The point is that insurance is designed so the many can cover the costs of the few who have the unexpected happen.  So where does this leave birth control?  Good question, because birth control has nothing to do with the unexpected – certainly not in the way of a disease or other health failure.  If you want some form of birth control, save your money and buy it.  Why should you expect your insurance company pay for it?

3. The answer to that last question of course is because there is a large group of people who want sex to be completely free without any possibility of pregnancy, and of course someone else should fit the bill to make sure there is no pregnancy.  But last time I checked, sex without pregnancy was not a Constitutional right.  Again, if you want birth control, pay for it yourself.  Take responsibility for your actions and stop expecting (or demanding) a handout.

4. While I am not necessarily against birth control in general, any birth control that could cause an abortion shouldn’t even be on the market, let alone be mandated in insurance policies.  It would be nice if the current administration would stop trying to shove their pro-abortion views down our throats.

5. Finally, there is the issue of priorities.  The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, not free birth control.  And that is as it should be.

Here are some other helpful takes on the issue:

Was Hobby Lobby All Wrong About Emergency Contraceptives? – Kevin DeYoung

A Simple Solution to Healthcare Woes: Separate Health Insurance from Employment – Leslie Loftis (The Federalist)

A Company Liberals Could Love – Ross Douthat (The New York Times)

Non-hysterical comments welcome….

 

Ministry Monday

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on small town/church ministry:

You Won’t Waste Your Life – Jonathan Parnell (DG)
Millions, even in the States, call home those small towns and wide-open spaces that don’t make it on global maps. And the people who live there, the ruralites, need the gospel.

6 Ways Small Churches Can Love Their Communities – Trevin Wax
Is it possible to do acts of mercy in your local Jerusalem with a tiny band of volunteers? Surprisingly, it is. Here are six tips for small church outreach….

Seeing Potential Out in the Corn Fields – Phil Somers (RHMA)
Pray. As you dream, do it on your knees.  Pray that God will open your eyes to see your people, church and community as He sees them. Ask Him to help you see what they
could be if He gets hold of them. (Note: This is a PDF)

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The Supreme Court gave their ruling on the Hobby Lobby case today, ruling by a slim majority in favor of religious freedom.  Here are some helpful posts:

First, a news story: Supreme Court rules ObamaCare provision can’t force some employers to cover contraception – Fox News

Second, a quick summary of the case: What You Should Know About the Contraceptive Mandate Decision – Joe Carter (Acton)

Third, a good summary of some major issues: Hobby Lobby and the Liberty of Conscience – Kevin DeYoung

Finally, an analysis: The Supreme Court Agrees with Hobby Lobby, But Your Neighbor Probably Doesn’t – Trevin Wax

While there is reason to celebrate the decision, it is more than a little disconcerting that four justices and much of the population believes a “right” to free birth control should trump the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.

Trevin Wax in his post above also makes a point worth quoting:

Consider this. A generation ago, a person’s religious observance was a public matter, a defining characteristic of one’s identity, while a person’s sexual activity was something private. Today, this situation is reversed. A person’s sexual behavior is now considered a defining characteristic of identity, a public matter to be affirmed (even subsidized) by others, while religious observance is private and personal, relegated to places of worship and not able to infringe upon or impact the public square.

In the midst of this “brave new world” of confused identities and priorities, we as Christians must look to Jesus for our identity.  Serving Him must be our priority.  And no matter what comes, we will find our hope for the future not in rulings or cultural opinions but in the One who reigns over all.

Ministry Monday

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on preaching and the public reading of God’s Word:

Be More Specific Than “Points” or “Things” – Andy Naselli
McDill lists 265 words that communicate more clearly that the ambiguous words “points” and “things” – Good practical stuff here!

4 Reasons Why Pastors Should Talk Regularly About Money – Dave Anderson (Generis)
It is understandable why pastors are uncomfortable to talk about money. But, it’s not all right to let that discomfort become an excuse for failing to disciple people in this area.

A Cost of All This Preaching? – Tim Challies
So here’s the question: Do you commit yourself to the public reading of Scripture?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

It has been a busy week with VBS at our church, so I haven’t had a lot of time for blogging.  But it was also a good week, for which we praise God.  Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Satan’s Simple Plan – Kevin DeYoung
He really only wants one thing: he wants to keep you from Christ.  He wants to make you selfish. He wants you to live for your ambition. He wants you to live for your addiction. He wants you live for your ego. He wants you to live for anyone or anything that’s not Jesus.

When Sin Looks Delicious – Tim Challies
Do you ever have those days where you just want to sin? Sin looks delicious while righteousness looks distasteful. Sin looks satisfying and holiness looks frustrating. You wake up in the morning with a desire to do what you know you should not desire to do. Your heart echoes with what God said to Cain: “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you.” And your desire is for it.  What do you do on a day like that?

Sin is Cosmic Treason – R. C. Sproul (Ligonier)
Not until we take God seriously will we ever take sin seriously. But if we acknowledge the righteous character of God, then we, like the saints of old, will cover our mouths with our hands and repent in dust and ashes before Him.

History Could Happen Again – Nathan Finn (DG)
Knowing how God has worked in the past can help us ask some key questions of ourselves in the present. Are we praying for revival in our own spiritual lives? Are we praying for the salvation of the nations? Are our churches setting aside a specific time for focused — even extraordinary — prayer for a global awakening through the advance of the gospel? Do we long for the Lord to move among us as he moved among those who came before us?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our gracious Savior!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

5 Things Romanian Believers Taught Me About Prayer – Trevin Wax
For the Christians whose identities were forged through the fire of Communist oppression, prayer is an act of quiet desperation that manifests itself in bold supplication. I’ve never seen humility and confidence so perfectly married as when listening to (and joining) Romanians in prayer.

Unanswered Prayer – Tim Challies
The best way I know how to answer is to point to the cross…

Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting – David Mathis
What makes fasting such a gift is its ability, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to focus our feelings and their expression toward God in prayer.…

4 Changes that Jesus’ Second Coming Produces in Us – J. D. Greear
If you know the world has an end—and that it could be soon—that rearranges your priorities. It makes no sense to go around rearranging deck chairs if you’re on the sinking Titanic. And yet that’s what many of us are doing with our lives. 

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some great posts for your weekend reading:

Full of Grace and Truth – Kevin DeYoung
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately.  We all need to strive for both and tend to lean toward one or the other.  The need is great as we relate to each other and to our culture. This post says it well – please read!

Students, Don’t Waste Your Summer – Jeff Brewer (TGC)
Here are some great ideas for all of us whether you are a student or not.

“One Anothers” I Can’t Find in the New Testament – Ray Ortlund
Sanctify one another, humble one another, scrutinize one another, pressure one another, embarrass one another, corner one another, interrupt one another, defeat one another, sacrifice one another, shame one another, judge one another, run one another’s lives, confess one another’s sins, intensify one another’s sufferings, point out one another’s failings . . . .  Indeed!

4 Reasons to Give Generously – J. I. Packer (Crossway)
It’s Packer and it’s important, so go ahead and read it…and live it too!

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day showing grace and truth and the proper “one anothers” with your local church!