Distractions take our eyes off those things that really matter. For a pastor, the health of the church is greatly at risk when he loses his focus. Most pastors say critics distract them from their ministries.

Although this strange and ancient nursery rhyme may not seem relevant today, it does contain a few helpful lessons for us, especially as we seek to stay pure in an increasingly sexualized culture of compromise.

My caution concerns making theology God instead of God God. Loving doing theology rather than loving God. Reformed people tend to be thoughtful. That is, they come to the Bible and they want to use their minds to make sense of it.

There is a big difference between 13 million abortions per year in China and nearly 1 million per year in the United States. Or is there? Regardless of the country or the circumstance, the babies involved are not consulted and the resulting loss of life is the same.

How do we anchor ourselves in the aftermath of the Aurora massacre that left us adrift in a sea of anxiety, doubt, fear and questions about the presence of an all powerful and loving God?

When evil rises in such a pervasive and perverse way we are left to ponder its cause. Psychologists will line up to dissect and analyze the life of the shooter, pointing to telltale signs that might have revealed his approaching break with reality. Sociologists will point to the shortcomings of culture as the culprit.

Along with the rest of America I'm shocked and saddened at the mass shootings that took place in Aurora, Colorado at this morning's 12:01 am premiere of "Dark Knight Rising" the latest and last of the Batman trilogy.

The sins of one man at Penn State can be addressed in a court of law, but the consequences ripple like waves from the wake of a big boat. How many adults will keep their distance from kids out of a desire to protect and preserve their reputation?

It's easy sometimes not to make a decision, to let the perceived status quo become our daily agenda. Instead of becoming a leader who is a change agent, we become managers who carry out routine tasks. How can we leaders make certain we are not seeking the comfort of sameness and committing sins of omission?

Sin rips and ravages. Like a sinister and dangerous predator it tricks us and then pounces. From burning lust to to juicy gossip to gloating pride sin draws us in through portals of hormones, bitterness and arrogance before killing us with the consequences.