I Love Laughter:

I love to hear Piper laugh. The sound of her laughter bouncing off the walls is music to my ears. Last night as I was playing with Piper and making her laugh I couldn’t help but wonder if Jesus laughed. Was His life filled with joy? Did He laugh?
Jesus Laughed

Jesus was the very embodiment of love. He was filled with God’s Spirit, who produces the fruit of joy (Galatians 5:22). I imagine that he and his disciples roared in some good times of belly-aching, room-rocking laughter in their collective joy.

The text I draw this from is John 15:12–15, in which Jesus emphasizes how he is friends with those who truly follow him. He will share his joy, which he possessed first, with them (John 17:13). Of course, it’s true to say that this joy relates to the peace we have with God through Christ.

But more practically, think of the many implications, and manifestations, of such a pledge for those he was immediately speaking to. Is there true friendship without sharing laughter together? Without enjoying the gift of each other? If all things were made through and for Christ, that must include the joys of relationships, of friendships — of happiness shared in laughter!

These joys are such a significant part of the human experience that it would be odd, perhaps even sinful, for the Lord, who “put on our feelings along with our flesh” as John Calvin says, to have passed over them. Therefore, the joy of Christ — and thus our joy — is serious business with eternal costs.

Laughter Is Serious Business

So it’s right and useful to consider the ways his joy was expressed while among us. Perhaps because the gospel writers knew Jesus’s laughing would be so obvious a reality they needn’t bother mentioning it. Or perhaps their eyes were so set on Calvary that they dare not make the gospel vignettes seem trite. But that they did not record it all, John makes plain in striking terms: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30).

Perhaps no one is clearer on Christ’s laughter and joy than Scottish theologian, Donald Macleod:

Much has been made of the fact that Jesus is never said to have smiled or laughed. Linked to the description of the Servant as ‘a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ it has furnished a basis for the idea that Jesus’ life was unremittingly joyless and stressful. But this is a serious over-simplification. Apart from all else, a joyless life would have been a sinful life. Would Jesus have been guilty of the anxiety he forbade in others (Mt. 6:25)? Would he have fallen short of Paul’s attainment as one who had learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11)? Or of the precept to ‘rejoice always’ (Phil. 4:4)? Could he have been filled with the Spirit and yet not have know the Spirit’s joy (Gal. 5:22)? Could he have given rest and relief to others (Mt. 11:28) while remaining depressed and disconsolate himself? . . .

There can be little doubt that, apart from the brief (although indescribably intense) moment of dereliction on Calvary, Jesus was serene, contented, and happy. He rejoiced, doubtless, in the being of his Father, meditating on him as an object of wonder and admiration; in his Father’s love, approbation and constant help and presence; in the beauties and glories of his Father’s creation; in doing his Father’s will, promoting his glory and saving his people; in the friendship, company and conversation of those the Father had given to be with him; and in anticipating his return to the glory he had with the Father ‘before the world began’ (Jn. 17:5). Such joy was an indispensable element in the psychology of his obedience. He served not as a slave but as a son. (The Person of Christ, 171)
Laughter is one way to see happiness and hear it; it’s happiness made visible and audible. It’s the sound of joy. It’s not joy’s only sound; there is joy in sorrow, in tears, underneath sobs, and in silence. And there is laughter — this happy treasure — to cherish as a gift from God.

Here, then, is a poem called “Beats,” on the holy laughter of Christ:

     Mama & daughter giggle in the suds,
     Baby girl & sister wriggle crackin’ up,
     Sissy & bride squealin’ with white wine.
     Ladies straight thunderin’, rollin’ joyous tides!

     Bathing in their bright rivers roaring from their dam-bustin’ hearts,
     the founts of their baptizing, glad refrain,
     Sarah’s thankful son adores the bellows:
     the resetting glees these gals hurricane.

     I didn’t know folks could hear it:
     chords of happiness’ hootin’ ring.
     But ah, now I see it — that
     hearing laughter is hearing happiness:
     guffawing hymns that smiles sing.

     M’dearies, please howl more your melodies,
     your chortlin’, cheered cacophonies,
     For your sonance croons venerating:
     That Jesus goofed and laughed, joked and jabbed;
     that God composed these beats. And they are good.

My Thoughts on Purity Pledges:

You’ll have a hard time finding a more passionate advocate for sexual abstinence than I. Beyond the biblical parameters that confine sex within marriage, the practical benefits of abstaining from sex are innumerable. Can you conceive of the global economic, social, and public health benefits of a world where no person had sex, except with the one person to whom they were committed for life through marriage?

Because I am a champion of sexual abstinence and of adherence to God’s design for biblical sexuality, I have a recommendation for the church: let’s put the purity rings on the bench for a season. Better yet, maybe we should consider finding a cozy spot in the recycling bin for the virginity pledge certificates. Let’s declare a moratorium on the various forms of publicly committing to sexual abstinence.

I know this may sound antagonistic or counterproductive, but here are my reasons for urging Christian communities to reconsider this practice:

1)    Virginity pledges generally do not work.
Over the past decade, a number of studies have examined the efficacy of virginity pledges, showing that they have little to no impact among religious teenagers. The most publicized initial study, published by then Johns Hopkins doctoral student Janet Rosenbaum, found that religious students who signed virginity pledges both had sex before marriage and had their sexual debut at about the same rate as religious students who did not take the pledge. One study found that eighty-eight percent of pledgers had sex before marriage. Further research found that students who already had a deep religious commitment prior to the pledge succeeded in abstaining from sex, while pledgers without great spiritual devotion failed. In other words, the ring itself had no bearing on a child’s sexual behavior. Their spiritual maturity determined whether or not they would remain obedient to God’s commands in this area, irrespective of the pledging.

2) Purity pledges tend to focus on sexual intercourse and not overall sexual obedience.
At a 2006 Youth Specialties Conference, Real Sex author Lauren Winner emphasize the importance of not making intercourse the sole focus of sex education within churches. Two problems arise from such accentuation.

First, students may engage in an array of sexual sin- pornography, masturbation, oral sex, etc.- but dismiss this as acceptable because they have not crossed the coveted virginity threshold. Is a young person really better off entering marriage as a virgin but having looked at pornography every day?

Secondly, once a student breaks the pledge and has sexual intercourse, well, it’s all over. Why repent? Winner emphasized the notion among young people that once they have engaged in intercourse, they had less motivation to resist afterwards because they were no longer a virgin. The had failed in the purported goal of sexual obedience- to enter marriage as a virgin- and had little reason to repent down the road.

The New Testament condemnation of “sexual immorality” (Mt. 15:19, Rm. 13:13, 1 Cor. 5:1, Gal. 5:19, Eph. 5:3, Col. 3:5, etc.) uses the Greek term porneia. Porneia, refers to sexual intercourse outside of marriage and any way in which sex becomes an idol. God calls Christians, not only to abstain from premarital sex, but also to repent from the aforementioned manifestations of sexual idolatry.

3) They associate righteousness with external behavior rather than the blood of Christ.
The language of purity pledges very often includes talk of entering marriage “pure” and “clean” or with a “clear conscience.” Unfortunately, even if by God’s grace a person does enter marriage having abstained from premarital sex, they still are not chaste. Jesus makes clear in the Sermon on the Mount that any person who has lusted sexually after another person has committed adultery [1]. When we consider sexual sin at the heart level, rather than through a behavioral lens, no person approaches marriage sexually pure. We all have sinned sexually. Purity pledges imply that righteousness can be achieved through one’s ability to adhere to a code of conduct. In reality, “purity” comes only through the blood of Christ. Through Jesus, God makes sinners white as snow. We never should suggest to young people that their “purity” originates in their efforts. This message is particularly important for young people to hear, given that everyone will sin sexually and everyone will need to remember God’s forgiveness along the way.

4) Emphasis is usually on our effort rather than our dependence on God.
I cannot think of a more difficult temptation to resist than that of sexual temptation. Scripture validates the powerful allure of lust in 1 Corinthians by saying that we should “flee” sexual immorality [2]. Don’t resist, don’t fight, but we should physically remove ourselves from this type of temptation. Thus, we are no match for sexual temptation out of our own strength.
Purity pledges tend to emphasize the commitment of the young person. The decision, signified by the certificate or ring, is central. Given our desperate need for God’s help in such a challenging struggle, greater attention needs to be given to God’s commitment to us. When we face temptation, God pledges to give us a way out. When we are caving, God promises us the Holy Spirit to lead us away from sin. When we fall, God commits to forgive and restore us in our contrition.

In conclusion,because I am a champion of sexual abstinence and of adherence to God’s design for biblical sexuality, I have a recommendation for the church: let’s put the purity rings on the bench for a season. Better yet, maybe we should consider finding a cozy spot in the recycling bin for the virginity pledge certificates. Let’s declare a moratorium on the various forms of publicly committing to sexual abstinence. Instead of focusing on sexual intercourse let us focus on overall sexual obedience. Instead of focusing our righteousness on external behavior, let us focus on blood of Christ. Finally, let us teach dependence on God as opposed to depending on our own efforts. 

You're Wrong & You're Loved:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.-1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Author: Kevin Deyoung

It’s not the only sin mentioned, but it is different from all the rest, at least right now. At this moment in history, contrary to the other sins listed here, homosexuality is celebrated by our larger society with pioneering excitement. It’s seen as a good thing, as the new hallmark of progress.

To be sure, the masses increasingly make no bones about sin in general. Innumerable people are idolaters, not to mention those who are sexually immoral, or who commit adultery, or who steal and are greedy and get wasted and revile neighbors and swindle others. It happens all the time. And each of these unrepentant sins are the same in the sense of God’s judgment. They all deserve his wrath. And we’re constantly reminded that “such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

But as far as I know, none of those sins are applauded so aggressively by whole groups of people who advocate for their normalcy. Sexual immorality is no longer the tip of the spear for the progressive push. Adultery is still frowned upon by many. Accusations of greed will still smear a candidate’s political campaign. Thievery is still not openly embraced, and there are no official initiatives saying it’s okay to go steal things that don’t belong to you. There’s no such thing as a drunk agenda yet. Most aren’t proud to choose a beverage over stability, and there aren’t any petitions that the government should abolish the driving restrictions of inebriated individuals. Reviling others still isn’t seen as the best way to win friends and influence people. Swindling, especially on a corporate level, usually gets someone thrown into jail. In fact, the infrastructure of the American economy depends upon, in some measure, our shared disdain for conniving scammers.

Perhaps excepting fornication, these sins are still seen in a pretty negative light. But not homosexual practice, not by those who are now speaking loudest and holding positions of prominence. According to the emerging consensus, homosexuality is different.

As Christians, we believe with deepest sincerity that the embrace of homosexual practice, along with other sins, keeps people out of the kingdom of God. And if our society celebrates it, we can’t both be caring and not say anything. Too much is at stake. This means it is an oversimplification to say that Christians — or conservative evangelicals — are simply against homosexuality. We are against any sin that restrains people from everlasting joy in God, and homosexual practice just gets all the press because, at this cultural moment, it’s the main sin that is so freshly endorsed in our context by the powers that be. Let’s hope that if there’s some new cultural agenda promoting thievery — one that says it’s now our right to take whatever we want from others by whatever means — that Christians will speak out against it. The issue is sin. That’s what we’re against. And that’s what should make our voice so unique when we speak into this debate.

Some would like to see this whole issue of homosexuality divided into two camps: those who celebrate it and those who hate it. Both of these groups exist in our society. There are the growing numbers, under great societal pressure, who praise homosexuality. We might call them the left. And there are people who hate homosexuality, with the most bigoted rationale and apart from any Christian concern. We might call them the right.

The current debate is plagued by this binary lens. Those on the left try to lump everyone who disagrees with them into that right side. If you don’t support, you hate. Meanwhile, those on the right see compromise and spinelessness in anyone who doesn’t get red-faced and militant. If you don’t hate, you support.

But true followers of Christ will walk neither path. We have something to say that no one else is saying, or can say.

Distancing ourselves from both the left and the right, we don’t celebrate homosexual practice, we acknowledge God’s clear revealed word that it is sin; and we don’t hate those who embrace homosexuality, we love them enough to not just collapse under the societal pressure. We speak the truth in love into this confusion, saying, simultaneously, “That’s wrong” and “I love you.” We’re not the left; we say, this is wrong. And we’re not the right; we say, you’re loved. We speak good news, with those sweetest, deepest, most glorious words of the cross — the same words that God spoke us — “You’re wrong, and you’re loved.”

God tells us we’re wrong, that the wages of sin is death, that unrepentant rebellion means judgment, that our rescue required the cursed death of his Son (Romans 3:23; John 3:36; Galatians 3:13). And God tells us we’re loved, that even while we were sinners, Jesus died for us, that while we were unrighteous, Jesus suffered in our place, that though we were destined for wrath, Jesus welcomes us into glory (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:1–7).

You’re wrong and you’re loved — that’s the unique voice of the Christian. That’s what we say, speaking from our own experience, as Tim Keller so well puts it, “we’re far worse than we ever imagined, and far more loved than we could ever dream.”

That’s our message in this debate, when society’s elites despise us, when pop songs vilify us, when no one else has the resources to say anything outside of two extremes, we have this incomparable opportunity to let the gospel shine, to reach out in grace: you’re wrong and you’re loved. We get to say this.

That’s why homosexuality is not like other sins.

Tough Question: How Do You Share the Gospel with Children?

The most important thing you can do for a child is to teach him or her the good news about how to be right with God, how to be forgiven of sin through the person and work of Christ. Many have asked me, "How can I explain the gospel to children in terms they understand without toning down the hard demands of Christ? Must a child understand Jesus's lordship to be saved?"

Certainly children are limited in their ability to understand spiritual truth, but so are adults. Very few people intellectually understand all the gospel truth at the moment of salvation. Fortunately, the essential truths are basic enough that even a child can understand. Jesus Himself characterized saving faith as childlikeness (Mark 10:15). True belief is not a function of advanced intellect, sophisticated theological understanding, or complex doctrinal knowledge.

Children old enough to be saved can grasp the concept of coming to Christ with an obedient heart, and letting Him be boss in their lives.

When sharing the gospel with a child, here are a few points to keep in mind: 

(1) Remember that repetition and restatement are especially helpful. Give the gospel simply and briefly, but don't assume the first positive response means they got all the truth they need to know. Continue explaining and expanding your explanations. Too many ministries to children equate every positive response with a real conversion.

(2) Use Scripture and explain it clearly. Even with children, God's Word is the seed that produces life (1 Peter 1:23). Don't use approaches that give gospel outlines with no Scripture. Only the Bible can speak with authority to the human heart—including a child's heart.

(3) Understand the inherent danger in any outline or prefabricated presentation: they tend to follow a predetermined agenda that may bypass the child's real needs or fail to answer his or her most important questions.

(4) Finally, remember that the issues in salvation are the same for a child as for an adult. The gospel is the same message for every age group. The great British preacher of the last century, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, correctly observed:

"We must be careful that we do not modify the gospel to suit various age groups. There is no such thing as a special gospel for the young, a special gospel for the middle-aged, and a special gospel for the aged. There is only one gospel, and we must always be careful not to tamper and tinker with the gospel as a result of recognizing these age distinctions. At the same time, there is a difference in applying this one and only gospel to the different age groups; but it is a difference which has reference only to method and procedure."  (from knowing the times [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1989], 2) 

Children must be able to understand that sin is an offense to God's holiness and that they are personally guilty (though because of their limited experiences, most kids obviously won't have as deep a sense of personal guilt as adults). There's nothing wrong with telling children about hell and God's wrath. Children do not have a difficult time grasping such concepts. They understand punishment for wrongdoing and are capable of understanding that Jesus died to take the punishment for the sins of others.

They need to be told that Jesus expects to be obeyed, and they will understand even better than some adults that trusting Jesus means obeying Him. The importance of obedience needs to be emphasized repeatedly, even after the child makes a profession of faith.

The Bible is very clear in emphasizing that parents—particularly fathers—are to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Teach your children to respect you and to pay attention to the biblical truths that you teach. Be accurate and clear in your explanation of God's Word, remembering that instruction is not just verbal. It's also non-verbal by the way you live your life before their watching eyes.

Cultivating godly children in an increasingly evil world sometimes seems like an impossible responsibility. At least that's what you might conclude if you listen to some experts. Many parents and parents-to-be have been intimidated into thinking they can't possibly lead, love, and nurture their children in a way that pleases God—at least not without lengthy training seminars, strict methods, and complex programs.

While the world may have changed, God's Word hasn't. Effective, godly parenting is not only possible, it's well within reach of anyone willing to understand and apply what God says on the subject.

Heart for Adoption

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Wednesday Worship

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Wednesday Worship

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Wednesday Worship

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Monday Morning Humor

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Monday Morning Humor

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Monday Morning Humor:

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Our Generation

Our Generation- By Zoe Tempesta and Lorna Stephenson

our generation
Our generation is so obsessed with the idea of perfection
Society has consumed us with the thought of how we are meant to be
At first it was skinny
Now it is thick
What’s next?
We are influenced by terms that are not even real words
Such as
Baddie
Thot
Swag
Icy
We look up to celebrities who are addicted to fame, drugs and money
They taught us quotes such as “Yolo” and “Turn down for what”
Lyrics have become angrier, raunchier, and discriminating
Is this really role model criteria?
All I see in high school is a bunch of people who hate each other pretending to be friends
It is no longer a place to learn
Instead it’s all about
Passing
Failing
Appearances
And who you surround yourself with
High school is hell
A girl cries
People laugh
She thought she could trust him
Now the whole school has seen her naked
A guy lets a girl know how beautiful she is to him
Screenshots
Tweets
100 Favorites
All because he sounded “Thirsty”
People aren’t even dating anymore
You only find “Things” “Hook ups” and “Friends with benefits”
We meet on twitter by “Sliding into dm’s”
Which leads to talking
Catching feelings
Sleeping together
And ending as strangers
This generation has lost the meaning of romance
We toss around “‘I love you’s” like they’re “‘Hello’s”
We give our bodies to people who don’t care
And we are judged by the amount of people we have let in
Our generation relies on alcohol, drugs, and parties
We drink to get drunk
Drunk texts
Drunk hook ups
Drunk driving
Drunk decisions
Drugs are easy to find
When stressed
When happy
When lonely
When bored
Parties are no longer about celebrations
It’s for
Beer pong
Shots
Smoking
Sex
Our generation tried to grow up too fast
People of this generation do not talk
Only exchange links
We are masked by computer and phone screens
Confrontation has turned into
140 characters
Text
Status
And if we are lucky, a phone call
Doorbells are not rung
Instead a “Here” text is sent
Rather than being ignored physically
It is now just a “Read” text
Yet, it still hurts just the same
Because getting no message is also a message
Technology has ruined adventuring
We do not go out in the rain because our iPhones will be ruined
We do not camp because service is unavailable
We do not venture beyond places without outlets
Too many adolescents have addictions to superficial things
iPads, iPhones, tablets have substituted outdoor activities for Apps you can download freely
Parents complain all the time about this messed up generation
About how we are the wasted youth
But let’s not let them forget
They raised us
Times have changed
Parents have no idea what it’s like to be a teenager in this generation
We are constantly compared
Surrounded by peer pressure
And mislead by people who we thought cared
And even through all the bad, our generation still has hope 

Pastor Dad: How to Lead a Family Devotion:

Pastor Dad: How to Lead a Family Devotion

May 18, 2015 | By Jason Hayes

Each evening at exactly 7:00 pm, my wife and I call our children downstairs for a family devotion. All 3 of our boys (ages 7, 4, 2) hurry down adorning fresh pajamas and neatly combed hair. Each one of them undoubtedly smells terrific. They’ve just meticulously bathed themselves in all-natural soaps and shampoos. Carrie and I are eager for their arrival as we’ve spent the previous 30 minutes in a series of marriage-building exercises and writing love notes to one another. This is always done while holding hands. Interlocked, of course.

Once the kids join us, they get along perfectly. There is never pestering, arguing, or crying. Each of the boys gently situate themselves at the table, being careful not to knock over the illustrative popsicle stick Noah’s arc that I made during my lunch break. They then begin nibbling (without making a mess) on the fresh scones that Carrie had baked for them that afternoon. After participating in a fun and hilarious ice breaker together, we all settle in for an extensive time of Bible study. We conclude after one hour with a family cheer and our kids excitedly hurry to bed.

This is what family devotions look like at your house too, right?

OK. I possibly may have deviated from the truth just a little bit in my account. Or maybe I deviated quite a bit.

THE REALITY

In reality, it just doesn’t look like this at our home. Our schedule is ever-changing and our routine is fluid.
We’re not anywhere close to that regimented, organized, or polished. Our kids have never eaten a snack without a decent portion of it ending up on the floor and baths look more like a “hosing down” at times. And, finally, our devotions feel much less like a scene from Leave It To Beaver and sometimes much more like a scene from Dukes of Hazzard. (minus Boss Hogg and The Boar’s Nest)
Maybe things feel like this for you at times also. But, let me encourage you today.

Let it go. (cue the Frozen soundtrack)

PERSISTENCE OVER PERFECTION

But, don’t let go of the idea of gathering your family regularly for time with each other and the Lord. Rather, let go of the idea that it has to be perfect.
We’re not perfect. Nor will our family devotions be perfect. But, we can rest in a perfect God who honors our efforts. Thus, if you aren’t leading a family devotion, get started! If you are, keep going!

FAMILY DEVOTION TIPS

1. Put down the phone. Don’t expect your family to be focused if you aren’t either. The email, text, or call can wait.

2. Set some goals. Whether it’s a commitment to giving, Bible reading, or memorizing Scripture; a common goal provides a tangible gauge for growth. Sojourn’s, A Catechism for Boys and Girls is a favorite resource in our home.

3. Ask good questions. Me: “Did you have a good day?” My kids: “Yes!” Next: crickets. Try something like “what was the hardest part of your day?” or “what did you learn about God today?” and keep the dialogue going.

4. Make Jesus the hero. Matt Chandler powerfully makes the point in this video.
Jesus is the hero. Let’s remind our families of this truth daily. The Jesus Storybook Bible does this well also.

5. Pray for one another aloud. Don’t just pray in abstracts or about distant matters. Make sure your family members hear the rest of the family praying for them specifically.

Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive. Let’s encourage one another. What tips would add?

The Role of a Deacon:

Who should be a deacon? What does the Bible say deacons should do?

THE TWO BIBLICAL OFFICES: ELDERS AND DEACONS

Comparing the office of deacon to the office of elder will help us answer these questions. The primary spiritual leaders of a congregation are the elders, who are also called overseers or pastors in the New Testament. Elders teach or preach the Word and shepherd the souls of those under their care (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9; Heb. 13:17). Deacons, too, have a crucial role in the life and the health of the local church, but their role is different from the elders’. The biblical role of deacons is to take care of the physical and logistical needs of the church so that the elders can concentrate on their primary calling.

This distinction is based on the pattern found in Acts 6:1–6. The apostles were devoted “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (v. 4). Since this was their primary calling, seven men were chosen to handle more practical matters in order to allow the apostles the freedom to continue with their work.

This division of labor is similar to what we see with the offices of elder and deacon. Like the apostles, the elders’ primary role is one of preaching the Word of God. Like the seven, deacons serve the congregation in whatever practical needs may arise.

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS

The only passage that mentions the qualifications for deacons is 1 Timothy 3:8–13. In this passage, Paul gives an official but not exhaustive list of the requirements for deacons.

The similarities of the qualifications for deacons and elders/overseers in 1 Timothy 3 are striking. Like the qualifications for elders, a deacon must not be an addict (v. 3,), not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 3), blameless (v. 2; Titus 1:6), the husband of one wife (v. 2), and an able manager of his children and household (vv. 4–5). Furthermore, the focus of the qualifications is the moral character of the person who is to fill the office: a deacon must be mature and above reproach. The main difference between an elder and a deacon is a difference of gifts and calling, not character.

Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12:

Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to “respectable,” which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. 3:2).

Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.

Not addicted to much wine (v. 8): A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.

Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8): If a person is a lover of money, he is not qualified to be a deacon, especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.

Sound in faith and life (v. 9): Paul also indicates that a deacon must “hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” The phrase “the mystery of the faith” is simply one way Paul speaks of the gospel (cf. 1 Tim. 3:16). Consequently, this statement refers to the need for deacons to hold firm to the true gospel without wavering. Yet this qualification does not merely involve one’s beliefs, for he must also hold these beliefs “with a clear conscience.” That is, the behavior of a deacon must be consistent with his beliefs.

Blameless (v. 10): Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. Although Paul does not specify what type of testing is to take place, at a minimum, the candidate’s personal background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined. Moreover, the congregation should not only examine a potential deacon’s moral, spiritual, and doctrinal maturity, but should also consider the person’s track record of service in the church.

Godly wife (v. 11): It is debated whether verse 11 refers to a deacon’s wife or to a deaconess. For the sake of this discussion, we will assume the verse is speaking about the qualifications of a deacon’s wife. According to Paul, deacons’ wives must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). Like her husband, the wife must be dignified or respectable. Secondly, she must not be a slanderer or a person who goes around spreading gossip. A deacon’s wife must also be sober-minded or temperate. That is, she must be able to make good judgments and must not be involved in things that might hinder such judgment. Finally, she must be “faithful in all things” (cf. 1 Tim. 5:10). This is a general requirement which functions similarly to the requirement for elders to be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6) and for deacons to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:10).

Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.

Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children.

In general, if a moral qualification is listed for elders but not for deacons, that qualification still applies to deacons. The same goes for those qualifications listed for deacons but not for elders. For example, a deacon should not be double-tongued (v. 8, ESV). Paul does not explicitly say this about elders, but no doubt it applies to elders since Paul has said that elders must be “above reproach,” which would include this prohibition.

Still, we should observe the differences in the qualifications, since they either signify a trait that is particularly fitting for the office-holder in order to accomplish his duties, or is something that was a problem in the location to which Paul writes (in this case, Ephesus). This should be more clear as we turn to considering a deacon’s responsibilities.

Deacons Responsibilities:

In the New Testament, the word usually translated "serve" is the Greek word diakoneo, which literally means "through the dirt." It refers to an attendant, a waiter, or one who ministers to another. From this word we get the English word “deacon.” We first see the word "deacon" used this way in the book of Acts. “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (Acts 6:2). The men who were giving themselves to feeding the flock by preaching and teaching realized that it wasn’t right for them to leave those activities to wait tables, so they found some other men who were willing to serve, and put them in place to minister to the church’s physical needs while the elders or pastors ministered to their spiritual needs. It was a better use of the resources they were given, and a better use of everyone’s gifts. It also got more people involved in serving and helping one another.

Today, for the biblical church, these roles are essentially the same. Elders and pastors are to “preach the word…reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2), and deacons are to be appointed to take care of everything else. In a modern church, this might include taking on administrative or organizational tasks, ushering, being responsible for building maintenance, or volunteering to be the church treasurer. It depends on the need and the gifts of the available men.

According to the Deacon Handbook which Pastor Terry Jr. left in my office the practical duties include but are not limited to...

1. loyal support of the pastor and staff
2. Faithful attendance at the services of the church
3. Encouragement of and participation of the church- Sunday School, Music, Church Training, Outreach, etc.
4. A consistent commitment to stewardship
5. Personal evangelism of the lost and visitation of the sick, and shut ins
6. Regular attendance at the meetings of the deacons
7. Service opportunities as they arise in the church

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Acknowledging Different Types Of Mothers:

I'm To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be

To those who step-parent – we walk with you on these complex paths

To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren -yet that dream is not to be, we grieve with you

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

To those who placed children up for adoption — we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heart

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

Monday Morning Humor

If you are watching from a phone here is the link: Monday Morning Humor

May Newsletter

For Parents on the Go:

1. Saturday, May 9th 9:00 am-12:00 pm: FREE car wash to thank the church for supporting our upcoming summer trip to the Journey Camp in Georgia.
2. Saturday, May 30th 9:00 am-11:30 am: CREW will be going on mission to a neighborhood near downtown Winston Salem to host a backyard Bible club for Hispanic children. 
3. June 6th: GRADUATION DAY for all high school graduates. We are proud of each of our graduates.
4. Sunday, June 7th: Graduate Recognition Service in both services for ALL high school and college graduates. If you are a graduate I will need a baby picture, Senior picture, and your plans after high school or college.
5. Saturday, June 20th 11:00 am- 4:00 pm: Helping work booths and games for Old Vineyard at Tangelwood
6. Monday, June 22-Friday, June 26th: The Journey Camp in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Watch the bulletin for information on an upcoming parent meeting

Dear Parents,

We had an exciting April filled with a human ice cream Sundae fight and exciting lessons through the Gospel of God asking Who is Jesus as well as beginning a new series entitled The God Who Saves which focuses on the role of the church in our lives and how Christians are to gossip the Gospel wherever they go. Every Sunday I have an object lesson which is pulled from a trunk. Make sure to ask your teen each Sunday what the object was and what it represents. 

In the weeks leading up to the human ice cream Sundae fight I was asked by several individuals what the "point" was for playing so many games during youth group. Here are 5 reasons why we play games in CREW...

1. Play is a unique, God-given, universal, human experience.

One of the first things a baby does to express her humanity is to play and laugh. That first game of peek-a-boo not only melts a parent’s heart, it establishes a uniquely human connection. Play is basic to being human. As Jackson Lee Ice puts it:

Man is the only animal that weeps and laughs and knows that he weeps and laughs, and wonders why. He is the only creature that weeps over the fact that he weeps, and laughs over the fact that he laughs. He is the most play seeking, play making, and play giving species that has walked the earth, ever ready to provoke or be provoked with play; even in the midst of fear and pain he is capable of incongruously ameliorating his misery by a smile, pun, or joke. He is the jester in the courts of creation.[1]

2. Play is a vital part of most meaningful, healthy human relationships.

The ability to play well with others is one of the first social expressions we look for in human development. Although we tend to forget how to play as we “mature,” it remains a vital quality in the most edifying relationships.

3. Play tends to be seen as either frivolous or an end in itself.

Play, especially within sport, tends to be dismissed as meaningless, worldly, and contrary to sober Christian living. On the other hand, Christians can be pulled into the idolatry of sport and leisure as an end in itself to be sought at all costs. A biblical understanding of play as given by God for his glory and our good, but never an end itself, will help coaches, athletes, and soccer moms appreciate play and use it as a conduit of glorifying God. Such a re-orientation will give perspective to our lives as intended. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).

4. Christian maturity should develop a godly sense of play.

As all other areas of our lives, play should fall under the sanctifying effects of the Holy Spirit’s work.

5. Ministers should help people play well.

A Christian who takes his role as a minister seriously must be able to lead people in godly play. As a pastor of middle/high school students who generally have a deep hunger to know God, I’m convinced that helping God’s people survive in a broken world requires a well developed ability to play. A minister of the gospel must be able to cry and mourn, laugh and play with godly gusto, and lead others in these as well.

Play is not a major emphasis in the Bible, and it can be unhelpful to encourage play in a culture that so often and easily trivializes God and life itself. Yet I do believe that a sense of play is necessary for a healthy Christian perspective on life. The failure to appreciate play in the Christian life could easily turn piety into sanctimony, reverence into rigidity, and sanctification into stuffiness. We must take God as seriously as we can, but never ourselves.

God invites us to approach him as his free, forgiven, secure children. We are to approach our holy God with healthy fear and hearts broken by our broken world. But God’s people are also called to rejoice, sing, play, and laugh because we know that the owner of all things is working out his perfect plan that ends with a wedding banquet and perfect resolution and rest. This sure hope in God’s sovereign power and loving-kindness enables us to play with reckless abandon, even before the Great Wedding Banquet begins.

In conclusion, I love to play games and will continue to play games. On the surface it may appear to be frivolous fun; however, through play we are teaching teenagers to survive in a broken world and how to develop a healthy Christian perspective on life.

Thank you for entrusting your son/daughter to the youth ministry at FBCS.

Reaching, Teaching, & Releasing,

T Welch

7 Reasons Why GREAT Sex is a Must in Your Marriage:

Here are 7 reasons why GREAT sex is a must in your marriage:

#1. Sex Helps Couples Reconnect From The Disconnect Caused Through Everyday Life.
Wow! That’s wordy especially for me. Here is a shorter way to say it: sex helps couples resolve conflict. Don’t believe me? Try having sex while you are mad with one another. It is easy to get busy and stay busy and get mad and get madder. When things like that happen in life, sex gets put on the back burner and you stay disconnected. If you are working on having great sex and trying to have sex multiple times a week at least, I believe it’s going to force you to pay more attention to each others’ needs and feelings — and clear the air on things a bit quicker then you would. Make-up sex is amazing as well, so that is a plus to resolving your conflict.

#2. Sex Fulfills a Basic Need/Want.
I hate reading things or talking to people who just assume men are the only ones that like to have sex. Women like sex, too! At the core, sex is something that is desired, longed for, and needed. If you are married and not doing it, then you’re simply missing out on one of the joys of marriage. One of the love languages is “Physical Touch” and last time I checked, sex counts for physical touch. If this is your spouse’s love language, then they “feel” loved when you make love. Also, Shaunti observed in her book For Women Only: men especially feel like they can conquer anything in the workplace if they feel like they are winning in the bedroom, so your husband’s self-esteem can even go up the more you have sex.

#3. Sex Creates Intense Intimacy Like Nothing Else
Sex unites you. Sex builds physical intimacy. It’s when my wife and I are “closest” both figuratively and literally. It bonds the couple together. For women, a powerful bonding hormone called oxytocin is released in the brain during only two activities: breastfeeding a baby or sexual orgasm. Sex connects a husband and wife on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. It mirrors the kind of spiritual intimacy we can have with God. Need I say more?

#4 Sex lowers stress in Life and In Marriage.
Sex can be an escape at times, something that temporarily dims the cares of the world and releases stress. Sexually satisfied couples are less likely to be stressed out and angry.

#5. Sex is Fun… Irreplaceable FUN
FUN, FUN, and MORE FUN. It’s fun, and we need more fun in our marriages! The act is fun. The memories of the act are fun. The visuals from the act are fun. The workout, the exploration of each other’s bodies. The experimenting. The practice. I know for me and most guys I know, we want a naked visual or mental replay of sex to have with our wives as the star. If no sex happens, then the images that pop up are not of their wife.

#6. Sex is The Best Feeling Ever.
There’s a reason sex drives so much of our culture and what we do: it feels amazing. Seriously. It’s awesome and is a gift created exclusively for married couples to enjoy together, so why wouldn’t you? It’s good for you. There have to be plenty of studies to back that up!

#7. Sex Protects Both Partners From Sexual Temptation Outside The Marriage.
If none of the above are met, then you’re roommates at best; your spouse will eventually look elsewhere to find validation and love. This is tough to hear, but if you were able to read my emails and hear the conversations I have, you would see how important it is to be having sex. Now, I have also talked to several people who claim to have a great sex life but still had a partner who cheated, so I am not saying sex is a guarantee against adultery, BUT frequent sex will lower the risk and temptation. There are a number of needs that need to be met in marriage – physical, spiritual, and emotional – and you need to be careful that you are meeting all of these not just concentrating on one.

In conclusion, if you are married... go and have GREAT sex.

Author: Craig Gross
Original Article: 7 Reasons WHY Great sex is a Must In Your Marriage
Original Date: September 24, 2014