Conventional Thinking: Pray, listen, love
We’ve all done it. When somebody does something wrong, we take to Facebook to criticize or comment on it. When a controversial issue or event happens, we throw in our two cents on Twitter. We have come to a place nowadays when our first impulse reaction to any controversy is to post something on social media. For many, this can be a drive-by comment. For others, this can be arguing back and forth with others online. For many, this...
Conventional Thinking: Screen saver
A new report showed that American teenagers spend approximately nine hours a day of screen time. You read that right: nine hours! This accounts for daily use of “tablets, smartphones, personal computers, multimedia devices, video games, radios, DVDs, DVRs and TVs.” Before we scold these out-of-control teens, hear the other news. Another report by the Nielson Company revealed that adults are even worse, spending an average of 10 hours...
Conventional Thinking: Save the people
Millions of people in the online world sat watching and waiting for days on end, as livestream showed video coverage of a 15-year-old named April about to give birth to her baby. April, though, is not a teen mom. April is a giraffe who lives at Animal Adventure Park in New York. The world is captivated by the birth of this baby giraffe. We see it now with April the giraffe, as we saw it when many grieved over the deaths of “Cecil the...
Awakening in Ada: Ada, First events draw 200 decisions
ADA—If God were to begin a spiritual awakening in the “Bible Belt,” He might just choose a place like Ada to do it. That is what Brad Graves, pastor of Ada, First, believed. Through a multi-day event in February called “Awaken Ada,” the church saw approximately 200 spiritual decisions and has recorded more than 65 baptisms. “Many describe what happened in Ada, Okla. last week as unbelievable, overwhelming, anointed; and most said it...
Conventional Thinking: Addictions & renewal
As Evangelicals in the Protestant tradition, we sometimes are puzzled by the many holidays and special Sundays in other denominations. We are quick to recognize Christmas and Palm Sunday and Easter, but you will never find a hard-core Baptist celebrating All Saints Day. In Southern Baptist life, we especially are minimal in our holiday celebration. At the same time, we have become adept and known for observing special emphases...
