You have now. And it's the week leading up to Valentine's Day. Hundreds of events are planned across the country.To find out how you or your church or ministry can get involved
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Have you hear of National Marriage Week?
You have now. And it's the week leading up to Valentine's Day. Hundreds of events are planned across the country.To find out how you or your church or ministry can get involved
Pro-life group targets GOP in new video
One leader says Speaker Boehner can no longer call himself pro-life.
Read more
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
If you live in the north
You have a greater likelihood of not knowing or believing the Bible.
That's the latest from Barna.
Read the full story on Word News.
That's the latest from Barna.
Read the full story on Word News.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Word News' latest series ... Saturday's with Jamie Grace
In case you missed it, Word New has started another series ... and you might be surprised where the lyrics for Jamie Grace's hit song Hold Me came from.Or You Lead.
She opens up with Word News.
Click here to read more
New legal ministry lauched to fight for 'life and liberty'
The attorney representing the parents in Terri Schiavo case has launched a legal ministry.
It's called the National Center for Life and Liberty.
To read more
It's called the National Center for Life and Liberty.
To read more
Friday, January 11, 2013
When words lose their meaning, man I ‘hate’ that
So Pastor Louie Giglio decided not to deliver the benediction at President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Now he’s being labeled “anti-gay” for a sermon that “surfaced” from 15 to 20 years ago.
A couple things about words here. Use of certain words give a reader a certain feeling, a sense. When something “surfaces” it gives the impression it was bad and was meant to remain hidden or buried. And through some digging, it was unearthed. Some dirty laundry in a person’s past, or some such thing.
Preachers aren’t hiding anything. They broadcast their message, they post their sermons, etc. I would expect someone could unearth a similar message or one with similar themes in Giglio’s preaching that was delivered not that long ago.
But the word I really want to focus on here is anti-gay. Anti- means again. Opposed to, etc. It has a sense of hatred. Is this an accurate description of Giglio? The Washington Post quotes Giglio’s sermon from 15 or so years ago urging Christians to “firmly respond to the aggressive agenda” of some in the gay community and warns that widespread gay marriage ”would run the risk of absolutely undermining the whole order of our society.” [The message can be found here].
This New York Times picked this section of the sermon to highlight: “That movement is not a benevolent movement. It is a movement to seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day, to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society.”
When word spread that Giglio would be delivering the inaugural benediction, author Gabe Lyons writes, “an extreme and small faction of outspoken gay activists” that helped end Giglio’s appearance.
Lyons, who is also the founder founder of Q Ideas, which is a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society, wrote that “within hours of the second inaugural committee’s announcement, blogs started firing. Someone had uncovered a mid-1990’s era sermon Giglio had given on homosexuality and mined it for their narrow agenda,” Lyons wrote. “The website Think Progress denounced Mr. Giglio as ‘vehemently anti-gay.’ A petition to the White House gleaned a meager 900 signatures demanding the committee replace the minister. Media outlets took the bait and echoed claims Mr. Giglio was anti-gay (though he holds the same historic position on sexuality as an overwhelming majority of American Christians, Jews and Muslims).”
In short, Giglio’s comments from 15 years ago proved true: Beware of a movement to "seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day." The feeling of the day, according to this just released Lifeway Research report, is fewer Americans believe homosexuality is a sin.
So Giglio is out and according to Christianity Post, a pro-homosexual pastor is in.
But now back to the word anti-gay. Here’s what Giglio said when announcing he’d not be delivering the benediction:
“The issue of homosexuality (which a particular message of mine some 20 years ago addressed) is one of the most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals’ rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover and preserve.”
Does this sound anti-gay?
He continued:
“As a pastor, my mission is to love people, and lead them well, while lifting up the name of Jesus above anything else. I’m confident that anyone who knows me or has listened to the multitude of messages I have given in the last decade would most likely conclude that I am not easily characterized as being opposed to people—any people. Rather, I am constantly seeking to understand where all people are coming from and how to best serve them as I point them to Jesus.”
Does this sound like a “hater”?
He concludes:
“In all things, the most helpful thing I can do is to invite each of us to wrestle with scripture and its implications for our lives. God’s words trump all opinions, including mine, and in the end, I believe God’s words lead to life.”
God’s words trump all opinions. Even those 43 percent of Americans who don't view homosexuality as as in.
Of course, some have called Him anti-gay too. What He actually is is anti-sin. Big difference. As Mark Twain once said: "The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."
-- Word Smith
Now he’s being labeled “anti-gay” for a sermon that “surfaced” from 15 to 20 years ago.
 |
| Louie Giglio |
Preachers aren’t hiding anything. They broadcast their message, they post their sermons, etc. I would expect someone could unearth a similar message or one with similar themes in Giglio’s preaching that was delivered not that long ago.
But the word I really want to focus on here is anti-gay. Anti- means again. Opposed to, etc. It has a sense of hatred. Is this an accurate description of Giglio? The Washington Post quotes Giglio’s sermon from 15 or so years ago urging Christians to “firmly respond to the aggressive agenda” of some in the gay community and warns that widespread gay marriage ”would run the risk of absolutely undermining the whole order of our society.” [The message can be found here].
This New York Times picked this section of the sermon to highlight: “That movement is not a benevolent movement. It is a movement to seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day, to the point where the homosexual lifestyle becomes accepted as a norm in our society.”
When word spread that Giglio would be delivering the inaugural benediction, author Gabe Lyons writes, “an extreme and small faction of outspoken gay activists” that helped end Giglio’s appearance.
Lyons, who is also the founder founder of Q Ideas, which is a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society, wrote that “within hours of the second inaugural committee’s announcement, blogs started firing. Someone had uncovered a mid-1990’s era sermon Giglio had given on homosexuality and mined it for their narrow agenda,” Lyons wrote. “The website Think Progress denounced Mr. Giglio as ‘vehemently anti-gay.’ A petition to the White House gleaned a meager 900 signatures demanding the committee replace the minister. Media outlets took the bait and echoed claims Mr. Giglio was anti-gay (though he holds the same historic position on sexuality as an overwhelming majority of American Christians, Jews and Muslims).”
In short, Giglio’s comments from 15 years ago proved true: Beware of a movement to "seize by any means necessary the feeling and the mood of the day." The feeling of the day, according to this just released Lifeway Research report, is fewer Americans believe homosexuality is a sin.
So Giglio is out and according to Christianity Post, a pro-homosexual pastor is in.
But now back to the word anti-gay. Here’s what Giglio said when announcing he’d not be delivering the benediction:
“The issue of homosexuality (which a particular message of mine some 20 years ago addressed) is one of the most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals’ rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover and preserve.”
Does this sound anti-gay?
He continued:
“As a pastor, my mission is to love people, and lead them well, while lifting up the name of Jesus above anything else. I’m confident that anyone who knows me or has listened to the multitude of messages I have given in the last decade would most likely conclude that I am not easily characterized as being opposed to people—any people. Rather, I am constantly seeking to understand where all people are coming from and how to best serve them as I point them to Jesus.”
Does this sound like a “hater”?
He concludes:
“In all things, the most helpful thing I can do is to invite each of us to wrestle with scripture and its implications for our lives. God’s words trump all opinions, including mine, and in the end, I believe God’s words lead to life.”
God’s words trump all opinions. Even those 43 percent of Americans who don't view homosexuality as as in.
Of course, some have called Him anti-gay too. What He actually is is anti-sin. Big difference. As Mark Twain once said: "The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."
-- Word Smith
Life ...
A new poll says more than 80 percent of Americans support stricter restrictions on abortion. And nearly 60 percent say they think abortion itself is morally wrong.You can read more on that here.
Then you come across a video like this one, and see this love a mom has for her child. Look at how her face lights up during the happy news of having a child. She radiates. How her face grows sad when receiving troubling news or when her child becomes the object of unkind stares and comments.
Ahh, but then watch that radiance return. Her son, named Christian, is a blessing. She recognizes it, and others are too.
This is worth watching to the very end. Amazing, how the power of a story is so much more important that the glitz and glamor of some high tech production. This video is low-tech and it doesn't matter.
I promise it will be worth your time.
Life. Precious. Short. A gift.
It's much more than a cereal, board game or defunct magazine.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Billy Graham's not slowing down at 94
The world's most famous evangelist has launched a new grassroots initiative using the latest technology that will take him to every corner of the world.It's called My Hope with Billy Graham and it runs through the year, ending in November when Graham turns 95.
Find out more here
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Christians being persecuted in growing numbers
 |
| Brother Andrew |
The Arab Spring, one Open Doors pastor told Word News, is quickly becoming the Arab Winter.
Find out what countries are on this notorious Top 10 list.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Second annual ‘Water Sunday’ initiative launched
Last year, more than 30 churches participated in Water Sunday, raising $100,000 that went to water projects worldwide.Organizers are hoping this year, Water Sunday will draw 100 churches and raise $500,000.
Will your church participate?
To read more
Saturday, January 05, 2013
What are the top religous trends to look for in 2013?
The Institute on Religion and Democracy has given this question some thought. Issues such as the continued rise of Mormonism and the sexual liberalization of Christian colleges make the list.Take a look at the story.
How about you? What are your predictions for 2013 as it relates to church and religious news? Sign in and give us your comments.
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