Actor Tom Selleck Credits God for Guiding Him Throughout Life

Actor Tom Selleck Credits God for Guiding Him Throughout Life


Actor Tom Selleck told BeliefNet that his success is because of his faith in Jesus. 

According to CBN News, Selleck said God has guided him over the years.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps,” he said. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”

Selleck had originally planned to work for United Airlines after college. His acting work started when he appeared in a few commercials. Twentieth Century Fox even offered him an acting contract, but he said God called him to serve in the U.S. Army.

He served in the California National Guard in the 160th infantry regiment from 1967 to 1973.

“I am a veteran, I’m proud of it. I was a sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry, National Guard, Vietnam era. We’re all brothers and sisters in that sense.”

After his time in the army, he went to Hollywood to begin acting again. He soon landed the lead role of Magnum, P.I.

The show ran from 1980 to 1988. It consistently ranked in the top 20 of U.S. television shows during its first five years, according to Nielsen Ratings.

“As good as this business has been to me, that’s not what life is about,” he said. “Life is about more important things. You know, we’ve all struggled as we get successful in this business to balance that, I certainly have.”

Selleck also volunteers with the National Guard to promote recruitment and support. He is also the…

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How to keep our New Year’s resolutions: Seven science-based strategies and three biblical principles

We can blame—or thank—the Babylonians. Four thousand years ago, they began a twelve-day religious festival known as Akitu, in which they focused on celebrating the coming of the new year.

During this festival, they made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return objects they had borrowed. If they kept these promises, their gods would favor them, or so they believed. If they did not, they would face the gods’ wrath. 

From the ancient Babylonians, we inherited the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Though without the fear of divine judgment, I presume. 

Seven science-based strategies 

Researchers say about 60 percent of us make resolutions each new year. That’s a remarkable figure. It’s higher than the percentage of Americans who vote in presidential elections or the percentage of Americans ages eighteen and older who are married

However, researchers report that only about 8 percent of us are successful at keeping the resolutions we make. How can we do better? Here are seven science-based strategies

  • Pick a theme for your year based on what changes would make you happiest, then develop habits during the year to fulfill it.
  • Enhance habits by identifying what motivates them and finding better ways to meet that underlying need.
  • Begin forming a habit by working on it for only two minutes, then gradually increase your commitment.
  • Identify a positive, intrinsic reward (such as renewed energy or a feeling of peace) to reinforce positive actions and habits.
  • Modify your environment—post reminders of your plans, remove temptations, and spend time with people who share your goals.
  • Make a recovery plan for dealing with temptations and failures.
  • Celebrate often since such behavior reinforces good habits and encourages the brain to seek more opportunities to engage in them.

All good advice. But since we are fallen people, we are still likely to fall. Let’s end the year by considering three biblical resolutions…

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Six Things I Pray I Won’t Do as a Senior Adult in My Church

Podcast Episode #602

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For Thom, it’s a present reality, for Sam it’s a prayer for the future. Listen as Thom and Sam discuss the attitudes each pray to avoid as senior adults in the church.

Highlights:

  1. Have an entitled attitude because of my giving to the church
  2. Say “I’ve done my time”
  3. Focus more on recreation than serving
  4. Complain
  5. Be more concerned about my preferences than the needs of others
  6. Lose my zeal for evangelism

Other highlights:

  • As a senior adult with discretionary income, give joyfully with no strings attached.
  • There is always a role for servants regardless of age. 
  • For a senior adult with health issues, the role of prayer warrior is one way to stay connected to the church body. 
  • Once you become preference driven, it is easier to become a complainer in the church.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.


The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The…

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Justin Bieber Says ‘God Has Me Right Where He Wants Me’ on Cusp of New Album Release

Justin Bieber Says ‘God Has Me Right Where He Wants Me’ on Cusp of New Album Release


On Christmas Eve, pop megastar Justin Bieber delivered some long-anticipated news that delighted his legions of loyal fans: he will be releasing a new album in 2020. In a video introducing his latest project – a first release in five years – Bieber teased a new song, “Yummy,” and even spoke openly about his faith.

“As humans, we are imperfect. My past, my mistakes, all the things that I’ve been through, I believe that I’m right where I’m supposed to be and God has me right where he wants me,” the singer said in the video. “I feel like this is different than the previous albums just because of where I’m at in my life. I’m excited to perform it and to tour it. We all have different stories… I’m just excited to share mine.”

Bieber has become increasingly open about his faith in recent years, often posting about his experiences with God on Instagram.

“Even when the odds are against you keep fighting,” the “Purpose” singer wrote in an Instagram post on September 2. “Jesus loves you. Be kind today…be bold today… and love people not by your standards but by God’s perfect unfailing love.”

Earlier, in August, Bieber even led worship at a church in LA.

“Sang at church last night,” he wrote on Instagram following the service. “God is pulling me through a hard season. Having trust in Jesus at your worst times is the absolute…

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California Cities Add ‘In God We Trust’ Decals to Police Cars, Sending ‘Strong Statement’

California Cities Add ‘In God We Trust’ Decals to Police Cars, Sending ‘Strong Statement’


An outgoing California mayor is standing behind the addition of “In God We Trust” decals to the city’s police cars, calling it one of the council’s biggest accomplishments of the year. 

The Delano (Calif.) City Council voted 3-1 in April to add the stickers to the city’s patrol cars. In June, Bakersfield’s City Council followed Delano’s lead and voted 4-2 to add “In God We Trust” stickers to its police and fire vehicles. Both cities are located within Kern County, Calif.

“Delano has a strong faith-based background and I admire the show of support to place the ‘In God we trust’ motto on our Delano Police vehicles this year with the support of our community,” Delano Mayor Joe Aguirre told The Record newspaper this month. “We have so much to be proud of and so much to get done … and with the grace of God, we will get it done.”

The decals are paid for by private donations. 

Several county pastors were behind the movement.

“We think this will set a precedent that will hopefully catch on in other cities. We want every city in our county to follow Delano’s lead,” David Vivas, a pastor with World Harvest International Church, said earlier this year. “This sends a strong statement to the community.” 

The decals are constitutional, Vivas said. “In God We Trust” is the national motto.

“As a patriotic American, I believe it…

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Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence Quotes Ephesians 3:20 after Win – It’s ‘Him within Us’

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence Quotes Ephesians 3:20 after Win – It’s ‘Him within Us’


Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence says he relied on Scripture during his team’s last-second victory in the College Football Playoff semifinals Saturday.

The No. 3 Tigers edged No. 2 Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl thanks in part to Lawrence’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Travis Etienne with 1:49 left.   

After the game, Lawrence told a national audience that he relied on a Bible verse – Ephesians 3:20 – written on his left wristband.

“I have Ephesians 3:20 and it says, ‘God can do immeasurably more than any of us can because of Him within us.’ And that’s just so true,” Lawrence said, paraphrasing the verse. “Me, what we did tonight – it ain’t us. It’s about this program and who we are. And just our brand.”

Clemson trailed 23-21 with 3:07 left when Lawrence led the Tigers on a four-play, 94-yard touchdown drive. Asked what he told his teammates before the drive, Lawrence said, “Let’s go win it. We were built for this.”

Lawrence – who finished seventh in this year’s Heisman Trophy voting – is known for his Christian faith. His Twitter bio reads, “Pursuing Him at all costs.” In 2018, he told media members, “I put my identity in what Christ says, who He thinks I am and who I know that He says I am.” 

“Football is important to me, obviously, but it is not my life,” he said in 2018. “It is not like the biggest thing…

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Texas Church Shooting Leaves 2 Churchgoers Dead

Texas Church Shooting Leaves 2 Churchgoers Dead


Two churchgoers were killed on Sunday when a gunman entered a Texas church and opened fire. The gunman was also killed after armed parishioners returned fire.

According to local news station KIRO 7, more than 240 parishioners were gathered inside West Freeway Church of Christ near Fort Worth, Texas, when a gunman began firing upon them. The gunman shot two members of the church before two members of the church’s security team drew their own weapons killing the shooter. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told the Associated Press that the church security team “responded quickly and within six seconds, the shooting was over.” He added, “Two of the parishioners who were volunteers of the security force drew their weapons and took out the killer immediately, saving [an] untold number of lives.”

According to MedStar spokeswoman Macara Trusty, the gunman and one victim were initially pronounced dead at the hospital. Dallas Morning News reports that after going into cardiac arrest en route to a hospital, the shooter’s second victim was initially resuscitated. Unfortunately, later that evening, news stations reported that the second victim, too, had died.

Authorities have yet to release the names of the shooter or the victims, though one family member told NBC 5 affiliate KXAS-TV that her father was one of the victims killed.

Tiffany Wallace recalled the moment she noticed her father, Anton “Tony” Wallace, had been…

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Transgender Worker Sues Nike for $1.1M over Use of Wrong Pronouns

Transgender Worker Sues Nike for $1.1M over Use of Wrong Pronouns


A former Nike employee who identifies as “transmasculine” filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the company last week, claiming gender identity-based harassment due to the use of wrong pronouns.

Jazz Lyles was a computer engineer at Nike from May 2017 to September 2018 and was often “misgendered” by employees, according to the lawsuit. Lyles prefers the pronouns “they/them/their,” according to CBS News.

“When someone refuses to acknowledge a person’s gender identity or insists on referring to them by a gender to which they do not identify (called misgendering), this causes real and significant harm,” the complaint says, according to CBS News. “This is particularly true when a person is misgendered repeatedly on a daily basis.”

Lyles, the suit says, was given the responsibility of educating fellow employees about the preferred pronouns. One co-worker refused to use the preferred pronouns due to religious reasons. Another worker allegedly said, “I know I’m not supposed to call you ‘she-male.” Still, another worker did not want to work with Lyles. 

“Nike allegedly fostered a ‘boys-club ‘jock mentality’ work culture that was hostile to people who do not fit gender stereotypes, which the complaint said is contrary to the progressive reputation the sporting goods company enjoys with the public,” CBS News reported.

Lyles reported the incidents to Nike, which often…

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Shooter in Texas church kills two: What Hanukkah teaches us about the presence and provision of God

Gunfire broke out yesterday morning during worship services at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas.

A gunman shot two people before two members who are part of the church security team shot him. The gunman and one of his victims died at the hospital. A second victim was resuscitated on the way to the hospital but died later. 

One of the victims, Anton “Tony” Wallace, was a husband, father, grandfather, and registered nurse. His daughter said, “You don’t think it’s going to hit home and the fact that it hit our home and someone that supports us and loves us and is our dad [is gone], that’s what hurts the most.” 

China intends to rewrite the Bible 

Attacks on Christians are escalating worldwide. For example, more than a thousand Christians have been killed in Nigeria this year. One believer said, “Our home is destroyed. The hospital was burnt. They tried to burn the roof of the church by piling up the chairs, like a bonfire. Life is frightening.” 

Ideological pressure is being brought against our faith as well. For instance, China intends to rewrite the Bible to reflect its Communist ideology. The Committee for Ethnic Affairs has announced a “comprehensive evaluation of the existing religious classics aiming at contents which do not conform to the progress of the times.” 

According to reports, “Jesus Christ’s parables” will have to fall “in line with the Communist Party, failing which they run the risk of being purged from the bibles [sic] available to the faithful.” 

Religious persecution is not limited to Christians. Communist officials in China are targeting the Qur’an and Buddhist texts for revisions as well. And anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York City are up 50 percent this year. Assaults on Jews nationally are up 105 percent over last year. Especially horrifying was the stabbing attack Saturday night that left five Hasidic Jews…

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Seven Trends for Churches in 2020

By Thom S. Rainer 

Offering trends are a worthless exercise if they have no connection to reality.

For over 15 years, I have suggested trends in churches that may become movements of reality. On an occasional basis, I review all of my prognostications to see if they came close to reality in just a few years forward. So far, my prediction accuracy rate has been almost 90 percent, depending on how long you allow the trend to become a reality. For me, three years is the timeframe by which I usually judge my accuracy.

To be clear, I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Not close. But because we receive voluminous amounts of information from churches at Church Answers, I am able to see thousands of “dots.” I am then able to connect those dots and often see a trend in the making.

My list is not exhaustive but, as we head into 2020, I see seven major trends developing. They are likely to change the landscape of churches in the next few years.

  1. Worship sizes will grow significantly smaller. Please don’t mistake this trend to be synonymous with attendance decline. Even in growing churches, we are likely to see smaller worship gatherings. The growing churches will obviously have more services, venues, and sites. This trend is congruent with the next trend.
  1. There will be a significant increase in the number of worship services offered at times other than Sunday morning. In most communities, one-third of the workforce has to work on Sunday morning. That number includes some of your most…

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