RIP
“Abortion is leading cause of death worldwide for third year in a row” (Christian Post 1/6) This continues to be an abomination, worse and beyond any politician.

Knowing Everything, Now
“Living in An “On Demand” World: Instant Gratification and The Perseverance of the Saints” (Pathos Evangelical, 1/14)

Not so Good
“Share of Americans who donated to religious organizations remains at all-time low: Gallup” (Christian Post, 1/12)

Christian Nationalism
“Here’s where Christian nationalism comes from, and what it gets wrong; It was religious fervor that drove the Jan. 6 mob” (Dallas Morning News op ed, 1/9) Like most things, we don’t agree with everything in this opinion piece including the subtitle’s suggestion, but it does give a brief overview of what has become known as Christian Nationalism. The author leaves out the theonomy/theocracy theologies of the kingdom in amillennial and postmillennial reformed theology. The idea that the church brings in the Kingdom, which is NOT the understanding of the authors, and our, premillennial, pretribulation background. Nowhere in the bible does it even suggest that the United States is God’s special chosen country. It has been in our historian understanding that the U.S of A is the best Nation in history (other than the theocracy of Israel) and a grand experiment. Believers can and should be thankful and have a place as citizens.  However, it is not God’s chosen nation to bring in the utopian kingdom. The mission of Christians and the church is not political, but to witness about Jesus and disciple people in His teaching.

As to the questioning of the subtitle, “Christian Nationalism” was present at the riot on 1/6/21 but one is hard pressed to prove it was the driving force, see the horned Viking outfit. Religious fervor maybe, but probably not Christian religious fervor, even the Christian Nationalistic variety. And just to be clear, we do not support the shenanigans and riot that occurred that day. Protests and assembling for redress of grievances are fine. But not trespassing, destroying, stealing, and/or violence. Anywhere.

Deconstructing
“Christian Questions Faith After Receiving Wrong Order At Chick-Fil-A” (Babylon Bee, 1/14)

Three Kings of Orent Are
“Who were the wise men?” (World Radio, 1/6)

Pray for the Church in Ukraine
“On Ukraine-Russia Border, Evangelicals Endure as Invasion Looms” (Christianity Today, 1/4) Including Dema and Maria

RIP
“Big Daddy Weave Bassist Jay Weaver Dies at 42” (Christianity Today, 1/4)
“12 Leaders Evangelicals Lost in 2021” (CT, 12/21/21)

Food For Thot
“Discipled by Algorithms; Where Is ‘Big Tech’ Leading You?” (Desiring God, 1/7) We hate to admit it, but we can get caught up especially with news and YouTube. Perhaps endeavoring to get caught up in scripture is better

Persecution World Wide
“Release International lists hotspots where Christian persecution is expected to get worse in 2022: report” (Christian Examiner, 1/3)

Chapel in the Woods Bible Church is looking for a student interested in preaching practicum in a small supportive Bible church in SW Dallas. There would be opportunity to preach one, and on occasion two times a month rotating with the lead pastor and 2 other preaching elders who are all part time.
There would also be possibilities of other pastoral, outreach, and discipleship ministries.

Chapel in the Woods has helped in the training of pastors, missionaries and youth pastors now located in many parts of the U.S. and the world.

There is a monetary stipend available as well as the possibility, depending on the circumstances, of housing on the wooded property of the church

Please contact Gregg Purviance, lead Pastor, at 214-330-9861

We Do
“Greg Laurie on SoCal Harvest, why he’s optimistic about Gen Z: ‘We need a spiritual solution'” (Christian Post, 10/01)

It’s Bad for Teens
“Facebook testifies on teen safety” (World, 9/30) “1 in 3 teens said its platforms, mainly the photo-sharing app Instagram, negatively affect their mental health.” Probably not so good for younger people either.  See more “Facebook pauses kids app development”

Follow the Science
“Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People; At Increased Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19” (CDC website, 8/16) Don’t know much biology.

Pretty Much
“True Christianity Is a Fight” (Desiring God, 9/26)

In God’s hands
“Praying for Afghanistan; Suggestions for lifting up believers facing the Taliban’s persecution” (World, 8/19) Don’t forget to pray for Haiti

We’ll get back to you
“Most Americans think they have a biblical worldview. But do they?” (Barna via CP, 8/28)

 It’s about destruction
“Karl Marx’s favorite quote” (Christian Post, 8/27) Why should we care about the present fascination with socialism? It is because it is about perishing and the state becoming god.

RIP
“Jeanne Robertson, North Carolina humorist, dies at 77” (Charlotte Observer, 8/23) The former Miss North Carolina  passed from a sudden, non-Covid illness. When we are fed up and need a laugh, we often watch a Jeanne Robertson Video. She brought tall clean humor (sort of, her last book was Don’t Bungie Jump Naked) to a world that needs a laugh, in the midst of …everything. After 3 months. she followed Dr. Left Brain to heaven.

 RIP (we hope)
“Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones’ Drummer and Inimitable Backbone, Dead at 80” (Rolling Stone, 8/24) It is said the only thing Mick Jagger and Keith Richards agreed on was liking Charlie. One of the few Rock guys married for 57 yrs.

Follow the Science
“We’re told to ‘follow the science’ — yet some of it is just plain wrong” (Washington Post, 8/26) not so much about Covid stuff, but does make one think that skepticism is the order of the day

“Large CDC Study Doesn’t Support Mask Mandates in Schools” (PJM, 8/26) We read somewhere in the last day or two that schools without mandates are seeing sickness. Humbleness, no matter ones take on all the science, mandates, vaccines and so forth, ought to shine through our character. None of us are as smart as we think we are.

Funds given for experiments using aborted baby parts

Pro-life group calls for Fauci’s firing over NIAID funding of ‘barbaric’ experiments on aborted babies

Sunday, June 6^th

11:00am, Church worship service, Praise and Worship, and continuing in Esther
See the new mitigation policies in the church buildings

Next Week we start back – Sunday Morning Discipleship at 9:30am, also back – donuts

From the Interwebz
Yes
“Is Praying Without Ceasing Even Possible?”  (Relevant Magazine, 6/3)

Don’t Hyde
“Abortions in the budget; A 2022 budget proposal from the White House eliminates longstanding pro-life protections” (World, 6/1) of course it does

Religious Freedom, India Style
“Christian doctor faces criminal charges in India for saying ‘Jesus heals’” (Christian Post, 5/31)

We Didn’t Do It
“China Denies Reports Of Bird Flu, Says There Are No Birds In China” (Babylon Bee, 6/3)

Don’t bring THAT
“John The Baptist Not Invited Back To Potluck After Bringing Locust And Honey Casserole” (Babylon Bee, 6/3)

The Chapel suggests the following guidelines

1. If you are sick, or have any of the symptoms of Covid-19 (you know what they are) please stay at home and watch the service when it is uploaded on YouTube. Also it is best to keep sick children (COVID or not) at home. If you have been exposed to any sick person with obvious Covid symptoms or has tested positive, please stay home for the recommended 10 day period. (Exposed = 15 minutes or more, at 6’ or less in one day)

2.Masks are recommended but optional inside the buildings. Masks are available at the entrance

4. Please respect other people’s personal space

5. If you wish to sanitize your hands, hand sanitizer is at the entrance of the building. Or sing Jesus Loves Me while washing your hands with soap and water.

6. Disinfectant wipes are available to wipe the metal parts of the seats if you so desire, or other surfaces.

Sunday May 30^th 2021

Church Service at 11:00am Praise, Worship and a look at Esther 3-4

 Happy Memorial Day Weekend

 Interwebz stuff
Don’t Let Anyone Look Down on Your Youth
“How a teenage girl started a Bible revolution” (Christian Post, 5/28)

 Like Most All Viruses We Know About?
“Hard-won immunity; Vaccines are getting all the attention, but recovered COVID patients are also helping win the battle against COVID-19”  (World 5/25)

Emotional Control
“Why You Really Need to Stop Letting Your Emotions Control You” (Relevant, 5/28)

Sunday 5/23/2021

Worship 11:00am. Praise, Prayer and Exposition. Continuing our series in Esther – 1-2

Picnic after the service BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) Hot grill will be available to cook if you like

A few Webby things

They will
“43% of millennials ‘don’t know, don’t care, don’t believe’ God exists: study” (Christian Post, 5/19)

Skynet Smiles
“Skyborg combat drone’s “brain” flies for the first time” (New Atlas, 5/15)

Follow the Science
“A transitioning debate; Concerns grow internationally about dangerous transgender treatments—but the U.S. medical establishment charges on” (World, 5/14) It is bad enough for adults, for minors it is child abuse