Steve's Thoughts & Observations

Thoughts & Observations

If going to church twice on Sunday, once on Wednesday, and once on Friday is too much God, what will heaven be? Just a thought.
If prayer works in times of need, why wouldn't it work when things are going well? Just a thought.

Our society has chosen to run after riches. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things continues to choke the Word into an unfruitful state. But is the church exempt from these perils? I would observe an emphatic NO! One of the results of the run for riches is the cost to our children. Family News in Focus, a ministry of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, CO, reports that a newly-released study in the scientific journal Child Development links the number of hours children spend in day care to the level of behavior problems they have later in life. Perhaps society as a whole and definitely the church in particular should reassess our needs and wants, stop running after riches, and put the children first. Click the links below to read the whole article from Focus on the Family and the news release from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development regarding the study. (Monday, July 21, 2003)

A recent phenomena within our society is the prevalent diagnosis of children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), particularly boys. The Philadelphia Inquirer recently ran an article dealing with the problems of this disorder, both gaining support for those who have it and the backfiring of the label itself. The article notes that "...increasingly, experts worry that the diagnosis stains a child's records and poisons his self-esteem. Once they become known as "ADD," kids often find themselves stigmatized, marginalized and pathologized." The article goes on to say that "Overall, the educational system is ignoring the problem." My observation is that it is of the utmost importance that you the parent stay involved and do not simply trust the school system--administrators or teachers--to do what is best for your child. On the one hand, your child may have the disorder and not receive the appropriate attention. On the other hand, your child may be labeled with the disorder and actually not have it but me marked for life by it. Parents: STAY INVOLVED! Click the link below to read the whole article.

Many doubt the veracity of Scripture and even the historical truth of Jesus of Nazareth. The October 21, 2002 edition of the NY Times reports that a very provocative find has occurred in the city of peace, Jerusalem. An inscription has been found: "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Is it possible that what Christians have believed for two thousand years is actually scientifically proven? Click the link below to read the whole article.

Our world today seems bent on redefining marriage; in fact, many feel that marriage is an antiquated formality that is no longer necessary in our modern world. Despite the loudness of those who voice these opinions, the ministry of Newark United Pentecostal Church still believes in the biblical principles which lay behind and are the pillars of the institution of marriage. It is interesting that the world around us is realizing that the institution of marriage--or the lack thereof--definitely affects the well-being of children. Below you will find an article--published in the Sunday, February 17, 2002 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer--in which columnist Jane Eisner discusses this reality. Click the link below to read the whole article.

The ministry of Newark United Pentecostal Church has recently taken a clear stand against unholy and unrighteous multimedia within the lives of Christians and in particular the presence of television within our homes. Below you will find an article--published in the Monday, January 15, 2001 SF edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer--which reports that a study out of Stanford University suggests that "Cutting back on the time children spend watching television and playing video games may lead to a decrease in aggressive behavior." Click the link below to read the whole article.

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