OPCouples4Christ

Here are some thoughts from the guys that attended the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference June 13-14…

Last week, Gallup released the results from a poll conducted on American’s views on homosexuality.  Sadly, the results come as no surprise.  For the first time ever, a majority of Americans view homosexuality as a “morally acceptable” lifestyle.   Its clear that the homosexual lobby has  made serious inroads into mainstream society and have successfully convinced most Americans that the homosexual lifestyle is as legimate and natural as the heterosexual lifestyle.  What can we say to lovingly and gently confront the cultural agenda of the homosexual movement? 

Here’s a good start.  Matt Chandler presented a short concise series of messages on the difficult topic of homosexuality (click here to watch).   I’ve linked you directly to the 2nd of 3 videos available for watching.  Please take some time to watch all 3 videos. 

It is imperative that we know how to communicate the gospel to a generation drowning in anti-biblical notions. 

A handful of people have asked me to send them online links to the resources that I commonly reference in our small group.  So I’ve compiled a list of my favorite online resources for biblical teaching.   I hope you find them useful…

Matt Chandler’s Sermons 
      itunes link

John Piper’s Sermons/Articles/Conference Messages
     itunes link

Mark Driscoll’s Sermons
     itunes link

Ravi Zacharias’ Messages and Q&A Sessions
     itunes link

MEMORIAL DAY, the last Monday in May, is set aside every year, for all Americans, to remember those who have gone before us. It’s a day for every individual to ponder on the sacrifices that have been and are being made for the security of the freedoms, you and I, all too often take for granted. America has had her share of conflicts. From the War of Independence to the current campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, millions of American sons, daughters, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers (from all backgrounds and persuasions) have answered freedoms call! In doing so, these people have made a powerful declaration that there is a greater good to be served than that which secures the self.

Far too often, on this day, we neglect to remember those who have been left behind as well. We fail to consider those who are left to pick up the pieces of a shattered life they now face. A son who will never again hear his father encouraging him from behind home plate, a daughter who will never again learn by watching her mother in the mirror, a wife who will never again be able to enjoy the intimacy with her husband that the marriage covenant provides. These images showcase the real cost of sin, the ugly face of conflict.

Today, on this day, it is my hope and adamant prayer that we will internalize the sacrifices that have been made, the price that has been paid, to secure our rights and freedoms, we Americans dare to relegate to the bumpers of our S.U.V’s.

ICL…….Justin (MATTHEW 24:6-8)

CONFLICT SPAN TOTALS
War of Independence (1775-1783) 25,000
Quasi-War (1798-1800) 20
Barbary Wars (1801-1815) 35
War of 1812 (1812-1815) 20,000
1st Seminole War (1817-1818) 30
2nd Seminole War (1835-1842) 1,500
Mexican-American War (1846-1848) 13,283
3rd Seminole War (1855-1858) 26
Civil War (1861-1865) 623,026
Indian Wars (1865-1898) 919
Spanish-American War (1898) 2,446
Philippine War (1898-1902) 4,196
Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 37
Mexican Revolution (1914-1919) 35
Haiti Occupation (1915-1934) 146
World War 1 (1917-1918) 116,708
World War 2 (1941-1945) 407,316
Korean War (1950-1953) 36,914
Vietnam War (1964-1973) 58,169
El Salvador (1980-1992) 20
Beirut (1982-1984) 266
Persian Gulf Support (1987-1988) 39
Invasion of Grenada (1983) 19
Invasion of Panama (1989) 40
Persian Gulf War (1991) 269
Somalia (1992-1993) 43
Bosnia 1995 12
Afghanistan (2002-2010) 1,084+
Iraq (2003-2010) 4,400+
(Partial Source: U.S. Army Military History Institute; iCasualties.org)