Author: Texas Gospel

God told me…

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

There are three words that I think are thrown around too often today. They are “God told me.”

I’ve had people tell me that God told them a certain politician would win an election or that God revealed some secret to them. One man told me years ago that God revealed to him that he would own the radio station at which I worked.  None of these things came to pass.

Deuteronomy tells us something I would think is obvious: if what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place…that is a message the Lord has not spoken. And 2 Peter has a stern warning for those who falsely proclaim things in the name of God.

Do you keep on guard for those who appear to be speaking God’s word, but only deceive others, and quite possibly themselves as well?

Church News weekend report

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Jeff Turner

Reports of vandalism and acts of aggression against the Church in North America have been light this week.

A project to rebuild a church building destroyed by arson in British Columbia may be complete as early as June.  The rebuild of Murray Church in Merritt has been slowed because of COVID-19 restrictions. The man accused of intentionally setting fire to the structure and two other houses of worship is awaiting trial. The court has issued a publication band on any specifics of the case.

Three statues at the Holy Rosary Church in Woodland, California were vandalized this week.  No property was taken, and the motive – if any -behind the vandalism is not known. The Holy Rosary Church has been part of the Woodland community for more than 150 years.

A vandal or vandals set fire to a shrine in Ludlow, Massachusetts on Friday.  A spokesperson for Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Ludlow said damage was limited to an arch over a statue of Mary.

A Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue has been restored at St. Patrick Cathedral in El Paso, TX after a year’s work to repair $25,000 in damage caused by vandal. The Police last year charged Isiah Cantrell, 31, with vandalism and drug possession shortly after the crime.

That’s a look at crimes against the church in North America this week

Distinguished scientist and Christian author John Polkinghorne dies aged 90

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Floyd Rogers

I never met The Rev Canon John Polkinghorne.  The first time I encountered his name was in a college philosophy textbook, one I was surprised to find still listed for sale online. Today as I read his obituary (More than a month after his death,) I feel a sense of regret having never met the man. I would love to have talked to him about his unique life path.

Dr. Polkinghorne was a Professor of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge from 1968 until 1979.  His published works include titles such as The Analytic S-Matrix (1966,) The Particle Play (1979,) Models of High Energy (1980,) and 31 others.  But he resigned his position in the physics world to become an Anglican priest, though he remained an Honorary Fellow of the college until his death.

His worldview stood as a testament against the claims of some atheist writers who insist there is some barrier between science and Christianity.  Polkinghorne saw no barrier.  He believed, as other people of science believe, that advances in his field made it easier to believe in God.  It is also the reason I felt it appropriate to make this post about his death on the website of a Southern and Country Gospel radio station.  The purpose of the station is to encourage Christians in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to our faith. To that end, I hope highlighting Polkinghorne’s life (and others throughout the year) will shed light on the false idea that one must make a choice between following God or studying His creation.  Polkinghorne’s words illuminated this idea in the mind of a much younger me years ago as a college student. I hope his words will continue to do the same for others.

 John Polkinghorne was 90.

Amazing Grace by Dolly Parton could become state song in Tennessee

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Jeff Turner

The state House of Tennessee has honored Dolly Parton, who was born in Tennessee, by passing a bill that if signed by the Governor would make “Amazing Grace” sung by Dolly Parton the official state song.

State Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smynra) introduced HB 0938 in February.  State Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) introduced SB 1416.  The house bill passed 91-1 on Monday. If the bill makes it all the way through the legislative process the song would become the eighth designated state song of Tennessee.

The General Assembly on Monday also adopted a resolution recognizing Parton for her, “cultural contributions and philanthropy.”