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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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The Big Problem with #JudasAteToo
Celebrating Judas… Judas has really seen himself revived and repackaged as of late. He’s become a dark horse hero of sorts for a portion...
Ben Francis
Apr 165 min read
561 views
0 comments
10 Reasons Why Church is Important
Is church important? The answer is " Yes ." But each of us answers that question as much with our actions as we do with our words. But...
Ben Francis
Apr 95 min read
118 views
0 comments
Do Church Members Have Responsibilities?
What does it mean to be a Church member? What is required of those who join a local Church in covenant church membership? Are there...
Ben Francis
Feb 55 min read
106 views
0 comments
Why American Christians Can No Longer Vote for Democrats.
For much of American political history, American citizens have shared a common worldview, which led to basic agreement on a great many...
Ben Francis
Oct 22, 20245 min read
557 views
0 comments
Walking Our Wives through the Valley of Miscarriage: An Encouragement to Husbands
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they...
Ben Francis
Sep 9, 20247 min read
1,155 views
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Give us Preachers, not Shepherds!
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do...
Ben Francis
Jul 12, 20246 min read
135 views
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How God Decorates our Lives
“Sunday morning worship is a Saturday night decision.” Maybe you’ve heard that saying before, or maybe you’ve said it yourself. And it's...
Ben Francis
Jul 2, 20247 min read
95 views
0 comments
Pastor Ben's Reading List: A Guide for Christians, Bible Students, Pastors, Parents, and More.
I’ve put this list of resources together for Christians, Church ministry leaders, Sunday School teachers and small groups leaders,...
Ben Francis
Mar 27, 20248 min read
608 views
0 comments
10 Lessons about Church I've learned from the Gym…
I go to the gym 5 days a week (most weeks anyhow). I do it for several reasons, but mostly for my own personal well-being. Caring for the...
Ben Francis
Mar 1, 20246 min read
179 views
0 comments
A Pastoral Guide to Preparing for a Funeral.
**Note, this post is written in view of North Carolina Law.** Funeral planning comes during some of the most difficult moments of our...
Ben Francis
Feb 15, 202410 min read
134 views
0 comments
Developing a Christian Political Worldview
The 2024 political season will be tumultuous. It already is. That much is a given. Lots will be said and written…and probably thrown. For...
Ben Francis
Feb 10, 20242 min read
68 views
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Our Responsibilities in Baptizing Our Children
In Matthew 19:13-14, we read these words, “Then children were brought to Him that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples...
Ben Francis
Jan 26, 20248 min read
193 views
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Male and Female He Created Them: The Bible and Homosexuality
The issue of homosexuality confronts Christians everywhere we look today. Our twenty-first century culture is inundated with the full...
Ben Francis
Dec 26, 202311 min read
145 views
0 comments
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...
Ben Francis
Nov 20, 202313 min read
876 views
2 comments
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...
Ben Francis
Nov 13, 20237 min read
219 views
0 comments
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...
Ben Francis
Sep 21, 20237 min read
361 views
0 comments
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...
Ben Francis
Sep 5, 202310 min read
108 views
0 comments
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...
Ben Francis
Jul 20, 202315 min read
652 views
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Making Boys Into Men
“It’s easier to bleed than to sweat.” - Flannery O’Connor I was reminded recently that boys don't become men on their own. "Maleness...
Ben Francis
Jul 5, 20239 min read
196 views
0 comments
The Virtues of Masculinity
It's not popular to be manly anymore. It's not even popular to be a man. More and more, our culture is coming to reject manliness. And...
Ben Francis
Jun 27, 20233 min read
241 views
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