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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 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
Why I'm Starting a PhD…
Well, now you know. I’m starting a PhD. I noted toward the end of last year that I was working on a large project that would take up some...
Ben Francis
Sep 7, 20239 min read
440 views
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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 "Secret" Mission of the American Library Association.
Are Public Libraries becoming Social Engines for the LGBTQ Agenda? How to use this post. If you would like to read a synopsis of this...
Ben Francis
Aug 5, 202311 min read
212 views
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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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An Open Letter to the Person County Library, and Person County Government from her Pastor-Shepherds.
An Open Letter to the Person County Library, and Person County Government from her Local Pastor-Shepherds. On behalf of the members of...
Ben Francis
Jul 10, 20239 min read
1,238 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
174 views
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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
218 views
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The 2023 Southern Baptist Convention: In Review
The 2023 Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana June 13-14, has now come and gone. My first comment is: New...
Ben Francis
Jun 19, 202312 min read
441 views
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What I’m Reading: April-May 2023
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of...
Ben Francis
May 31, 20235 min read
59 views
0 comments
2023 Southern Baptist Convention: A Preview
In just a few weeks, the Southern Baptist Convention will gavel itself into session in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a reminder, the...
Ben Francis
May 25, 20235 min read
144 views
0 comments
Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World
A Review I am thankful for Eliza Huie and the folks at the Biblical Counseling Coalition. They are producing some great work in really...
Ben Francis
May 23, 20234 min read
65 views
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Parents: Don't Give Your Kids a Smartphone...
We are living in a day and age that revolves around technology, especially smartphones. Our days are filled with them: Tasks, jobs,...
Ben Francis
May 16, 20237 min read
114 views
1 comment
Minnesota Oversteps: Christian Parents Beware...
Trans Rights and the Loss of Parental Authority The Transgender Revolution marches on… “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. Not...
Ben Francis
Apr 30, 20233 min read
97 views
0 comments
What Does it Mean to Be Pastored?
Life in the Local Church Belonging to a local Church of the Lord Jesus Christ entails all sorts of things: Membership, fellowship,...
Ben Francis
Apr 28, 20238 min read
204 views
0 comments
A Lament for the Hard Things: The Joy of Pastoral Ministry; A Follow-Up…
When I sat down to write the previous post, “A Lament for the Hard Things,” my goal was to share a tangible illustration of what I had...
Ben Francis
Apr 15, 20238 min read
129 views
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A Lament for the Hard Things…
This painting hangs in my study reminding me of days like today. Like the man in the painting, pastoral ministry calls men to come in...
Ben Francis
Apr 11, 20235 min read
245 views
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What's Shaping My Life?
This question lodged itself in my mind during our Sunday morning Bible study. "Are Christians in danger of living in a delusion?" We were...
Ben Francis
Apr 4, 20238 min read
58 views
0 comments
What I'm Reading - March 23'
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” -George R.R. Martin Theology Powerful...
Ben Francis
Mar 31, 20235 min read
89 views
0 comments
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