7 Lies About Our Love Lives by Eric Geiger

 Single, dating, or married, we are bombarded with messages from the culture about our love lives, and many of the messages are false and damaging. The clichés about our love lives that the world offers are presented as modern proverbs—pithy statements of wisdom for our good. But these modern proverbs from the world are leaving people frustrated and disappointed. There is a completely different set of Proverbs from the Word—pithy statements of godly wisdom that speak to your love life. The modern proverbs from the world hurt, but the Proverbs from the Word are helpful, beautiful, refreshing, and true.

1. Lie from the world: Find your soulmate.

The world pleads with you to find your soulmate—the one who can complete you. The cultural cliché hurts those who are single by hinting that they are lacking someone to make them whole. It hurts those who are dating by causing them to pass on great options in hopes of the mythical “one.” And it hurts those who are married, setting unrealistic expectations and causing some to view any conflict as a hint that “this must not be my soulmate.” The Word says you are not half a person who needs someone else to complete you. No, you were created by God and cut off from Him because of your own sin. But He came here to make you one with Himself, and if you fear Him, your soul is satisfied. Another person can’t satisfy your soul, but the God who created you will satisfy your soul if you trust Him.

2. Lie from the world: Follow your heart.

The world says, “follow your heart.” The Word cautions you against that advice because our hearts and our feelings are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and can lead us down painful paths—including in our relationships. Instead, the Word encourages you to “guard your heart.” While some have said “the heart wants what the heart wants,” the Word helps us see that we train our hearts to want what God wants, which is best for us. We guard our hearts by carefully choosing the counsel we hear, where we go, and the friends we have.

3. Lie from the world: Love at first sight.

The world uses phrases like “love at first sight” and “love is a feeling.” But beauty is fleeting, and love is not a feeling; love is a commitment. In Proverbs 31, we see the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman and a Proverbs 31 man—the qualities that outlast physical beauty and serve as a steady foundation for a relationship. Beauty is fleeting and charm can lie to you, but character can grow, and character must be the foundation of a relationship—not sight.

4. Lie from the world: Let love find you.

Marriage rates in the US are at the lowest point in history. Marriage has been presented as something to delay and something that could lower your happiness, despite research that points to the happiness of marriage (see the book Get Married by Brad Wilcox). Men are pursuing less for a myriad of reasons. Some look to the culture that has caused men to pull back for fear of being called toxic. Some look to men who have decided not to pursue. The cliché to “let love find you” is upended by the counsel from the wisdom writer to men to “find a wife.” Often, love does not find you; you must go searching. The Proverb holds women in high regard (she is a blessing, you don’t deserve her, and pursue her).

5. Lie from the world: It’s just between us.

The world, especially in the West, paints relationships as just between the two people. This hurts both dating relationships and marriages. Those dating and those married miss the wisdom and perspective from community. And cultures that view marriage as the union of families have much lower divorce rates than those that view marriage as just the union between individuals. The wise way to date and to be married is in community (where you can benefit from the collective wisdom of others) because “plans fail when there is no counsel.”

6. Lie from the world: Cut discomfort out of your life.

The clichés about cutting people out of your life, even a spouse who does not serve your life goals, abound. God uses marriage to make us uncomfortable, so we can cut the sin out of our lives, not the people we have committed to. After marriage, even with two amazing people, the reality is that there will be conflict. You can stir them up or you can cover them with love, commitment, and forgiveness. To be clear, I am not suggesting covering abuse or abandonment, but the inevitable conflicts of two people who are married.

7. Lie from the world: Variety is the spice of life.

The head of sales at Ashley Madison (the website designed to connect cheating spouses) said that their company’s biggest competitor was the Bible. The world gives you cliches like “it is just sex,” “you only live once,” and “variety is the spice of life,” which encourage people to find thrills and sex outside of their marriages. Proverbs 5:1-14 gives a strong warning against adultery and how it can ruin you and everything. But verses 15-20 give us the way to avoid adultery—rejoicing in the spouse of your youth and allowing him or her to be the only cistern you drink from.

The proverbs of the world may seem right, but in the end, they lead to death. The Proverbs from the Word are life.

Special thanks to my good friend JP (Jonathan Pokluda) whose book Outdated served as the foundation for the framing above.

The post 7 Lies About Our Love Lives appeared first on Eric Geiger – Eric Geiger, Author and Senior Pastor, Mariners Church.

The Abuse of Grace Which God Takes VERY seriously

Grace is God's only means of salvation for lost humanity.  And because of that, God takes the abuse of grace very seriously.  How seriously?

First, let it be stated plainly:  grace is the antithesis of works.  Grace is so God-filled and saturated that there is no room for man's works, and it is an insult to God to even hint at including them in salvation.

Why?

1. The abuse of grace condemns the preacher who proclaims it.

If a preacher (or even an angel) preaches a gospel mixed with man's works, Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9 that such a preacher has perverted the gospel and should be accused - sentenced to hell.  Why would Paul give such a major pronouncement to a false preacher?  Because that false preacher is leading other people to hell, and to Paul, it would be better for one person (the preacher) to be eternally separated from God than many persons who might be persuaded by his preaching.

Man's works will not lead him to Heaven, they lead to hell.  And even grace with a mixture of works will do the same because anything added to grace causes grace to no longer be grace.

2. The abuse of grace nullifies faith, which is necessary for salvation.

Paul used Abraham as an example in Romans 4 that he was not justified by his works, but by his faith.  And then Paul says in verse 4, "Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt."  If you work for something, you don't consider payment for that work to be grace, but instead what was owed to you.  

People can try to make deals with God.  Let my sick grandmother live, and I will live for you.  Heal my body and I will live for you.  God does not make deals.  

When a person realizes they are a sinner incapable of producing any good, then when God saves that person totally on the basis of the redemptive work of Jesus, then whatever that person receives in life is received with joy and patience because it is more than they deserve.

And when you make deals with God, it nullifies faith.  Romans 4:16 "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace..."  If you believe, even the smallest of man's works brings salvation, then your faith is in your works, not fully in the cross of Jesus Christ.

3. The abuse of grace gives glory to man and away from the cross of Jesus Christ.

I hear people say things like:

* I accepted Jesus Christ when I was young.

* I found Jesus 

* I was saved forty years ago.

What is the common denominator of all of those statements?  "I" - 

The story of salvation is not about us but about Jesus Christ.  All glory and praise go to Him and not to us.

Isaiah 42:8 "My glory I will not give to another."

God does not share His glory with man.

Paul said in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ..."

In Heaven, the only persons who will be there are those who will give glory to "the Lamb seated on the throne."  No one will be able to declare or boast of their work, position, or profession that earned them the right to be in Heaven.

Blessings;

David

In Honor of My Friend, Dr. Kevin McCreless

I want to honor my friend, Dr. Kevin McCreless. I knew of Kevin for a long time, even going back to Samford days, but when I was "talking" to Rainsville First about coming to Rainsville, I called Kevin. From that day on, we had a very close relationship while pastoring less than a mile from each other. He was always so kind to me and supportive of the ministry of Rainsville First and me personally. We had a wonderful pastor group together for a year or so and got to know him even better. We tried to revive another pastor group last fall and met one time before we couldn't continue. He introduced me and invited me to attend the Pastor's group of Dr. Haddon Robinson's meeting in Wisconsin and during COVID I did get to attend one of the week-long sessions via Zoom in his office while studying Ezekiel. What a man to give 33 years of his life to one church and community.

He was always a learner...talking about a book that had challenged him, a passage of Scripture that he had gotten new insights from, and always eager to listen to ideas of others to do ministry better or differently.

And I want to thank Broadway Baptist Church for the way you honored him in his retirement. I'm so glad you gave "your flowers" while he was living. And I will always be thankful I got to attend the last part of that service in February.

Thanks, Paul Murphy and Justin Spurgin, for letting me go with you to visit with him one afternoon. I will never forget our time together.

To Mrs. Terri Boles McCreless, I'm so sorry retirement plans did not turn out like you or him planned, but praying for you in the days ahead as you have the support of your family and church family. Blessings to the children and grandchildren. You have a great legacy that's been given to you by a faithful father.

Well done, my friend. Well done... Rainsville will never be the same without you, but to be with Jesus is better and the true reward. "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13)

Digital Worship Fatigue by Thom Rainer

When the pandemic arrived, churches around the world had no choice but to pivot to online worship. Sanctuaries were empty, but livestreams and Zoom calls gave congregations a way to stay connected. For a time, the transition felt almost miraculous. Churches that had never considered online ministry suddenly found themselves reaching people far beyond their usual walls.

Some pastors even reported record numbers. Views were counted in the hundreds or thousands. Sermons were being streamed across states and even countries. The excitement was palpable. Many wondered if this was the new normal for the church.

But four years later, the enthusiasm has waned. Online worship remains a tool, but it no longer carries the same momentum. Attendance is down, engagement is weak, and many believers are simply tired of digital church. What began as a lifeline has in many cases become a burden. This growing reality has a name: digital worship fatigue.

Online Worship Is Declining in Popularity

When the pandemic forced churches to close their doors, online worship became the only option. Overnight, pastors scrambled to set up cameras, stream services, and learn new platforms. For a while, it worked. In fact, many churches reported that their digital attendance exceeded their in-person numbers. The thinking was simple: this is the future.

But the data now tells a different story. Pew Research notes that while 92% of regular churchgoers watched services online at least once during the height of the pandemic, fewer than half continued the practice consistently by 2022. Barna’s surveys confirm that the majority of Christians now say they prefer in-person worship and view online church as a secondary option at best.

The novelty has worn off. What felt innovative in 2020 feels thin in 2025. Pastors who once celebrated thousands of views now quietly admit that only a fraction remain. The consumer culture of digital church—easy to start, easy to stop—has proven unsustainable.

The truth is clear: the surge in online participation was not a revolution. It was a survival strategy. And now, people are tired of digital substitutes. What they want most is to gather again.

Screens Cannot Replace Sacred Spaces

Online worship has its place, but a screen can never replicate a sanctuary.

A livestream delivers content—a sermon, a song, a prayer. But worship was never designed to be just information transfer. Worship is embodied. It’s the sound of voices joining together, the atmosphere of prayer, and the physical act of gathering.

A screen strips away much of that. You can watch the music, but you can’t feel the vibrations of voices filling the room. You can hear the sermon, but you don’t sense the collective weight of people leaning into God’s Word together.

Community also suffers. In-person worship allows for chance conversations, hugs in the hallway, and eye contact that reassures someone they are not alone. Online services cannot reproduce those sacred moments.

Even the physical act of showing up matters. Walking into a church building is a declaration: “I’m part of this body. I’m here to meet with God and His people.” Sitting at home in pajamas doesn’t carry the same meaning.

For a season, digital worship was necessary. But over time, the absence of sacred space left many believers spiritually thin. It turns out that screens are a weak substitute for sanctuaries.

The writer of Hebrews captured it perfectly: “Do not neglect to meet together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25). Screens are helpful. Sacred spaces are essential.

The Distraction Dilemma

One of the great challenges of digital worship is simple: distraction.

In a sanctuary, most distractions are limited. A phone may buzz. A child may fidget. But the environment itself is designed to focus attention on God.

At home, distractions are everywhere. The doorbell rings. The dog barks. The laundry buzzer goes off. A text message pops up during the sermon. Worship competes with a dozen other voices.

Even the screen itself invites divided attention. A livestream is just one browser tab among many. The temptation to check email, scroll social media, or glance at the news is constant. The average online viewer rarely gives full, uninterrupted focus for more than a few minutes.

Children in the home add another layer. Parents attempting to watch often juggle breakfast, playtime, or squabbles. What might feel like a calm experience in a pew becomes chaos on the couch.

The result? Worship becomes background noise rather than a sacred encounter. Instead of being immersed in Scripture, prayer, and song, people drift in and out. Some “attend” a full service without truly engaging a single moment.

Pastors know this struggle. Many have received messages like, “I loved the part about forgiveness,” only to realize the person tuned in for five minutes and missed the rest. Online numbers may look strong, but the depth of engagement is weak.

Distraction is not a minor issue—it undercuts the very purpose of worship. Without focus, the heart is rarely transformed.

Convenience Breeds Complacency

Online worship is undeniably convenient. With a few clicks, you can join a service from your living room, your car, or even a beach chair. For those who are sick, traveling, or homebound, this accessibility is a blessing.

But convenience comes with a cost. What begins as a short-term solution can become a long-term substitute. Healthy members often start choosing the easiest path—watching online instead of gathering in person.

When worship is reduced to convenience, commitment weakens. Church becomes optional, something to fit in around errands, sports, or weekend plans. It shifts from a central rhythm of life to a side activity when time allows.

This decline affects more than attendance. Giving drops. Volunteering decreases. Fewer people step into leadership roles. Online worshipers rarely serve on committees, teach classes, or greet at the door. Their engagement is passive rather than active.

Over time, convenience breeds complacency. A casual click replaces the discipline of showing up. A sermon on screen replaces fellowship with others. The church shifts from a community of belonging to a product to consume.

Convenience is not always the enemy. But when it becomes the norm, it erodes the very heart of commitment. The easy option eventually costs the church dearly.

Digital Worship Should Supplement, Not Replace

The digital church is not going away. It still has a role to play in ministry. The key is learning how to use it wisely.

Online services provide access for people who cannot attend in person—shut-ins, the chronically ill, or those traveling. For seekers who are hesitant to step into a building, a livestream can be a gentle first step toward faith. For members who relocate, digital worship can help them stay connected during transition.

The danger comes when churches view digital worship as a permanent replacement. No screen can sustain the long-term spiritual health of a believer. Christianity is designed to be lived in community, not isolation.

The better approach is a both/and strategy. Use digital tools as a supplement, not a substitute. Encourage members to take advantage of online services when necessary, but call them back consistently to embodied community.

Digital platforms can also enhance ministry beyond Sunday morning. They can distribute midweek devotionals, small group resources, and discipleship content. In that sense, the internet becomes a tool for depth rather than just convenience.

But the priority must remain clear: the gathered church is essential. Digital ministry extends the church’s reach, but it cannot replace the church’s core.

The goal should never be to build a digital-only congregation. The goal is to leverage every tool available to bring people together in person, where worship is richest and discipleship is strongest.

Screens are useful servants. But the sanctuary remains home.

The Fatigue Is Real

Digital worship fatigue is real. The decline in online participation is not a sign of failure, but a reminder of how God designed His people. Worship is not just content; it is community. It is not only heard; it is felt.

The church must not abandon digital tools, but it must place them in their proper place—useful, but never ultimate. The greater call is to bring people back into the house of God, where presence matters more than pixels.

The psalmist declared, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). That joy cannot be livestreamed. It must be lived.

The Church Divided over Pastors Should Remember Christ is the Only Head

The pastor is a vital and essential office in the local church.  In fact, only pastors (elders, bishop, shepherd, overseer, pastor - all the same office) and deacons are the only two Biblical offices in the local church.

The pastor is a gift from God (Ephesians 4: 7-11) and, like all the gifts from God, should be received as a treasure and with thanksgiving.  You can't show your pastor enough appreciation for the gift he is from God to your church.

But we can sometimes put the pastor on such a pedestal that everything and everyone relates only to the pastor.  Such was the case in Corinth when Paul received reports that the church was divided on who "they liked best as pastor."  In First Corinthians 1: 10-17 there are four camps mentioned, and I can only imagine how the arguments went in regard to why they liked this particular pastor or didn't like him.

Paul - the first camp was "I am of Paul." Can't you just hear those who loved Paul saying, "Oh, he was such a deep preacher.  When he preached, he really challenged us with his knowledge of God and the Bible.  You got 'meat' when he preached."  

Those who didn't like him most likely responded, "Paul was difficult to follow.  He preached over my head.  I just think when you preach, if you will put the goods on the bottom shelf so the young ones can get it, then even the giraffe can bend his head to reach it.  Plus, I just couldn't get over how Paul looked when I heard him preach.  That eye was constantly ousing out and it was so distracting.  I'm glad he's not here anymore."

Apollos - the second camp was "I am of Apollos."  Acts 18:25 tells us Apollos was "fervent in spirit," meaning he was passionate and "on fire."  I can just hear them saying, "Man, when Apollos preaches, he gets all fired up.  He even runs up and down the aisle.  I love to see his passion for God instead of this milk-toast type of preacher."  

Those who didn't like him most likely responded, "Apollos was just too wild.  You never knew what he was going to do.  He even scared me.  Plus, you don't have to get all that excited.  We are just not that type of church.  Plus, he never really said anything that was that moving or worthy of remembering. I just like my pastor to be more of a teacher....calm, never raising his voice."

Cephas (Peter) - the third camp was "I am of Cephas."  This is Peter.  Now we know Peter was the leader of the apostles.  I can hear those who liked him saying, "Now Peter, man, he was a leader.  He was a take-charge kind of guy.  We always had something going on when Peter was here.  And I loved it...you never knew what he was going to say or who he was going to offend.  He would sure step on your toes every once in a while, but you know, if the preacher never steps on your toes, then he's not really preaching.  Now, Peter had to come back and apologize sometime, but I liked Peter's preaching."

Those who were not in his camp likely responded, "Peter always had to be in control.  No one else ever had an opinion that he would consider. It was his way or the highway.  That's just not like who Christ is.  I want my preacher to hear everyone and consider their opinions.  I mean, Peter taught us we are all priests, but we never had much input in the way the church was run.  Plus, oh my goodness, he even cussed once or twice.  Holy smoke...can you believe a pastor doing that?  Now, I will give it to him...he could get things done, but it was just not in the right spirit."

Christ - the fourth camp was "I am of Christ."  All I will say here is that these were the ultimate spiritual people.  They just followed Christ and were proud of it.

Oh my goodness...I do believe those camps are still in EVERY church.  

So what did Paul have to say about this situation?  First Corinthians 3: 1-7

1.  All the camps were believers who were carnal and not mature. (verses 1-4)

2.  All the pastors (Paul, Apollos) are just ministers, servants, and are really not anything.  They just have some special grace to give, but no one has everything. (verses 5, 7)

3. The only thing that matters is "God giving the increase." (verse 6)

Churches built around the personality of the pastor will not be built on a solid, lasting foundation.  But when God is the one adding, then the results will last.

And don't ever forget, Christ is the head of the church, not the pastor (including me). 

Blessings;

David