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Home Archives for Christianity and Faith

11/19/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

What I’m Thankful For #12: Daily Bread

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. During the most famous prayer He taught His disciples, the Savior urged us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." As we look ahead to more challenging economic times, this admonition may become more meaningful for many Americans. God promises His children that He will provide for their needs on a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: admonition, Americans, challenging economic times, children, daily bread, disciples, faith, God, gratitude, physical needs, Savior, spiritual needs, strive, thankfulness

11/18/2008 By Ben 2 Comments

What I’m Thankful for #11: Loyal Friends Over Long Distances

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. Don't worry. The purpose of this post is not to attempt to seek a definition of "Friendship" or to categorize the different varieties and permutations of friends I have, as Joseph Epstein sought to do. Instead, I just wanted to briefly and publicly state my gratitude for the friends I have gained … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Commemorative, General, My Life Tagged With: college, conversation, deep kinship, definition, edify, email, enhance, friends, friendship, gratitude, high school, humorous, Iron sharpens iron, Joseph Epstein, letter, life, long distances, loyal, omission, permutations, phone, Proverbs, separations, serious, short list, spices and flavors, thankfulness, varieties

11/17/2008 By Ben 4 Comments

What I’m Thankful for #10: The Undeniable Beauty of God’s Creation

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. Living in Colorado, it may be a bit harder than most to take the natural beauty around us for granted. But it can happen. The plethora of mountain vistas practically in our backyard and the numerous days of rich blue, sunny skies would make it difficult for me ever to leave the Centennial State. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: beauty, Bible, blogger, Bob Agard, Centennial State, cloudy days, Colorado, creation, day-hikes, God, Michigan, mountain vistas, Psalm 19, sunny skies, thankfulness, Thanksgiving season

11/16/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful for #9: Even the Surprises God Sends My Way

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. It's only fitting that I wasn't planning to write this one at all, much less for this weekend. But then, Friday afternoon I wasn't planning for a failed fuel pump and fuel gauge to bring my car to a halt on the way home from work yesterday, nor for the mechanic's tab that followed. Not easy to be thankful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: Bible, car, chastise, Christ-like character, circumstances, Denver Post, difficult, dire, faithfulness, fuel gauge, fuel pump, impatient attitude, Job, matter of faith, mechanic, nice treat, op-ed, our good, promises, publication, repairs, selfishness, surprises, thankfulness, tow truck, weekend, wife

11/13/2008 By Ben 2 Comments

What I’m Thankful For #7: The Lovely Mrs. Virtus

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. I have the historian's uncanny memory for dates. In an unusual role reversal, I was the one who pointed out to my wife the other day that today (November 13) is the 10th anniversary of when this poor schlep finally got the nerve to ask and our committed dating relationship began. Engagement and marriage … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: anniversary, arranged, best friend, blessed, blessed match, complement, conscience, dates, decade, engagement, fool, genuine, gifts, God, God's grace, help-meet, historian, honest, immaturity, laughs, man, marriage, Mrs. Virtus, not funny, patient, praising, prayer partner, role reversal, sensitivities, spiritual growth, strengths, tenderhearted, thankfulness, thoughtful, thrifty, uncanny memory, unique, warm, weaknesses, wife

11/12/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful For #6: A Great God Who Gives (Many) Second Chances

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. As a fallen creature bent on sinning, I deserve to be punished. God has every just right in the universe to count my sins and failures against me. The psalmist of thousands of years ago understood this well: Psalm 130:3-4 "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: Bible, characterized, divine attributes, earth, fallen creature, God, God's forgiveness, God's mercy, grateful, just right, license, meditation, presumptuous living, provided, Psalm 130:3-4, psalmist, punishment, second chances, sin, thankfulness, theological depths, universe

11/11/2008 By Ben 2 Comments

Reasonable, Principled Compromise Needed to Rebuild GOP Coalition

Lately I've struggled for the time and energy to put together some coherent thoughts about what the GOP needs to do to rebuild. Jim Manzi at The Corner said it almost perfectly for me. You need to read the whole post, but here is a key excerpt:While it is always possible to imagine some arbitrary configuration of 51% of voters who have the label “conservative”, Rod’s point [ed: that "no conservative movement that hopes to be successful can do so without religious conservatives"] strikes me as correct as a practical matter. Further, more important than the question of electoral advantage, is the fact that tens of millions of citizens have deeply held beliefs that should be considered in making and enforcing the law. I also believe … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, Fiscal Policy, General, National Politics Tagged With: abortion, abortion debate, almost perfectly, bleak future, coalition, conservative movement, debates, federal funding, federal government, federal law, federalism, fools, gay marriage, good faith, humble, Jim Manzi, libertarians, liberty, life, limited government, local government, national consensus, National Review, Planned Parenthood, pro-life agenda, rallying cry, religious conservatives, Religious Right, Republican Party, Roe decision, social issues, states, strategy, The Corner, thumbnail analysis, tolerate, workable compromise

11/11/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful for #5: The Sacrifices of Our Nation’s Many Heroes

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. This was the logical choice for a deep expression of gratitude on Veterans' Day. It's a good time to recognize the millions who have worn the uniform, who have served in peacetime or war to defend our nation. God has given us liberty, but it is the brave members of our military who have fought to preserve … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Commemorative, General, World Events Tagged With: Afghanistan, Alamo, Belleau Wood, Blue, brave, Bull Run, Chosun Reservoir, Doughboys, Europe, G.I.s, Gettysburg, gratitude, Gray, Ia Drang Valley, Iraq, Iwo Jima, liberate, liberty, Marines, military, nation, New Orleans, peacetime, Saratoga, Shiloh, Tet Offensive, thankfulness, ultimate sacrifice, uniform, Valley Forge, Veterans' Day, war

11/10/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

Disturbing Story: Leftist Group Attacks Michigan Church Service

This story coming out of my home state of Michigan is more than a little disturbing:A gay anarchist group infiltrated the Mt. Hope Church in Eaton County Sunday morning, disrupting a service by pulling a fire alarm, dropping leaflets and yelling at parishioners, a pastor said. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Cultural Conservatism, General Tagged With: Blue Collar Muse, Christ, church members, church service, churches, civilized society, congregation, counseling, crisis intervention, disgusted, disturbing, Eaton County, equivalent, evangelical, fallen soldier, fire alarm, freedom, gay anarchist group, hatemongers, human life, leaflets, Left-wing, liberals, love the sinner, medical emergencies, Michigan, ministries, Mount Hope Church, obscenities, orphanages, parishioners, pastor, prayer, prison ministry, profane banner, Right Michigan, right wing establishment, ringleader, sanctity of marriage, schools, support groups, uglier picture, volunteer work, Westboro Baptist Church

11/10/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

What I’m Thankful for #4: Spiritual Mentors

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. When you're young and foolish - well, you're young and foolish. The spiritual influence of my parents (the topic of a future thankfulness post) was real, but wouldn't suffice by itself. I am thankful for the influence of non-family spiritual mentors during my teenage, college, and young adult years. I can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life Tagged With: admonished, counseled, foolish, life, parents, pastors, spiritual mentors, teenage years, thankful, young

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Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

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