Monthly Archives: February 2012

MODELING HONOR

Posted on February 23, 2012 by stanwiedeman

Shock waves rumbled throughout the modeling world in December when a Victoria’s Secret model walked off the runway. Kylie Bisuttii achieved national recognition in 2009 when she won the nationally televised Victoria’s Secret Model Search over 10,000 contestants. She was 19.

Almost 2 years later, to the day, she did not appear in the televised Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (Dec. 1). Wanting to explain her absence, Bisutti tweeted, “I have decided not to model lingerie because I personally feel that I am not honoring God or my husband by doing it.” Continue reading →

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DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL WIMPINESS

Posted on February 14, 2012 by stanwiedeman

“I realized that I do not really trust in God’s sovereignty on a daily basis, as I have sufficient buffers in place to shield me from most economic shocks. I realized that when these folks pray the fourth petition of the Lord’s prayer – Give us this day our daily bread – their minds do not wander as mine so often does. I realized that while I have sufficient education and training to deliver a sermon on God’s sovereignty with no forewarning, these slum dwellers were trusting in God’s sovereignty just to get them through the day. And I realized that these people had a far deeper intimacy with God than I probably will ever have in my entire life.” Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Poverty, Sovereignty of God, Spiritual Maturity | Leave a comment

THE CONFOUNDING CHURCH

Posted on February 7, 2012 by stanwiedeman

Eighteen million views and counting. Jefferson Bethke posted his well-crafted four-minute video on YouTube January 10. “Viral” might be an understatement.

Bethke uses rapper-like poetry to communicate his message in “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” He begins with the claim, “What if I told you that Jesus came to abolish religion?” He intends to challenge the hypocrisy that creeps into every organized religion, but his broad brush paints a confusing depiction of Jesus v Religion. Continue reading →

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GROWING OLD IS STILL GROWING

Posted on February 1, 2012 by stanwiedeman

People are also living longer. The life expectancy at birth in 1950 was 68.2. In 1980, it had improved to 73.7. By 2003, life expectancy figures had stretched to 77.5. Prolonged life supports another trend in the population. Baby Boomers have been merging into the elderly subgroup for seven years now. Census data from 2000 and 2010 reveals a 2.2% increase of adults 60 and over, from 16.3% to 18.5%. Projections indicate that by 2030 persons over 65 will double the number of 2000, to 72 million.

To the individual dealing with the effects of aging, statistics make little difference. A woman told me the other night that it was downhill after 60. She is 68 and maintains an active lifestyle of aerobics and yoga classes, but arthritis and worn out joints defy resistance. Hair coloring and cosmetic procedures may disguise the onset of geriatrics. Replacement parts may increase mobility. But the body wears out – more slowly for some than others, but inevitably and irreversibly. Continue reading →

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