America is in dire need of transformation. The Christian’s response is not to sit back and watch, but to actively proclaim this need, the solution to the need, and the way forward.

Recently, one of the great preachers in our generation admitted to his fellow elders a sin severe enough to disqualify him from pastoral ministry. Those influenced by his teachings and preachings received a somber reminder of how no confidence should be placed in the flesh.

A little over a week ago, one of the Italian churches we have partnered with received devasting news. The Supreme Court of Italy ruled that their church building did not meet the criteria for a place of worship.

Is the Roman Catholic church a true church? I participated in a conference in Rome this past week, and this question undergirded much of the discussion.

The Great Commission is turned to the Great Consumer. Instead of making Christians, churches make clients. This occurs by bringing unbelievers into Sunday worship, conferences, and other church events to ‘save’ them. The reality is these churches need saving.

We in Western societies have sleepwalked our way into allowing covetous ideologies, primarily “socioeconomic justice”, which is grounded in socialist principles, to infiltrate all our major institutions of influence - our governments, our schools and universities, and our news and entertainment.

When the enemies surround us and bring their attacks against us, we already have the victory in hand. Christ, who conquered death and resurrected, has given us this victory. We don't need chariots of fire. That would be a downgrade. That would be settling for a weaker army. Christ is all we need.

This past Sunday began what’s known as Holy Week. Every day is holy to the Lord, so it’s not that this week, in particular, is commanded by the Lord to be set aside. All of us will work, go about our everyday routine, care for children, pay our bills, and live life as usual. However, we call it a holy week because of the marvelous events that unfolded in Scripture.

We are called to guard our mouths, for our words could destroy us, our families, our churches, and our society. Those who claim, "I just speak what's on my mind," don't display a virtuous characteristic but demonstrate a lack of self-control. Those who wear their emotions on their sleeves aren't "just being honest," but show they do not guard their mouth. How do we guard our mouths and tame our tongues?

Every so often, news headlines erupt with a hot topic that divides Christians. In the news last week, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled on a case that involved frozen embryos through the IVF process. A simple internet search will explain the process if you're unfamiliar with IVF. The Court's ruling acknowledged that each fertilized egg produced from IVF is a child. However, this sent shockwaves through the church.

Living at an intersection of various cultures has taught me many things. Some of these include similarities between all people. For instance, people enjoy laughing. God has created humor; people tell stories and jokes to make others laugh. Another example involves eating. Each group prides themselves on some dish or food from their nationality, and people enjoy eating. However, one of the most common similarities all cultures have is the use of words.

One of the most overused words in the English language is ‘good.’ Our days are good. Our kids are doing good. That Roman Carbonara was good. Her dress looks good. Good, good, good. We even use the word to remove the harshness of a description. For example, “That restaurant was good, but…” Good is not great, and it’s certainly not the best. It’s just, well, good. It’s no wonder that most people classify themselves as good. They know they aren’t perfect. They know they make mistakes. But they aren’t bad. So, they are good. However, the Bible removes this cultural lie and reveals that good is an excellent word.

We live in a time where tension among ethnicities is high. Over the past couple of decades, an increase in pressure has occurred. The Leftist globalism and "woke" ideology have fueled much of this tension and promoted the elevation of certain ethnicities. These ideologies are unbiblical, with terrible consequences.

We aren't called to be mindless, naïve, emotionally charged, obtuse people. We must be mindful, wise, joyful, and astute. This means proclaiming the Gospel that quenches all fires and brings reconciliation with the red-hot Eternal God. This means being salt and light, even when people want blandness and darkness. This starts with being a mindful Christian.

The world may hate you for stomping on their easy solution to guilt or even introducing a means by which guilt is absolved. Yet, we are called to be bold and courageous, not backing down, for we have a hope that rests on the absolution of transgressions.

The representative spoke at a prayer breakfast. In her introduction, she bragged about being on time to the prayer because she turned down sex with her fiancée. She then stated that it would happen that night. Later, she posted on the tweet machine that she goes to church because she is a sinner and not a saint while also noting that this was a joke. Many problems surround this now infamous speech.