J. Randal Matheny

Often, in the Bible, we are shown what honor is by examples of dishonor. We are commanded to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3) but the “how” of it is given in terms of things not to do. The man who strikes father and mother is worthy of death. The man who withholds financial support in old age, calling it “corban” is breaking the command of God and is worse than an infidel (Mark 7:10-13; 1 Tim. 5:8). We may understand how to honor our wives by recognizing that there is no honor in abuse. In context this refers to undue physical burdens but may refer just as easily to verbal and other kinds of physical abuse.

Prayer is not a spiritual activity performed far from the daily routine of life, nor divorced from one's human relationships. That most intimate of human ties, marriage, affects our prayers, just as prayer may affect our relationships.

Spirituality is not separate from family life. Peter warns that us these cannot be compartmentalized. Life in Christ envelopes the whole. One part badly conducted harms the rest.

At one time, people like Rockefeller, Edison, Ford and the Wright brothers were regarded as heroes, for having opened vast new possibilities for other human beings.

These are not the heroes of today, but the villains. Reminds one that fame is fleeting, social winds change often, and the great ones today will be tomorrow's despised.

Better to be great in the eyes of Him whose opinions do not change.

You may like Starbucks, but you'd never be in an ad for the company, right? You might be in one unawares -- on Facebook. On Tuesday evening the social-networking giant quietly rolled out a new advertising model that sells your activity -- your likes, your words and data about the places you visit -- as advertisements your friends see. 

And you thought Facebook was a free service, just because Zuckerberg was a nice guy ...

This is capitalism 2.0.

Principles of Church Growth

January 22nd, 2011 by Tom Moore

INTRODUCTION:Acts 9:31

A. The growth of the first century church was both spectacular and constant

Not by modern gimmicks, but by fulfilling the mission of God through preaching and edification, the church grows.

Government control of anything equals rationing, pure and simple

Seems to be a fair statement, and a huge reason to keep government's fingers out of as much as everything as possible. From John Hayward's article, "Return of the Death Panel," at link above.