How Should Christians Practice Santa Claus?
Christians, Christmas, and Santa Claus. And Elf on the Shelf, the Easter Bunny, and More… SHHHHHHHHH! Don’t tell the kids…but, Santa...
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Shepherding Thoughts
by Pastor Ben Francis
Welcome to Shepherding Thoughts: An inside look at a Southern Baptist Pastor's comments on navigating popular topics in Christianity and Religion.
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Ben Francis
- Nov 13
- 7 min
The Priority of Sunday Christian Worship
Is Sunday morning Church important? With the rising list of activities and committments facing us today, is gathering with our Church...
139 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Sep 21
- 7 min
How God is Saving Me from Preaching
Thoughts from a growing Pastor-Shepherd… I'm a Pastor-Shepherd, and I preach and teach every week; multiple times each week. And by God’s...
353 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Sep 7
- 9 min
Why I'm Starting a PhD…
Well, now you know. I’m starting a PhD. I noted toward the end of last year that I was working on a large project that would take up some...
417 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Sep 5
- 10 min
How do We Actually Experience God’s Sovereignty?
Sovereignty: God’s absolute and unquestioned control over every single detail of creation, including our lives and choices. So, how do we...
92 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Aug 5
- 11 min
The "Secret" Mission of the American Library Association.
Are Public Libraries becoming Social Engines for the LGBTQ Agenda? How to use this post. If you would like to read a synopsis of this...
201 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Jul 20
- 15 min
The Unique Grief of Miscarriage and the hope and help of Jesus Christ.
We recently lost our daughter to miscarriage. It happened somewhere in the 10-14 week range of the pregnancy. My dear friend summed up...
612 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Jul 10
- 9 min
An Open Letter to the Person County Library, and Person County Government from her Pastor-Shepherds.
An Open Letter to the Person County Library, and Person County Government from her Local Pastor-Shepherds. On behalf of the members of...
1,201 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Jul 5
- 6 min
Boys Need Strong Chested Men.
“It’s easier to bleed than to sweat.” - Flannery O’Connor I was reminded last night that boys don't become men on their own. Not that I...
81 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Jun 27
- 3 min
The Virtues of Masculinity
It's not popular to be manly anymore. It's not even popular to be a man anymore. More and more, men (and the larger culture) are...
125 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Jun 19
- 12 min
The 2023 Southern Baptist Convention: In Review
The 2023 Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana June 13-14, has now come and gone. My first comment is: New...
423 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- May 31
- 5 min
What I’m Reading: April-May 2023
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of...
58 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- May 25
- 5 min
2023 Southern Baptist Convention: A Preview
In just a few weeks, the Southern Baptist Convention will gavel itself into session in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a reminder, the...
143 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- May 23
- 4 min
Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World
A Review I am thankful for Eliza Huie and the folks at the Biblical Counseling Coalition. They are producing some great work in really...
61 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- May 16
- 7 min
Parents: Don't Give Your Kids a Smartphone...
We are living in a day and age that revolves around technology, especially smartphones. Our days are filled with them: Tasks, jobs,...
109 views1 comment
Ben Francis
- Apr 30
- 3 min
Minnesota Oversteps: Christian Parents Beware...
Trans Rights and the Loss of Parental Authority The Transgender Revolution marches on… “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. Not...
94 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Apr 28
- 8 min
What Does it Mean to Be Pastored?
Life in the Local Church Belonging to a local Church of the Lord Jesus Christ entails all sorts of things: Membership, fellowship,...
196 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Apr 15
- 8 min
A Lament for the Hard Things: The Joy of Pastoral Ministry; A Follow-Up…
When I sat down to write the previous post, “A Lament for the Hard Things,” my goal was to share a tangible illustration of what I had...
114 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Apr 11
- 5 min
A Lament for the Hard Things…
A Day in the Life of a Pastor-Shepherd... Pastor-Shepherds occupy a unique position in that they get to share in the various life...
244 views0 comments
Ben Francis
- Apr 4
- 8 min
What's Shaping My Life?
This question lodged itself in my mind during our Sunday morning Bible study. "Are Christians in danger of living in a delusion?" We were...
56 views0 comments
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