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2022-04-16T06:13:41-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bemoaning Easter 2020: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: April 16, 2022 at 6:13 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, Tomorrow morning, God willing, we will gather for Easter Sunday services like we used to. You know, before we were quarantined or masked or separated by six feet. Tomorrow should feel like a “normal” Easter Sunday. He is Risen! I can’t wait. I bought a new shirt and coat for the occasion. Three services. Newly renovated sanctuary. Pretty dresses. Pastel shirts. Smiles. Hugs. Singing. Praying. Preaching. Earlier this week I commiserated with friends about what we “had”... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2022-04-12T08:47:26-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Noticing the Unnoticeable on Holy Tuesday

Last updated on: April 12, 2022 at 8:47 am By Matt Pearson

Tuesday of Holy Week has been referred to as “Entrapment Tuesday.” Knowing the religious leaders are seeking to trap Him, on Holy Tuesday Jesus used a lot of words to teach, rebuke, warn, and challenge. In Mark’s version of the events that transpired that day, Jesus implored the disciples to do one thing in the months and years to come. In at least seven different ways, Jesus begged the disciples to watch. To look. To be alert. To be on... Read more

Biblical Reflections

Devotions

2022-04-09T05:55:15-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Holy Week: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: April 9, 2022 at 5:55 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, Tomorrow morning we will gather on the first day of Holy Week. The week named for the final days leading to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The week that included real events that changed the course of history. Events that changed the eternal fate of every believing human. Events that still change our lives on a continuous basis to this day. Holy. Beautiful. Excruciating. Dark. Light. Night. Day. Pain. Exhilaration. Holy Week. I strongly encourage you to... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2022-04-06T07:46:58-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Second Dates, Library Fines, and Doing Good

Last updated on: April 6, 2022 at 7:46 am By Matt Pearson

Have you ever noticed how your actions change when you feel safe? It’s true. We behave different when we truly believe we have nothing to lose. I met my wife (Katie) on a blind date set up by my first cousin. The three of us went to eat dinner at a sub shop in Auburn, Alabama. I enjoyed the hour or so we were together but didn’t think it would go much further. Katie was (still is!) beautiful, but we... Read more

General Challenge

2022-04-02T05:20:57-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Different Church, Same Address: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: April 2, 2022 at 5:20 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, I’ve heard Mike Glenn say on numerous occasions that he has pastored several different churches at the same address. He means that Brentwood Baptist has morphed into a different church multiple times during his 30 year tenure as senior pastor. Prior to coming to West Franklin, I pastored three churches. Friendship Baptist in Amite, Louisiana for almost five years. Wynne Baptist Church in Wynne, Arkansas for nearly eight years. And First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2022-03-26T06:33:56-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Lent, Judge Jackson, and Relief: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: March 26, 2022 at 6:33 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, We Baptist’s are pretty good at celebrating Christmas and Easter. The other parts of the Christian calendar? Well, if you’re like me, a bit of education wouldn’t hurt. For instance, did you know according to the Christian calendar we are currently smack dab in the middle of Lent? Now. I get it. Most of us associate Lent with the Catholic faith and other denominations. At least I do. But what if the six weeks between Ash Wednesday... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2022-03-22T17:08:01-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Success

Last updated on: March 22, 2022 at 5:08 pm By Matt Pearson

“. . . the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day. . . Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” (2 Timothy 4:6-10) The Spirit... Read more

Biblical Reflections

Devotions

2022-03-19T06:48:35-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Big Wad over Little Things: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: March 19, 2022 at 6:48 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, I don’t know about other married couples, but for Katie and I – our major arguments are over little things. The big, important things? If we do have disagreements, they’re small. The tiny, little, unimportant things? For some reason we tend to get all worked up in a big wad. I should clarify – I get in a big wad over the little things. I can’t explain why. The harder I try to figure out what “triggers”... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2022-03-12T08:07:51-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Two Years: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: March 12, 2022 at 8:07 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, This time two years ago, all of our worlds were being rocked by a virus. We were pushing people out of the way at Costco to secure toilet paper. We were buying masks and assuming the pandemic would be over by Spring Break. We were already ready for our kids to go back to school. I sent my first Saturday letter to you two years ago – March 21, 2020. TWO YEARS! It was the Saturday before... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2022-03-08T17:37:48-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

If You Want Fair, You Won’t Like Jesus

Last updated on: March 8, 2022 at 5:37 pm By Matt Pearson

“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” (John 8:11) How you interpret Jesus’s words to this guilty-of-adultery-yet-not-condemned woman reveals much about your understanding of grace. What do you think He means when He says, “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore”? Does it bother you that He doesn’t say more? Do you assume He is telling her to get her act together, or else? Would Jesus’s answer change if... Read more

Biblical Reflections

Devotions

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