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Published by Jeff Kennon on February 12, 2015

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One In Three Americans Worry About Sharia Law Being Applied In America – As President Obama seeks to ramp up military action against the terrorist group known as ISIS, Americans remain uneasy over the place of Islam in the United States and in the world.

You Should Be A Worldly Saint – “Worldly Saints” may seem like an oxymoron, but it’s the perfect title for what God calls Christians to be. We must be worldly—enjoying creation, loving friends and family, and excelling in our cultural tasks.

Hannibal Lecter Changed My Views On Salvation – Why don’t we choose Jesus? According to John, it’s this: we hate the light. Our deeds are evil. In other words: it’s in our nature. As I began to pour over these verses, my view of salvation transformed. 

What About The Crusades? – For all the times we’ve lamented the Crusades, how many of us know more than two sentences about them? Isn’t it wise to know at least a little something about the Crusades before we borrow them to get an advanced degree in self-recrimination?

The Score Of Our Lives – If we were honest, most of us would admit we wished our lives were set to a soundtrack written by Hans Zimmer — the most epic, romantic thing imaginable. But, alas, they are not. 

Pete Carroll And The Pain Of Leadership – During the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl, some were speculating if Pete Carroll should be considered one of the greatest coaches of all time…but….

Great Commercial!!!!

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on February 5, 2015

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Four Lessons From The Super Bowl Losers – The Seattle Seahawks narrowly lost yesterday’s Super Bowl. Commentators continue to criticize the play leading to the interception that cost them the game. Few are congratulating them for coming so close to repeating as champions.

Needing Guidance? 30 Questions To Ask – Given the dozens of books about guidance on the market, it’s obvious that knowing God’s will is a huge concern for most Christians. But how? How can we know God’s will for us?

Overcoming Juvenilization In The Church – Do you think the church has been juvenilized? What is the #1 sign of it for you in your context?

Spending An Evening With Atheists – This was easily the most hostile group I have ever addressed in thirty-six years of public speaking.

Church On Fire: Persecution In Niger – There is a strange paradox in much of the church today. The very things Jesus promised would happen if we follow him are often the very things that cause us to doubt his presence and love. But what if the supposed detours in life are the direct route to true blessing?

The Only Solution To World Poverty – There is only one effective solution to world poverty. It is the only solution that has ever worked or will ever work. It is evident from the history of every wealthy nation today, and it is consistent with the teachings of the Bible about productivity, property, government, and personal moral values.

The Drop Box – The Official Movie Trailer – Hundreds of babies are abandoned on the streets of Seoul, South Korea every year, but one brave pastor has made it his mission to save them. 

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on January 29, 2015

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We Are Gomer – The story of Hosea and Gomer reminds us that God loves us not because of our faithfulness, but because of his. Christ saves, and continues to intercede for, the bride who covets other men. Until we see God face-to-face, we will continue to be drawn to other things. But for now, our Husband stands and fights.

Often Unnoticed Marks Of Godliness – Sometimes growing in godliness looks like calling your wife on your lunch break to find out about her day and let her know you love her (something I don’t do nearly enough). Sometimes it looks like putting down your work or the book that you’re reading to lay on the floor and play Legos with your children (this post is starting to get real convicting!).

A Doubter’s Guide To The Creation Story – John Dickson is on a mission to help skeptics engage and understand the most popular book of all time, the Bible.

What Our Best Sellers Tell Us About Our Discipleship – By now, you’ve almost certainly seen the list of the top 25 bestselling Christian titles of 2014. But, of course, there’s one slight problem… Virtually none of these titles are identifiably Christian.

Dear You Who Doesn’t Want To Do That Hard Thing – Dear Lovely You, who doesn’t want to play the piano, take out the recycling, study for your geometry exam, get on the treadmill, clean up the basement, or do that big thing that feels like an impossible thing—

The 24-Minute Morning Routine That Will Make You An Entrepreneurial Rock Star – Not sure this article lives up to it’s title, but it’s an interesting routing nonetheless.

Crazy Plastic Ball Prank – Awesome!

 

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on January 22, 2015

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4 Reasons To Quit Obsessing About Heaven – Christians might be less obsessed with heaven if we better grasped four things.

2014 Christian “Best Sellers” – I found this list both interesting and scary. What can we tell about the Christian culture from what we read?

Terrorism Is Wrong; So Is Ridiculing Other People’s Faiths – I grew up in a religious form of life that was widely ridiculed by others–so much so that anyone who would publicly identify with it could count on being considered a “holy roller,” religious fanatic, probably ignorant, stupid and maybe crazy. I suffered much religious ridicule and even persecution for reading my Bible during “study hall” and for handing out “The Four Spiritual Laws” (a tract) to classmates. It made me very sensitive to ridicule and persecution of others.

New Benefits For Athletes Triggers Talk Of Cutbacks In College Sports – Interesting read in regards to how much money the athletic budgets are at various universities.

Christians Celebrate Supreme Court Approval Of Religious Prison Beards – No religion is an island. This is not just a win for one prisoner in Arkansas, but a win for all Americans who value religious liberty.

Your Average Life Now – What’s so bad about an average, middle-of-the-road kind of life if it’s the life God wants us to live? There are lots of average Christians earning average salaries with average families. They are not to be despised, but encouraged, prayed for, and even admired as they serve God faithfully in their ordinary everyday obscurity.

Josh Wilson Pushing Back The Dark Van Version – I’ve driven many van loads of people, but never any that sang this well.

 

 

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on January 15, 2015

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Is Islam Inherently Violent? – The horrific attack on the staff of Paris’s Charlie Hedbo has renewed questions about Muslims and the besetting problem of Islamic jihadism and violence. Is Islam inherently violent, and is Islam itself to blame for such crimes?

How Stress Shrinks Our Brains And What To Do About It – Nearly three-quarters of adults report feeling physical symptoms of stress within the past month, according to the American Psychological Association and while 62% of adults have tried to somehow reduce stress in the past five years, only 37% have had luck in actually doing so.

Fishermen That Don’t Fish – “Follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” It is tragically easy for those of us in ministry to forget this, to get so wrapped up in nuances of theology and specific strategies that we no longer personally seek the lost.

The Indispensable Value Of Practical Theology – We are right to be concerned about a Christianity that only does, does does, and never knows – that’s unsustainable. But Jesus says we should be equally concerned with a Christianity that only knows, knows, knows, and never does – that too is unsustainable.

The Best 37 Business Books I Have Ever Read – A list by Michael Hyatt that is worth considering.

Stuart Scott And (Not) Responding To Internet Critics – I can’t be that concerned with how I’m perceived. I care about how my mother and father think about me and how my friends and how my loved ones think about me.

Grandma Attacked and Shares Her Faith 

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on January 8, 2015

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14 Pop Culture Events From 2014 You Already Forgot – 2014 was filled with significant important events. It was also filled with some of the silliest pop culture moments that took over social media for a few days only to be forgotten the next week.

Three Tools To Help You Memorize Scripture – Something all Christians should make their aim is memorizing Scripture. Whether it’s important verses, extended passages, or even entire books, there is something powerful about being able to recall glorious truths from God’s Word and preach them to yourself, and share them with others.

What Kids Around The World Eat For Breakfast – Americans tend to lack imagination when it comes to breakfast. The vast majority of us, surveys say, start our days with cold cereal — and those of us with children are more likely to buy the kinds with the most sugar.

The 22 Rules of Storytelling According To Pixar – If you are a writer or speaker these rules could be useful.

5 Habits Changes You Can Actually Make In 2015 – What’s better than a New Year’s resolution? How about real, lasting change in your daily habits?

The Church and the Dissolving American Family – A new Pew report has confirmed what we’ve known was coming for the American family: a majority of American children now live in homes without married parents in their first marriage.

Tim Hawkins – Always funny!

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on December 18, 2014

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Why Your Brain Loves Procrastination – When people procrastinate, they’re avoiding emotionally unpleasant tasks and instead doing something that provides a temporary mood boost. The procrastination itself then causes shame and guilt — which in turn leads people to procrastinate even further, creating a vicious cycle.

Christmas Tree, Inc. – We only have income for 35 days a year; the rest is all expense.

The Christmas Story Is All Wrong – When we think of the first Christmas, often we have a certain image in our minds. The nativity scenes in our homes and churches have the figures neatly arranged around a quiet child wrapped in a clean blanket placed in a quaint manager in a Pinterest-worthy stable. But if we allow ourselves to look past the sterilized sheen of those ceramic or plastic nativity sets, we know that wasn’t really the case.

Racism Is A Deeper Symptom Of A Deeper Issue That We Don’t Want To Address – Christian groups like the ERLC and the Kainos Movement are moving toward hosting discussions on racism in America and in the church in the 21st century, which is a good thing. But, if we are not careful, we will miss the deeper issues that animate the entire problem.

Jane Austen, Tim Keller, and The Happiness of Holiness – After many long, inexcusable years, I finally sat down to read a Jane Austen novel; Pride and Prejudice, to be exact. I suppose I had avoided them in my youth because they were the type of thing my sister–a girl, mind you–read. Also, I’d been subjected to the film Sense and Sensibility as a young boy and I’m still not sure what effect that’s had on my disposition ever since. In any case, inspired by my English acquaintances and a sense of nostalgia for literature, I picked up the copy off the shelf last week and got to work.

The Silence Exercise –  The assignment calls for 90 minutes of silence. Students are instructed to put away their smartphones and leave the presence of other people. They should just be still by themselves, then write a two-page paper reflecting on the experience and putting it in historical perspective. What does it feel like to be silent, to be without constant access to a smartphone? How is this part of our lifestyle now different than in premodern times?

Tim Hawkins – Fun Funeral

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Around The Web

Published by Jeff Kennon on December 11, 2014

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The Best Gift I Can Give Christian Christmas Haters – It isn’t wrong to have a fern on my porch or a cactus in my office (chosen for its resilience to neglect, a prerequisite for any plant life under my supervision). But apparently having a fir tree, imitation or genuine, is considered by some to be morally repugnant; though only in December.

Who Was St. Nicholas? – The unsatisfying answer to the title of this post is that nobody knows for sure.

5 Phrases Leaders Need To Say More Often – Your words carry a tremendous weight for those on your team. And too often, there are important phrases that get left out of our daily meetings, phone conversations, and emails. Here are 5 phrases that ministry leaders need to say more often.

19 Secrets of UPS Drivers – You may have a good relationship with your UPS driver, but how much do you really know about his or her job? The brown-clad United Parcel Service workers deliver more than 15 million packages a day to more than 220 countries and territories around the world; they even deliver to the North Pole. But what’s it really like to be a UPS driver? Here are some little-known facts from drivers who did their time.

The University’s Rape Culture – The past month’s debate over campus rape has revealed a disturbing shallowness on both sides of America’s divided body politic.

Are Americans Obsessed With Video Games? – More than 40 years after the first home video game console hit store shelves, most adults think their fellow Americans play video games too much, even though they seldom, if ever, play themselves.

You Gotta Love Tim Hawkins!

 

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