Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Churched

Home
Evangelical

2021-09-18T07:21:45-05:00

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.

The Next Generation: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: September 18, 2021 at 7:21 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, I am writing this on a Thursday. Last night I had the incredible privilege of watching nine precious and delightful blessings. (Read: Last night I was forced to babysit nine rowdy, nose-runnin’, constant-bathroom-going children because one of the childcare solutions came down with covid.) We sang. We played. We laughed. We yelled. (Read: I made them all go outside and run off as much energy as possible while I tried – and failed – not to sweat... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2021-09-14T09:14:19-05:00

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.

More Important than Truth?

Last updated on: September 14, 2021 at 9:14 am By Matt Pearson

I am a staunch believer in truth. I believe there is absolute truth. I believe all truth is God’s truth. And, of course, I believe the Bible is truth. While I am at it, I will declare again here that I believe Jesus is the truth. But I believe there might be something more important than truth. Hang with me. . . Many (most?) who read this and hold to truth as I do, arduously hold fast to the rock-solid... Read more

Biblical Reflections

Devotions

General Challenge

2021-09-11T07:11:31-05:00

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.

Where Were You? A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: September 11, 2021 at 7:11 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, Literally seconds before I sat down to type this letter an airplane flew over my head. It is a beautiful morning in Franklin, Tennessee. When the weather is like this, I sit outside my office at our campus. Moments ago, an airplane flew over where I am sitting. I think it was a Southwest aircraft. Twenty years later I still find myself haunted by airplanes crashing into the Twin Towers in New York City. I am not... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2021-09-05T05:10:55-05:00

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.

HBD: A Special Sunday Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: September 5, 2021 at 5:10 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, If you are new to West Franklin, or regularly attend the 10:30 service you may not know him. But if you continue participating, you will soon enough. On Sunday morning’s at 9 am, he sits to the left of the stage (from where I stand) three or four rows from the front. He’s usually sitting with four or five ladies, one of which he is pretty sweet on. (And from what I hear, she’s pretty sweet on... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2021-09-04T06:53:36-05:00

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.

Just Do It: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: September 4, 2021 at 6:53 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, Last Friday I receive a text from one of you. The text read: “Hey Matt – HAPPY FRIDAY!! Random question for you. . . We are thinking about taking the kids and the grill to Waverly and doing burgers and hotdogs for whoever. Do you happen to have any contacts we can reach out to, to see where we can go?” I immediately emailed several people I thought might help, copying this person on the message. Within... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2021-08-31T06:17:29-05:00

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.

The Marriage Mirror

Last updated on: August 31, 2021 at 6:17 am By Matt Pearson

I am not sure exactly how it works. I can’t (yet) quite explain the inner dynamics of it all. But it’s true. If you’re married, your relationship with God and your relationship with your spouse are linked. After Peter gives his readers admonitions about marriage, he closes the section (specifically to husbands) by saying, “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). His point? If you aren’t careful and considerate in how you treat your spouse, conversations with... Read more

Biblical Reflections

General Challenge

2021-08-28T07:04:15-05:00

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.

Why I Can’t Watch ‘The Chosen’: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: August 28, 2021 at 7:04 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, I can’t watch the television series The Chosen. I hope you can. I hope you love it. I hope you enjoy it. I hope you learn much about the life of Jesus from viewing it. From the bit I have seen and the reviews I have read, The Chosen is an extremely well arranged, well produced, and an (mostly) accurate biblical portrayal of Jesus from the Gospels. One of my children watches it. Many of you have... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2021-08-24T08:34:22-05:00

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.

Every Which Way

Last updated on: August 24, 2021 at 8:34 am By Matt Pearson

I am hearing it from every which way. Left. Right. Up. Down. Sideways. Side door. Front door. Back door. I am sure you are too. Church members in Tennessee are asking. Church members I pastored in Arkansas and Louisiana are asking. Friends and family in Alabama are asking. “What should we do and/or think about masks and vaccines?” Or, “What’s the right thing to do here?” Or, “Bro. Matt, I don’t know what to think or who do believe! What... Read more

General Challenge

2021-08-21T06:54:53-05:00

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.

Buzzed: A Letter to West Franklin

Last updated on: August 21, 2021 at 6:54 am By Matt Pearson

West Franklin Family, Buzzed. It’s how I felt leaving a meeting this week. No, I had not been drinking anything with alcohol. No, I had not been smoking anything. And, no, I had not used any new and unique oil in any way, shape, form, or fashion. There was simply an energy on campus. There was a buzz of excitement I hadn’t felt in a while. Maybe it is because both services were full on Sunday morning and – combined... Read more

Letters to West Franklin

2021-08-17T07:45:04-05:00

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.

Getting Your Friend Back

Last updated on: August 17, 2021 at 7:45 am By Matt Pearson

Have you ever noticed how under educated Mary Magdelene and the disciples were immediately following the resurrection? Yet, similarly, have you ever noticed how full of joy they were? Stay with me. Consider how John describes these people on the first Easter morning: First, Jesus had to tell Mary not to hold on to him when she finally realized who he was in the garden. Second, when the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus, John says they were “overjoyed” when they... Read more

Biblical Reflections

Devotions

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the main lesson of the Parable of the Rich Fool?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Life does not consist in possessions Eat, drink and be merry Laziness is bad Money solves problems

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Evangelical