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What is Sound Doctrine Anyway?

Recently, Jeanie Shaw published her doctoral dissertation in edited book format, “Re-Examining Our Lenses,” and I have published my book, “The Bible and Women: How Did I Miss So Much.” These books both deal with similar topics, topics which are both complex and...

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Gobsmacked Again (by the Lamb Family)!

This British word basically means to be shocked or astounded. Simon on America’s Got Talent has used the term occasionally and his face reflects the definition. I just read Roger and Marcia Lamb’s new book, “This Doesn’t Feel Like Love Either.” After reading it, the...

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The Sabbath–Douglas Jacoby

Chapter 9 ("from the book, "Messianic Judaism") -- The Sabbath This chapter addresses Messianic Judaism’s treatment of the Sabbath. The Messianics teach that we need to keep the Sabbath today as one of the Ten Commandments. Accordingly, members of this movement do not...

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What Are You Learning? by Jim McCartney

“What are you learning?” is one of my favorite conversation starters. The response I get often tells me a lot about my conversation partner. I love to learn. There is so much to discover, big and small things, about others, about life, and even about myself. My love...

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Are the Red-Letter Words of Jesus the Most Important?

For years, I have heard people declaring that the words spoken by Jesus, the red-letter words in many editions of the Gospel accounts, are the most important ones in the New Testament. Some make this declaration and leave it at that, while others follow up by...

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What Is Demon Possession?

When we read the Gospel accounts, demon possession is mentioned a number of times. When Jesus and the apostles did miracles, one type was casting out demons. I have written at length explaining that miraculous gifts were limited to a first century setting and gave the...

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A Study of Miraculous Gifts

Taken from Chapter 10 of Prepared to Answer, Second Edition Without question, miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were very common in the early church as described in the New Testament. To the casual reader, the question would readily arise as to why these gifts would...

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Revive Us Again–Jim McCartney

“Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you?” – Psalm 85:6 (NRSV) Our family of churches has roots in a series of revival movements. The Stone-Campbell movement in the late 1700s was a unity and revival movement to find unity in scripture, to...

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Uncle Pete–October 31, 2011

Facebook Introduction All of us have relatives who become so special to us that they hold a unique place in our hearts and lives. When they die, they leave a big hole in our hearts and it takes a while for the grieving process to replace the pain with only precious...

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Faulty Leadership – the Other Side of the Coin (Part 2)

John 10:11-18 (NIV2011) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the...

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FACEBOOK FEED

Facebook Posts

Responses to my Facebook posts are nothing if not entertaining. I find those who are so definite in evaluating my recent book without having read it particularly entertaining! And also revealing, for you can learn a lot about people from their responses.I appreciate all of those who have hit the “like” button and in so doing, shown some interest and support. I especially appreciate those who have written positive responses, showing that many are in fact open to re-examining their views on complex subjects and many of these are offering great insights.In my recent post, I commended one of the elder couples in my congregation for reading mine and Jeanie Shaw’s books and providing copies for their young adult children. I was particularly encouraged to hear from my old friend, Sherwin Mackintosh, an elder at North River in Atlanta, one of our most respected larger congregations. He said that the elders there were reading it together. I heard from one other leadership group, which includes elders, who are doing the same. Another old friend, Cathy Heaton, wrote to say that she and her husband, Tom, an elder in one of the New England churches, have read both books and encouraged their adult daughter to read them as well. I will close with an excerpt from another old friend’s comment, Nadine Templer, which certainly gives me hope.“I appreciate Gordon and others who are re-examining their lenses. They are many. I have received hundreds if not thousands of messages of support in recent days, many from church leaders and elders. I am glad things are changing.” Happy July 4th and may God bless you! ... See MoreSee Less
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This past Sunday, we were blessed to have one of our newest elder couples, Dave and Tami Ryter, deliver a joint sermon for our services in the East Region of the DFW church. Dave is an American Airlines pilot and Tami is now part-time on the ministry staff, but together they lead a very comprehensive parent training program for all regions of the church, both in person and via Zoom. They have done a wonderful job of parenting their three single daughters, ranging in age from 18-23. Those girls are special!When I was fellowshipping with them before services began, Dave asked how things were going with my new book, to which I replied, “Mostly positive.” He then told me that he and Tami had read my book and bought three additional copies for their daughters and asked them to read it. He said that he and Tami were now reading Jeanie Shaw’s new book and had also purchased copies for their daughters. (Books available from Amazon.)I couldn’t help but wonder how many older leaders in our churches were open to reading books like these two, which will definitely challenge their traditional thinking. I also wondered how many parents of young adult children would ask their children to read the same books. They didn’t say what they agreed or disagreed with in my book, and I didn’t ask. I actually am not concerned about that. However, I am very concerned about older leaders being true disciples – meaning open-minded and continually learning, and very willing to reexamine their views on traditionally held topics. I am most thankful to be a part of a congregation whose leadership is characterized by such hearts! (Please hit the "share" button to encourage leaders by the example of their fellow leaders.) ... See MoreSee Less
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