When Marriage Isn’t Fun
Brian Hatcher, Faith Brian Hatcher Brian Hatcher, Faith Brian Hatcher

When Marriage Isn’t Fun

Happily ever after, right? Marriage was supposed to be all rainbows, puppies, and roses. The two of you are going to wake up every morning at the same time, with great smelling breath and stare googly-eyed at each other. But marriage will go through seasons. Marriage is a man and woman who are broken in sin covenanting together to work through all the seasons together.

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Freed
News, Thann Bennett, Politics Thann Bennett News, Thann Bennett, Politics Thann Bennett

Freed

The last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, has been released by Hamas. Edan Alexander was just 19 years old when he was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and he spent 583 days as a hostage before being freed in what Hamas described as a “goodwill gesture” in advance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region.

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Dora and all the Moms
Thann Bennett Thann Bennett

Dora and all the Moms

As we celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday, the rabbit Dora’s ever-widening adventures were an appropriate illustration. There were many moms to honor in our world, and as our family took time to remember each one, I couldn’t help but think about the common theme—each of these moms was constantly helping those in her charge navigate new terrain.

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A New Pope
Faith, Thann Bennett, News Thann Bennett Faith, Thann Bennett, News Thann Bennett

A New Pope

A new Pope has been selected, and for the first time in history it is an American. Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, Illinois, is now Pope Leo XIV, after a conclave of cardinals selected him to succeed Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo’s first address was delivered from historic St. Peter’s Basilica.

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Can Churches Discriminate - Beyond the Employment Context?
Miles Terry, For Pastors, Law Miles Terry Miles Terry, For Pastors, Law Miles Terry

Can Churches Discriminate - Beyond the Employment Context?

In church matters, for example, like the matter of church discipline, churches can “discriminate” in how they apply their internal rules to addressing sin, behavioral issues, etc. They can for example determine that certain individuals are not qualified for ministry, or eligible to work with children, or eligible to serve in leadership roles. 

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Out of the Storm
Thann Bennett, Faith Thann Bennett Thann Bennett, Faith Thann Bennett

Out of the Storm

“Brace yourself like a man.” It is a stern directive that sounds as though it is coming from a commanding officer or an overbearing father. In reality, it is the voice of the loving and compassionate God in Job 40:7.

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Decoding Discipleship Myths: Good Behavior Causes Growth
Brian Hatcher Brian Hatcher

Decoding Discipleship Myths: Good Behavior Causes Growth

 Far too many myths exist within the church about what it means to grow spiritually and how a church facilitates that growth. The goal of these articles is to identify those myths and give thought to how to possibly overcome those myths within your organization.

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Your First Love
Thann Bennett, Faith Thann Bennett Thann Bennett, Faith Thann Bennett

Your First Love

What—or who—is your first love? It is a question that was jogged in my mind recently as I joined my friend Carmen LaBerge on her daily radio show. Carmen made reference to the late great Keith Green’s song, Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful, which is now nearly 50 years old (I personally find that almost impossible to believe). There is a lyric in the song that says, “Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear.”

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Do Not be Afraid
Thann Bennett, Faith Thann Bennett Thann Bennett, Faith Thann Bennett

Do Not be Afraid

Your email inbox is out to get you. I mean that quite literally—the intent of much of the correspondence sent to you is to grip you with fear. If you don’t believe me, scroll through the recent subject lines from your trusted news and information sources, and you will undoubtedly find all manner of alarmist and fear-based subject lines like…

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Explosion in Iran
News, Thann Bennett Thann Bennett News, Thann Bennett Thann Bennett

Explosion in Iran

The death toll is rising after an intense explosion and subsequent fire at the Shahid Rajaei port in Iran. At least 70 people are reported dead and more than 1,200 injured as a result of the blast, which is believed to have been caused by improper handling of fuel used for Iran’s ballistic missile program. While the Iranian government is notoriously close-lipped about its weapons programs, the consensus among world authorities is that the fuel was sourced from China and being used to restock Iran’s missile supply after it launched attacks on Israel in support of Hamas.

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