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Derek Thornton says:

The biggest story up there is “Christianity under attack in Egypt.” We need to call up our local Congress critters and light a fire under their backsides to push for support of Egypt’s military, who is fighting the perpetrator’s of these injustices as we speak. The Muslim Brotherhood is getting portrayed as something akin to freedom fighters, while committing some of the worst mass crimes.
A few more stories on that:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2396764/Egypt-crisis-Islamist-mob-parades-nuns-Cairo-prisoners-war.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0818/In-Egyptian-village-Christian-shops-marked-ahead-of-church-attack#.UhFe8cCECgU.facebook

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/08/16/egyptian-military-chief-vows-to-rebuild-coptic-churches/

jtk says:

Oh Happy Day.
Welcome Back

jtk says:

Thanks for the link on the churches that were destroyed….

jtk says:

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-list-of-Christian-churches,-schools,-institutions,-shops-torched-by-the-Muslim-Brotherhood-in-the-last-three-days-28764.html

erunner says:

Just completed the article about schizophrenia. The author allowed us to see up close through her writing what her family experienced in a time when dealing with this disease meant keeping quiet and individual family members trying to make sense of what was happening to their mother.

The idea that we are due a life free from pain and the unexplainable has left many of us ill prepared for the trials that can put our faith to the test, even to the point of breaking. I think many heroes of the faith are those who suffer unbeknownst to any of us and those whose lives are quietly spent attending to them.

erunner says:

Confessions of a broken pastors wife…… I was sad to read yet another story of a spouse who seemingly got in the way of her pastor husband’s job.

Yet what struck me Michael was what the blog host had to say concerning his blog. It caused me to think of this blog and what it means to me and I’m sure many more. He shared the following…..

“I love the community that has formed on this blog. There are several of you who are regular commenters; you have become a part of this blog family, and I feel like I know you.

Some of you come to the blog in affirmation of what I have written. I am always grateful for such encouragement. But some of you disagree with me. I gladly post your comments for two reasons. First, I want to be fair to all who take time to read my blog. Second, I am wrong some of the time and I need to be corrected.

Sometimes, however, you come to this blog hurting deeply. You need a place where you can be heard, and you need a place where you can share your pain without fear of retribution. That is why I allow you to comment in anonymity if you so desire.”

Thank you for seeking to create the same for us Michael.

Paige says:

Of course, I read the article/link on broken pastor’s wives. Tip of the iceberg…. a constant tragedy and travesty. Been there, done that. I’m glad the subject is being discussed. It will certainly be interesting in Eternity, as our lives are judged, what the true fruit of ‘ministry’ really looks like and what was really important to Jesus.

Yesterday in Sunday School. as Pastor Scott discussed how SW Bible is governed, he read 1 Timothy 3, saying that it plainly states the qualifications for pastors/overseers and deacons. He pointed out that ONLY the gift/ability of teaching is mentioned, the rest of the qualifications are matters of character, family, reputation and integrity. It dawned on me that in my previous church life, the “qualifications” for ‘serving’ and promotion were GIFTS (ie talents). The character issues were irrelevant, ‘covered by grace’. Not a Biblical format.

My previous life as pastor’s wife was excruciating. I feel like I wasted 25 years of my life doing stuff I thought was the will and pleasure of God. Wood, hay and stubble.

Jim says:

Thanking God that PP is back!

uriahisaliveandwell says:

Good to see that your blog is back up, Michael.

For those who wondered about my leaving—as Michael shared, it was due to a major life crisis that literally placed my existence at risk. Not out of the woods yet, wearing me down and taking a tremendous toll on me, as I have been contending it for almost 5 years now. Sorry, to sound so cryptic, but for my own safety—it is best.

Just wanted Michael to know, it is good to see the blog back up to enable those who are in the faith to fellowship and to provide biblical reason and truth to one another and to those who are genuinely seeking. May all things be measured and balanced by the written word He has given us. May each be bold to stand up against abuse and corruption even when it is not in our own backyard. May we not ever bury our heads in the sand and make excuses for not speaking and doing what we can particularly when one is of the faith and have suffered such harm—and not make an excuse for not doing so—-ever.

For those who prayed for me—may the Lord bless you for doing so.

London says:

Hmmm
I quite like some of the so called “ugly” churches. The one in Vacaville, not one of the aesthetically pleasing ones, was the host to the first Christian “event” I went to after I started coming back to God.
It was some session about worship or something that my friend invited me to with his church.
Went, sat by the back, stated when everything in me said run, got prayed over by his group…..5 years later I still hang out with them.
That church might be ugly, but what was birthed in it that night wasn’t.

Babylon's Dread says:

Culture of offendedness and defined by what we hate… been writing on the subject. Jesus had this to say, 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17  “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ Mt 11:16–17.

Linnea says:

Late to the party again, but so glad you’re back, MIchael!

The “Confessions of a Broken Pastor’s Wife” is powerful. I think back on many pastor’s wives I’ve known and, truthfully, they could written those words. Someone on that blog noted that this was something “sinful young men” could succumb to. I think the temptation is there for older men, too, as their celebrity status grows or as congregational needs become overwhelming. One woman on that blog said she ministered to pastor’s wives– now that’s a great ministry!

covered says:

Great to see everyone! Thanks Michael. Good article on pastor’s wives. My wife and I take 2 days that we “try” to abstain from church business. On one of those days, my wife has control of my cell phone. More often than not, she will urge me to respond to something that I think can wait. I believe that this let’s her in my life as much as she wants to be and she knows that I trust her. If ever ministry got in the way of our marriage, stepping down would be the right thing to do. As the author of the article pointed out, if my house isn’t in order, I am not doing much good anyway.

Derek Thornton says:

Jim,
I liked that quote from Trueman too. I knew he hit a nerve when prominent pastors had to “correct” him on twitter and their blogs.

Ixtlan says:

Great to see Phoenix rising this morning.

Ricky Bobby says:

“Third Gender” is a factual reality. Hermaphrodites are fact and reality. It doesn’t fit the Presupp. Philosophical box, but it’s “natural” and a reality. The perfect inerrant bible as God somehow missed the reality of Hermaphrodites.

Josh the Baptist says:

The article isn’t about hermaphrodites. It is about parent’s leaving the birth certificate open so that the child can later decide for himself.

Josh the Baptist says:

Got a retraction in moderation?

Martin Luther's Disciple says:

If we are voting, I like the lighter background.

Solomon Rodriguez says:

hame =shame