Month: December 2013
Ring In The New Year With This Top 10 List
Posted on December 31, 2013 in Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
As 2013 comes to a close it serves us well to look back and see what we can learn from the past year in an effort to make 2014 better. No doubt many will spend some time thinking about “new years resolutions” and work hard to become better husbands, mothers, workers, or even mentally and physically fit. But as we gaze back on 2013 anxious for the upcoming year, let’s take a moment to determine whether our country is better now than it was when 2013 began.
The most logical place to start is with the president. Since he is the president, the commander-in-chief, the buck stops with him. So how did President Obama make America better in 2013?
Writing at March For Life, Tom McClusky made a list of 16 Bible verses that bolster the pro-life position against abortion. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but it is a great place to start in understanding what the Bible says.
What I particularly enjoy about this list is that it shows the humanity of the unborn. It should be enough to simply say “don’t kill” and leave it at that. Somehow that’s not enough for some who believe unborn children are not human, or not alive until the mother says they are. These verses however show that life begins in the womb and unborn children are just as alive as any others.
Take a look at this list and consider making a new year’s resolution to stand for life against those that seek to kill the unborn. Truly the Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of life, not death. And we who claim the name of Christ should be most vocal about that life He has come to give us all.
Amazing Pictures: Photog Captures First Moments of Life
Posted on December 30, 2013 in Life by Nathan Cherry
Some contend that life begins “when the mother decides life begins.” This is not just a patently false position it is logically absurd. The argument is a weak attempt to justify abortion. The lack of logic and rational thought behind the position is so obvious that few dare use it. But for those who do try and use this silly position they should take a look at the images captured by a photographer at a university hospital in Europe.
A recent article says of the images:
“A photographer has captured the wondrous, miraculous moment of birth – in all its raw and unglamourised glory. Taken before a mother has seen her baby for the first time these amazing photographs show the reality of how we all enter this world.
The warts and all pictures are the work of respected Danish photographer Suste Bonnen who was given unprecedented access to mothers while they were in labour.”
Major Victory: A&E Reinstates Phil Robertson Amid Public outcry
Posted on December 29, 2013 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
As many people predicted, A&E grossly underestimated how deeply held the Robertson family values are. A&E foolishly assumed they could strong arm the most popular family in America by firing the family patriarch. Now, with egg on their face and eating humble pie, they have reversed their decision and reinstated Phil after one of the largest public outcries I’ve ever seen.
A statement issued by A&E reads:
I am quite positive that A&E thought they would have some sort of leverage when they decided to suspend and then fire Phil Robertson from his own very successful show. Yeah, that didn’t happen. A&E has since been scrambling to minimize the damage and keep the Robertsons from leaving A&E to go to another network.
Meanwhile, Americans from coast to coast have been showing incredible support for Phil and his right to free speech. Most notably, well-known homosexuals like CNN’s Don Lemon have defended Phil Robertson and his right to hold views not considered “politically correct.”
But many want to show a more tangible support for Phil Robertson than just signing a petition or hitting “like” on a Facebook page. So one social media savvy person created the Chick-Phil-A day event to give people an outlet to support the Robertsons. A recent article explains:
“The invitation tells supporters; ‘Stand For Free Speech. Sit For Good Food.’ It goes on to include a couple of simple instructions on what to do on the day: 1. Wear your Duck Commander or camouflage gear. 2. Eat at Chick-fil-A. The event page connected to the Chick-Phil-A Day post about the January 21 dine-in already has tabulated more than 42,000 RSVPs.”
I Don’t Want to Fall Into the Category of “Man Fail”
Posted on December 27, 2013 in Family by Nathan Cherry
Being a father in today’s world is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I’ve wore a number of hats including, worship leader, teacher, laborer, store clerk, writer, administrator, graphic designer, and musician. But being a husband and father as the Bible describes is by far one of the most challenging things I have ever undertaken.
I will confess that I don’t think I am a great father. I have happy, healthy kids that other people often compliment. My kids are smart and articulate – just ask their doctor. But despite the outward appearance I daily wrestle with my own feelings of inadequacy and guilt for what I perceive to be shortcomings.
There is plenty that I don’t know about being a father, but one thing I do know is that fathers are one of the most critical parts to a family. Now, this isn’t to diminish the importance and need for a Godly mother, but rather it’s to highlight the God-ordained role fathers were called to carry out in the life of their family.
What Are the 30 Best Quotes from 2013?
Posted on December 26, 2013 in Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
2013 has been an interesting year, to say the least. It’s been called the worst year for President Obama, the worst year for Christians worldwide, and many other things. As I’ve watched stories on everything from guns to foreign relations, and religious freedom to racism, 2013 seems filled with controversy.
Now that 2013 is drawing to a close, a look back at some of the more memorable statements made this year seems appropriate. If you’ve not been paying attention to much of what has been taking place in our world, allow this list to serve a crash course. For others it will be a reminder of what has been. And still for others it will be the hope for a better 2014.
The 30 Best Quotes of 2013
by John Hawkins
30) “Oh, the guy who bombed Boston is on the loose in my neighborhood? Super glad I don’t have an AR-15 with 30 round mags” Said nobody, ever. — Katie Pavlich
29) I wanted to know why we were promised a state of the art website and we got an abacus and a sundial. I want to know what we got for our money. I want to know if this thing could be fixed in two months why didn’t you have it up and running in the three years prior to October the 1st? — Congressman Trey Gowdy on healthcare.gov
Spotting Integrity Issues in Parents
Posted on December 26, 2013 in Family by Nathan Cherry
Do you have integrity? Wait, don’t answer that. Maybe we should let those who know us best answer the question. What would they say? Would they affirm us as a man or woman full of integrity or someone lacking basic ingredients of integrity?
For that matter, how would your kids answer the question? We would all be naïve to think our kids don’t know us the best. We think we hide our shortcomings and weaknesses from them, but honestly, we know they are smart enough to notice the issues that we struggle with the most.
I can’t think of a single parent that doesn’t want to raise kids full of integrity. Sure, we want them to be healthy, happy, talented, successful and well-liked. But to see our kids grow into men and women full of character and integrity is surely at the top of the list for any parent.
Merry Christmas!
Posted on December 25, 2013 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels.
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Have You Received the Greatest Gift?
Posted on December 24, 2013 in Theology by Nathan Cherry
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18