The recent shut down of a pipeline by a Russian gang of ransomware criminals has been an inconvenience. Imagine what would happen, for example, if all power plants across the U.S. went offline. There are, of course, many other possible scenarios.

Will we stay ahead of the game? Will we ever get to the point when everything has a manual override? And, if so, will it be in time?

What are your thoughts?

Poll Results

Do you think America’s economy will be shut down or very severely hurt by cyber-attacks within the next five to ten years?

You have probably read about the fact that a commission began by President Trump to come to a conclusion about UFOs and present that conclusion to the people is underway.

The response to recently leaked videos taken by military personnel have led a number of top current and former government higher-ups (even someone like Mark Rubio) to state that people really saw these, their maneuvers are impossible with human technology, and that there is no other explanation other than alien appearances.

In Judges 11-12, we find the narrative about Jephthah.

When we think of him, we almost immediately think of his foolish vow and the consequences of it to his daughter.

Judges 11:30-31 in the ESV reads:

30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, 31 then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

I have read about how 45% of evangelicals are refusing to take the COVID vaccine. We are described as the largest demographic of non-vaccinators. You can read one such report from the New York Times here.

What will happen when campers at a Christian camp are influenced by other campers with gender dysphoria? Or when a biological boy registers as a girl and vice-versa? Will churches be able to escape federal mandates based upon our convictions, or will we be forced to play along or be closed?

This concern has been going through my mind, and I am wondering about the future of age-segregated ministry, particularly ministry that involves youth outside the church. But these issues can arise inside the church as well. Are we up fo fighting lawsuits?

According to USA Today:

John MacArthur is probably as close to a spokesperson for conservative evangelicals with a fundamentalist bent than anyone else, with the possible exception of Franklin Graham. Yet he is also noted for his controversial statements, some of which have created quite a stir and also get many of us to think rather than assume.

We are at a crossroads when it comes to COVID, at least in the western world.

Where are you at? Please choose the choice that best describes you.

Poll Results

Where are you COVID-wise?

Since 1996, I have used Prepare/Enrich personal inventory tests in an attempt to help with premarital counseling. I gave up using them this last year. The reason: they do not seem to make a long-term difference.

If I look at the divorce rate from my pre-testing years, it is no better or worse. Although targeting certain areas where a relationship is weak sounds logical, I wonder if it actually saves either time or energy, especially since it takes a session to take the test.

Election is a divisive issue, and so is damnation.

Are you Arminian on these particular points? Do you tend to believe that groups are elected, but not individuals within those groups?

Do you believe in predestination of the saved (election) and preterition of the lost (they are merely passed over), or do you believe in double election?

Or are you unsettled, or perhaps hold a viewpoint not listed? All comments are welcome, but if you hold another viewpoint, please (very briefly) explain what that might be.

Some people and pastors are Romans or Ephesian junkies. Other are perhaps Pauline addicts, while others thrive on the Gospels or Psalms. Some pastors are about getting their Acts together (sorry for the pun).

In your experience as both pastor and as part of a congregation — and you can add Christian radio listener to the group, etc., — which book (or set of books) from the list below would you say gets the least air time?