Archive for December, 2009

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Does “Facebook” Destroy Marriages?

December 23, 2009

According to one report, twenty Percent (20%) of recently-filed divorces mention the social-networking site, Facebook, as a contributing factor.  While this may surprise some, it does not  surprise us (except for the sheer magnitude).  Working to help people improve their marriages, while being heavily involved in social networking ourselves, we see that the danger is obvious and pervasive.   We have personally witnessed the rapid decline of seemingly-healthy marriages simply by following some of our friends on Facebook.  What do you think?

Check out the article here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2780179/Divorces-blamed-on-Facebook.html?=&ATTR=News; The Gospel According to Matt understands that the source (SUN) is a tabloid newspaper, but believes the principle holds true even if the statistics are sketchy.

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Liberalism, Conservatism, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son

December 9, 2009

This month I am reading Tim Keller’s book “Prodigal God” for the third time.  The first time was a quick read.  The second time was a staff exercise.  The third time is in preparation for a sermon series.  With each reading, my appreciation for the Parable of the Prodigal Son grows exponentially.

Today it occurred to me that the lost younger son (in the Parable) represents modern-day liberalism, while the lost older son represents modern-day conservatism. (Although I don’t believe that Jesus ever had American politics in mind, it’s certainly relevant to the discussion.)

The lost younger son represents self-discovery and self-expression.  The lost older son represents moral conformity.  The lost younger son represents grace and tolerance.  The lost older son represents hard work and justice.  Again, the lost younger son parallels liberalism while the lost older son parallels conservatism.

Liberalism, the lost younger son, has the right heart but the wrong rules.  Conservatism, the lost older son, has the right rules but the wrong heart.  Either way, they’re both lost.

Posted in Politics, church, culture, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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“Peace to Men on Whom His Favor Rests”

December 2, 2009

In Luke 2:14, in the story of Jesus’ birth, angels appeared in the sky singing: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests.

Peace to men.  Jesus came to bring peace to men.  Jesus came to show that God’s favor, His grace, rests upon us.  Jesus came to show us that there is a Prodigal God who loves us.  And Jesus came to save us for Him.  Jesus came to bring peace to men.  This Christmas season we need to embrace the true spirit of Christmas.  We don’t need to fight a culture-war.  We don’t need to take sides in the battle between the secular and the sacred.  We need to pray for peace and we need to bring peace.  Peace to the hungry who lack food.  Peace to the homeless who lack shelter.  Peace to the hurting who lack comfort.  Peace to the sinner who lacks salvation.  Christmas is about peace and reconciliation through the birth and the blood of Jesus Christ.

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