I'm reading a book that might put me out of a job, but I'm okay with it and I actually agree with it. It's called The Case Against Adolescence written by Robert Epstein. Epstein is a behavioral therapist and professor who argues that the life-stage we call adolescence (characterized by seasons of "storm and stress") is a recent invention and that the "turmoil we see among teens is an unintended ...
Keep Reading
As a follow-up to the previous post on fasting, I wanted to formulate an answer to one of the comments on whether or not fasting is required for believers. This is my attempt at such a response. The greatest good for a believer is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29) from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). By this, God is glorified in us and our souls should ...
Keep Reading
Of fasting I say this: it is right to fast frequently in order to subdue and control the body...But one should not fast with a view to meriting something by it as by a good work. Martin Luther
Holy and lawful fasting has three objectives. We use it either to weaken and subdue the flesh that it may not act wantonly, or that we may be better prepared for prayers and holy meditations, or that it ...
Keep Reading
Pastor Matt Chandler will have surgery Friday afternoon to remove a tumor located in the frontal lobe of his brain. The surgery will be performed by Dr. David Barnett. Dr. Barnett told Matt that he was positive about recovery but won't know the full results until the surgery is performed. The doctor was uncertain about the malignancy of the tumor, and a biopsy will be performed as part of the ...
Keep Reading
The answer that immediately comes to mind is, "Yes, God is absolutely enough," but do our lives reflect the truth that the Scriptures testify about God being all that we need? Last Wednesday in my Basic Training class (Basic Training is an in-depth Bible study for high school students), we came across Jeremiah 2:13 "for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of ...
Keep Reading
We want to provide you some guidance during this trial, a few details about Matt and a timeline in which all of us can actively participate over the next few days as we wait anxiously on the Lord regarding Matt's health. We rest in the knowledge that Matt is in the sovereign hand of our heavenly Father who loves him immensely more than we can comprehend.
Keep Reading
Prayer for Matt today: The Village Church (HV) parking lot. 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Come out and pray if you can.
Keep Reading
Matt spoke with a neurosurgeon this afternoon & will meet w/him on Tuesday. He and Lauren are in good spirits.
Keep Reading