Feel My Faith

Really excellent post. I linked to it from our Twi...

2010-03-09T15:41:18.343-06:00

Really excellent post. I linked to it from our Twitter account. Glad to know pastors are looking hard at curriculum for the sake of their flock.

Dan Kassis
Internet Producer
LifeWay Sunday School

I enjoyed your post, though sad to hear how many a...

2010-03-04T14:08:17.353-06:00

I enjoyed your post, though sad to hear how many are deceived as to their spiritual status before God.

See my British website:

What Is The Gospel?

Dear sir, thank you very much for your fair and ba...

2010-03-02T13:47:49.657-06:00

Dear sir, thank you very much for your fair and balanced approach to this wonderful Bible story that places God's redemption as the primary focus of Ruth. I am disturbed by Pastor West's message that seems to accommodate sexual improprieties rather than the righteous and virtuous character of Ruth and Boaz.

Brian, I checked out her Trademark. They trademark...

2010-02-21T16:04:46.653-06:00

Brian, I checked out her Trademark. They trademarked Smart Marriages, not Smart Marriage. They use a typed, serif font. Yours is script.
Theirs promotes a service for which they charge. Yours is just a sermon series that is free. No one coming to hear your sermons think they are attending her seminars. All of her speakers have a PhD or PsyD, but none seem to have a GoD.

Word Mark SMART MARRIAGES
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: educational services, namely, organizing, publicizing, providing and conducting seminars and workshops in the field of marital and interpersonal relationships and family life and organizing educational curriculum therefor.
FIRST USE: 19960110. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19960501
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING

Must be nice to own words. Wonder where I can get ...

2010-02-19T13:34:12.646-06:00

Must be nice to own words. Wonder where I can get me some?

Diane, This is a series of sermons, not a formaliz...

2010-02-19T11:39:53.575-06:00

Diane, This is a series of sermons, not a formalized "program." I do not know of any pastors who check trademarks before they title a sermon series. If I were going to create a "program" or write a book entitled "smart marriage", then yes, I agree. Under the law you have cited our content does not misrepresent your company, it does not hijack your url, it is not commercial, and it does not delude your company in any way. I would believe that my use of "Smart Marriage" was harmless, and in the end would have actually enhanced your company since any search for those words returns on 2 entries of my blog or a sermon and many others of your own. In any event, for sake of continuing this, and being able to concentrate on other issues, I have complied with your request to the best of my ability.

I hope you checked for Wise Marriage trademarks. W...

2010-02-19T10:36:17.603-06:00

I hope you checked for Wise Marriage trademarks. When we talked, I should have suggested that. It's important, before naming a program, to check and see if you're in violation - before you spend time/money on a name that's *taken*. I spend many hours with members of the coalition helping them find new titles that are not already marked. It's also good to find/create a program title that has an available url. - Diane Sollee, founder/director, Smart Marriages

Wow! That's all I'm gonna say, or I'll get your b...

2010-02-19T09:09:09.329-06:00

Wow! That's all I'm gonna say, or I'll get your blog in trouble and way off topic. Must...show...restraint!

I think "far from factual" is a stretch. True sta...

2010-02-15T18:55:00.547-06:00

I think "far from factual" is a stretch. True statistics vary but I checked several sources. If you notice I said that the statistics still vary greatly simply because men are "more successful", sadly enough, when they attempt suicide. However the attempts by men and women are getting closer in comparison, that was the point.

I think it is sad that you say, "who cares." I'm not sure why you are so pessimistic about the church, true it is not perfect, but I think it is far from "who cares!"

The suicide statistics mentioned in this sermon ar...

2010-02-15T15:48:17.730-06:00

The suicide statistics mentioned in this sermon are far from factual.

http://fathersforlife.org/health/who_suicide_rates.htm

In the USA Men's suicides are close to 5 times the number of women. In Russia they exceed the 5 x mark. 72 men per 100k commit suicide

If the rates were reversed and women were committing suicide at 5 times that of the men then the churches would be holding female suicide outreach programs.

If it matters to women churches talk about it. And since it's only men, who cares?

Our churches are out of touch with reality.

Is it any wonder the seven churches in Revelation which are symbolic of the churches today and throughout the church ages are disappointing to the Lord?

Pastor Brian, Your last statement about the docum...

2010-01-28T12:17:13.668-06:00

Pastor Brian,

Your last statement about the document turning ineffectual by splitting into numerous versions, is right on target. This is the main problem with Christianity right now. With all due respect to your beliefs, this is exactly why I had to come home to the one fold and one shepherd that Christ Himself founded. He never meant for us to be separated like this. We are ineffectual as witnesses will we are divided. Does the Church need reform- definitely. But true reform should always come from within, not by starting anew. So many marriages have faced the same treatment as our dear faith- when unhappy, spouses just leave and start over. We know what happens to families with this behavior. What about our Christian family? Doesn't it deserve better? I hope one day soon, we will all be united as Christ prayed for on Holy Thursday- one faith, one hope, one baptism, one shepherd.
God bless you and yours,
Gregory

My husband and I visited your church the Sunday th...

2010-01-26T10:17:51.934-06:00

My husband and I visited your church the Sunday this lesson was taught. I have a degree in Bible and Theology and was shocked that Lifeway would include this material without further explanation on West's part. It does cast a shadow on the rest of his teaching. Enjoyed the service, though!

Mr. McLaren says in his comments, "I assure you an...

2010-01-13T15:23:40.587-06:00

Mr. McLaren says in his comments, "I assure you and your readers that our goal is to hold our authors and their lessons to the highest faithfulness of God’s Word." Mr. McLaren - actions speak louder than words. A scene that would have been at least R rated had it been filmed, was no where near what God's word says took place. I'm not familiar with the word being shy about saying sexual misconduct occurred. When God's word gives us no reason to question the integrity of a person, why does LifeWay publish material based on an overactive imagination to create disrespect for three characters we've always looked to as good examples?

Mr. McLaren, I think you are using excuses to try ...

2010-01-12T17:14:32.721-06:00

Mr. McLaren,
I think you are using excuses to try and cover up bad judgement on Lifeway's part. My jaw is still on the ground. I can't believe Lifeway would allow so many liberties to be used with anything they publish much less a Sunday School lesson.

I am sorry, but I strongly disagree with the conte...

2010-01-12T16:51:32.902-06:00

I am sorry, but I strongly disagree with the content of this lesson; a member of our church brought me the copy of their lesson by and I am still completely dumbounded that Lifeway would incorporate this in study that they underwrite. As far as I am concerned the interepretations are not biblical and Lifeway is responsible for their publication of a disgusting portrayal of what is a beautiful account of "yes" new beginnings, new opportunities, but Ruth and Naomi did not compromise their integrity.

Thanks for that blog! That really shed some light ...

2010-01-11T19:22:48.102-06:00

Thanks for that blog! That really shed some light on some dark areas in my marriage.

Bro.Brian, Thanks for taking time to address the c...

2010-01-05T20:36:06.734-06:00

Bro.Brian, Thanks for taking time to address the concerns that many CLG teachers had about Mr. West's discussion/ interpretation of Ruth 3. Although authors, pastors, lay people, etc. often interpret Biblical incidents differently, I was actually disturbed and even offended by Mr. West's boldness of interpretation and expression in his writing. So, thank you for your observations and for contacting Lifeway! LSM

Your response was quite a lesson in itself. Thank ...

2010-01-04T23:02:47.824-06:00

Your response was quite a lesson in itself. Thank you, Pastor.

Hey Brian. Thanks for addressing this issue. I too...

2010-01-04T22:55:08.068-06:00

Hey Brian. Thanks for addressing this issue. I too disagree with Wests position on chap. 3 and view it as an opportunity to challenge the class to dig further in scripture and other study guides to come their own conclusion on controversal issues and bring their findings to the next class. The message of the book of Ruth is redemption and that theme must be our foundation in our study. Thanks, Scott

Great article. Thank you!

2010-01-02T00:44:45.438-06:00

Great article. Thank you!

Here is a picture from Briarcrest's website... ht...

2009-12-26T20:30:04.557-06:00

Here is a picture from Briarcrest's website...

http://www.briarcrest.com/images/slideShow/East-Mem-campus.jpg

It looks like they intentionally changed it in the movie.

Lew

My dear fellow, I am an Orthodox Christian, and I ...

2009-12-15T18:34:48.852-06:00

My dear fellow, I am an Orthodox Christian, and I have to tell you that you are utterly wrong and mistaken that we Orthodox Christians "pay for God's favour." I find your claim outrageous and misinformed. The woman gave the priest money as a tithe to the Church, out of love and gratitude for him being of help to her, also out of love for Christ Whom he represents in his ministry. The woman praying before the icon was no doubt in sorrow for her own trials of life. Being Christian does not mean that we will not suffer in this life, because the world is still a fallen place and will remain so until Christ comes again. But Christ is with us at every moment, weeping with us when we weep, rejoicing with us when we rejoice. Our destiny in Him is to be transformed and transfigured by Him through His Cross and Resurrection and the grace therefrom, to have our fallen image restored to the original image of God in which we were created. Prayers in the Orthodox Church are aimed at the healing of the human heart from sin, with Christ as our Divine Physician Who not only saves us but heals us through His grace and aids us as we pursue His call to holiness: "Be ye perfect as My Father in Heaven is perfect." You need to do research on the Orthodox Church rather than making a flash judgement through observing just one moment. We don't pay for God's help and grace! We simply believe in tithing, and we believe that the labourer is worthy of his hire. Love is the basis of all our actions, when we are striving to live in Christ.

Yours in Christ,
Gavrili

Dear Mr. Branam, Thank you for this post. I thin...

2009-12-15T12:57:10.963-06:00

Dear Mr. Branam,

Thank you for this post. I think you have a balanced view on this matter.

A portion of the R.C. Sproul quote brought to mind a program from John Ankerberg's show quite a while back in which R.C. was a guest. Walter Martin was on the show so it must have been in the late 80's. D.James Kennedy was also on the show if my memory serves me right. Anyway, at one point Mr. Ankerberg asked R.C Sproul a question with regard to whether or not Protestants should unite with R. Catholics in other
matters, such as injustices in our society (soical issues). His reply, which was very emphatic, was in effect, NO, they should do their good works among themselves and we Protestants should do our own, separate from them. Perhaps R.C. has changed his mind.

I think the problem among many Reformed folk is that they would prefer to ignore most any other Christians that do not embrace the Reformed faith, instead rather associating and fellowshipping among themselves alone. There may be exceptions but those are rare exceptions.

Just my two cents, for what it's worth.

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Good post, pastor Brian.

2009-12-14T16:29:16.608-06:00

Good post, pastor Brian.

This exceeds hilarious in a thousand untold ways.

2009-12-04T12:25:49.916-06:00

This exceeds hilarious in a thousand untold ways.