On Sunday, Matt Chandler stood behind the pulpit of the megachurch he helped build for the first time in three months. The popular pastor took a leave of absence in August after the elders at his church determined the "coarse and foolish jokes" he shared with a woman who was not his wife were evidence of "unhealth in his life." His return contrasts sharply with that of another prominent pastor who was forced to step aside for a time earlier this year: Johnny Hunt. What can we learn from their examples to better understand the role of humility and the danger of entitlement when dealing with our sins today? 

Author: Ryan Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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One of my favorite parts about the Christmas season is the diverse ways in which people celebrate it. In a recent article from The Atlantic, writers asked readers to send in some of their favorite family traditions for the holiday season. While the responses vary from the patently absurd to the heartwarming and inspiring, they clearly hold a special place in the lives of those who carry them out each year. They also offer us an important reminder about where we find the true value in our Christmas traditions. 

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Author: Ryan Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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Researchers have identified the US cities with the highest rates of marital infidelity, and the three most “unfaithful” cities in America, in order, are Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. We in Dallas refer to ourselves as the “Buckle of the Bible Belt.” But as the infidelity report illustrates, we are clearly living in a cultural mission field. No matter where you live in America, so are you. 

Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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England and Wales are no longer majority Christian according to newly released census data. The two British nations have fallen from 59 percent who called themselves Christians in 2011 to 46 percent who did so in 2021; the number of respondents saying they had no religion has risen from 25 percent a decade ago to 37 percent now. We are seeing the same pattern in the US: while 90 percent of Americans identified as Christians in 1972, only 64 percent did so in 2020. The damaging impact of this steady retreat from Christian faith and morality is on display every day in our culture.

Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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Protesters clashed with riot police last night in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, part of a string of demonstrations across the nation against the government’s so-called zero-COVID policy.  The restrictions are causing economic hardship and sparking anger over stringent lockdown policies. The unrest in China illustrates the simple but profound fact that ideas change the world. My purpose today, however, is less to focus on China’s cultural challenges and more to warn that abandoning the biblical worldview is a threat to America’s future as well. 

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Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, the biggest active volcano on our planet, began erupting last Sunday. People on the Big Island had feared this moment for decades since Mauna Loa had been overdue for an eruption after its longest quiet period on record, ever since 1984. Severe storms are threatening parts of the US. And the Christmas season can be especially difficult for many. In such trying times, where is God?

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Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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In the TV series “The Crown,” Prince Charles is depicted as encouraging Queen Elizabeth to abdicate the throne to him in 1991. However, the truth is different. Similarly, when we think of why God loves us and sent Jesus to us, the biblical truth is different from what many believe.

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Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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For more than fifty years, Bob Vogelbaugh has made sure that his Moline, Illinois, community is well fed on Thanksgiving Day. The former grocery store owner started this tradition in 1970 to include some of his customers who were going to be alone on Thanksgiving Day. What began as a small gathering inside his grocery store has grown to fill an entire food court in an area mall. He and his volunteers served more than 3,200 people this year. Bob Vogelbaugh’s wonderful Thanksgiving tradition foreshadows the thanksgiving dinner of all dinners. One day, those who know Christ as their Lord will hear these words: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). 

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Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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The Sheetz gas station chain dropped the price of Unleaded 88 gas to $1.99 per gallon to provide “much-needed relief at the pump” for Thanksgiving travelers. This is certainly a reason for thanks, but on this Thanksgiving Day, let’s consider our gratitude to God for who he is and what he does for us, with Psalm 100 as our guide.

Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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At least seven people are dead after a mass shooting at a Walmart supermarket in Chesapeake, Virginia, last night. Scripture calls us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), a command that is especially difficult to obey in the midst of tragedy. But it is in such hard times that serving others can spark gratitude in those who grieve and lift the spirits of those who are suffering. Of all the people who live and love in ways that evoke gratitude from others, followers of Jesus should be at the front of the line.

Author: Jim Denison, PhD

Narrator: Chris Elkins

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