In the wake of the devastating floods that recently ravaged Kerr County, Texas, a powerful testament to faith and community resilience has emerged. As the waters recede, leaving behind a trail of destruction, it is the unwavering spirit of faith-based organizations and volunteers that is bringing hope and healing to this tight-knit community.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, known for its dedication to addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of those in crisis, has been at the forefront of this compassionate outreach. Josh Holland, the international director, emphasized the importance of simply being present for those who are suffering.

“As our crisis-trained chaplains know, there are no words to say that will make things better in moments like this. There are no magic phrases. All we can do as Christians is to come alongside people, to be a listening ear, to be a shoulder to lean on, to cry with them,” Holland shared. His words echo the biblical principle of mourning with those who mourn, a guiding light for the community’s recovery efforts.

In small towns like Kerrville, the impact of such tragedies is deeply personal. “Everybody knows somebody who’s been affected,” Holland noted, capturing the somber atmosphere that has enveloped the town. Yet, amid the sorrow, there is a steadfast reliance on faith to guide the way forward.

Max Greiner Jr., an artist inspired by his faith, has seen the transformative power of the Coming King Sculpture Prayer Gardens, a sanctuary of peace and reflection. The gardens, marked by a majestic cross, have become a beacon of hope for those seeking solace.

“This is a strong faith community, and I don’t know how people make it if they don’t have that faith,” Greiner remarked. His words remind us of the profound role faith plays in helping individuals cope with life’s darkest moments.

The gardens stand as a symbol of life and renewal, offering a respite from the devastation below. “We want the families, the wounded, to come up here when they need a break from all of the bad. There’s death down on the river, but there’s life up on this mountain,” Greiner explained, highlighting the spiritual refuge the gardens provide.

Marcus Breaux, National Director at Soldiers of Christ Ministries, calls on all of us to contribute in any way we can.

“Do not be discouraged. There are ways for people to get involved, whether it’s donations, whether it is giving a pack of paper towels or toilet paper, whatever, there’s a way that you can get involved,” he urged. Breaux’s message is a reminder that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a significant difference.

Matt Husted of the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team underscores the importance of reassurance and prayer during these trying times. Providing comfort and reminding people that “God is looking over them” is crucial in restoring hope and faith.

As faith-based organizations rally together, they encourage us all to lift up prayers for the injured, the bereaved, and those who have lost their homes. Their efforts exemplify the core values of faith, family, and freedom that define the American spirit. In times of crisis, it is this spirit that lights the path to recovery, reminding us of the enduring strength found in faith and community.

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In a deeply moving episode of the “Politely Rude” podcast, pro-life advocate Abby Johnson and author Robin Gerblick have brought to light the often-hidden wounds of abortion and the profound healing that can be found through faith in Jesus Christ. This conversation is a testament to the enduring power of Christian values and the importance of faith in overcoming life’s deepest regrets.

Abby Johnson, a stalwart in the fight against abortion, opened the episode by reaffirming her commitment to defending the unborn and highlighting the profound harm that abortion inflicts not only on children but also on women. “I think everyone knows that my primary fight in our culture today is the fight against abortion, the fight against the murder of the unborn in the womb,” she stated, setting the stage for a heartfelt discussion on the subject.

Robin Gerblick, who has personally experienced the devastating impact of abortion, shared her story with raw honesty. Her journey began in 1973, the same year Roe v. Wade was decided, and it led her down a path of pain and confusion until she found solace in her Christian faith. Reflecting on her past, she recalled, “I just moved to San Diego to start attending college, and he was my boyfriend, for sure, but also the love of my life.”

Gerblick’s experience at a clinic was one of isolation and pressure, highlighting the lack of support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. “There’s just no support, there’s no anything, and you’re just told … you need to have an abortion,” she recounted. This narrative is all too familiar in a society that often normalizes abortion, a point Johnson emphasized by noting, “It’s really interesting how normalized abortion has become, and how the abortion industry has done such a great job … of making abortion feel normal and compassionate for women.”

For Gerblick, the aftermath of her abortion was akin to “40 years of wandering in the desert,” a poignant reference to the Israelites’ journey in the Old Testament. She grappled with feelings of shame and a loss of self-worth, seeking validation in all the wrong places. “I was so desperate for love and so desperate for validation and worth,” she confessed.

However, it was her encounter with Jesus Christ that marked the beginning of her healing. “He could do what no other man on Earth could do, and that was love me unconditionally. And that was a life changer for me,” Gerblick shared, illustrating the transformative power of divine love.

A pivotal moment in her journey came when she visited a crisis pregnancy center and saw images of fetal development for the first time. Overwhelmed with emotion, she named a small model of a 10-week-old fetus “Grace,” symbolizing the life she lost and the grace she found in Christ.

Gerblick’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of naming and grieving one’s past, a process she believes is essential for true healing. “Although with our faith we know that we’re forgiven, we also have to be able to forgive ourselves,” she explained, emphasizing the need for self-compassion and understanding.

Her message to women carrying the burden of abortion is one of hope and redemption: “There is grace for them.” She has encountered women who have carried their secret for decades, urging them to find solace in the Savior who came to deliver us from our burdens.

Through her book, “Giving Up Grace: The Spiritual Rebranding of the Soul,” Gerblick chronicles her journey of redemption, offering a beacon of hope for others seeking healing. “Sometimes you need to give up the grace you don’t know in order to get the grace that you really need,” she concluded, pointing to the transformative power of Jesus’ grace.

In a world that often strays from traditional values, this podcast episode serves as a poignant reminder of the healing power of faith, the sanctity of life, and the enduring strength found in embracing Christian principles.

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In today’s rapidly changing world, where moral relativism often takes center stage, the role of church discipline in maintaining the integrity of faith communities cannot be overstated. While most Protestant churches in the United States have policies to address significant misbehavior, the practice of formalized church discipline has become increasingly rare. This trend is concerning, especially for those who value the preservation of traditional Christian values and the moral fabric of our society.

A recent survey by Lifeway Research, which included over 1,000 Protestant pastors, revealed that only one in six pastors reported their church had disciplined a member in the past year. This statistic is not indicative of a lack of sin within congregations but rather reflects a reluctance to confront it. As Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, pointed out, “The infrequency of church discipline is not because church members aren’t sinning.”

The data shows that more than half of pastors reported no formal discipline during their tenure, with many unaware of any previous instances. This trend is particularly pronounced in Mainline denominations, where 70% of pastors reported no knowledge of disciplinary actions, compared to 47% of Evangelical pastors. Methodist pastors were the least likely to have engaged in church discipline, with 82% stating it had never occurred.

Larger churches, however, are more likely to engage in discipline, with only 35% of pastors at churches with 250 or more attendees saying no one had been disciplined. As McConnell explained, “The more people you have in your church, the more likely someone’s behavior warrants discipline.”

Despite the infrequent enforcement, about 80% of churches have formal discipline policies. Yet, responsibility for administering discipline varies widely, with some churches involving elders, pastors, or even the entire congregation in the process. Mainline pastors were nearly twice as likely as Evangelical pastors to report no discipline policies, highlighting a significant divide in how different denominations approach this critical issue.

The biblical foundation for church discipline is clear, with passages like Matthew 18:15-20 and 1 Corinthians 5 outlining the process for addressing sin within the church. Jesus himself provides a framework for confronting sin, emphasizing the importance of repentance and restoration. The lack of discipline has led to a range of issues within the church, including “sexual assault allegations, greed, heresy from the pulpit, normalization of divorce and premarital sex, cowardice when it comes to confronting sin in our culture, biblical illiteracy, and more.”

The purpose of discipline, as highlighted by the study, is not punitive but restorative. Around 83% of pastors said their churches aim to “lovingly and biblically confront unconfessed sin,” with Evangelical pastors showing stronger agreement than their Mainline counterparts. McConnell emphasized the dual benefit of confronting sin: “Confronting unconfessed sin is both for the benefit of the local church and the individual.”

In a time when the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred, the need for churches to uphold biblical principles through discipline is more critical than ever. By doing so, they not only preserve the purity of the church but also provide a moral compass for society, reinforcing the values of faith, family, and freedom that are the bedrock of our nation.

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