Biologist Dr. Richard Dawkins is credited with coining the term “meme” in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene. The word is derived from the Greek word mimema, which means “to imitate.” Dr. Dawkins chose this word because it sounds similar to the word gene. He created it to describe how genes reproduce by passing information from one organism to another. In the book, Dawkins goes on to explain how...
The flame has been extinguished. The medals have all been awarded, for the most part (apparently gymnastics is getting a bit gymnasty about the bronze medal). The games of the XXXIII Olympiad have concluded. We may all return to our regularly scheduled routines. We no longer need to sneak a peek at our phones to see how our favorite American athletes are faring. Or, perhaps you wanted to watch...
We recently held our final activity of the summer for the Attic Student Ministry, the youth ministry of FBC Seymour. As the students sat next to the lake, I began the devotion for the evening as if I was conducting a funeral. The opening was as follows: “Dearly Beloved. We are gathered together today in the sight of God to remember and reflect on the life of our dear friend Summer Twenty Twenty...
If being offended were an Olympic event, there would be some stiff competition for the gold. I’ll be honest; I was personally a little offended by the opening ceremony. I wasn’t offended because of any specific scene I witnessed, though the organizers definitely crossed lines of propriety from my perspective. I was offended because it was boring and confusing, and especially because they...
In 2008, I began a long-term partnership with an organization called Mission Serve. My leadership team and I took our students to Beaufort, SC to serve the community through repairing roofs, building handicap accessible ramps, repainting homes, and sharing the love of Jesus in word and deed. It’s a partnership that has continued to this day. Last week, we took approximately 40 students and adults...
In the fall of 2022, we purchased a 1980’s, Fox Body Mustang for our son for his sixteenth birthday. The plan was for the car, lovingly named Miss Betty Blue, to function as a rolling restoration project. She would serve as JJ’s daily driver and we would repair, replace, and upgrade various portions of the vehicle as both money and time allowed. Miss Betty Blue is now an overpriced decoration...
“God will never give you more than you can handle.” I can’t tell you how many times this phrase has been uttered to me throughout my life. My guess is you have heard or even used this phrase yourself at some point in time. The phrase undoubtedly comes from the right heart. The only problem is the message communicated is wrong. Even the most blessed of lives will have a fair share of moments that...
Who is the GOAT? GOAT is a modern acronym for the coveted title of Greatest Of All Time. It is applied rather generously in a wide variety of settings and is argued vehemently in others. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in the world of professional basketball. This has been particularly true with the recent accomplishments of Lebron James and the imminence of his retirement. This has led to...
I would be the first to admit that I am not the most fashionable of people. Throughout my life, I have lacked both the resources and desire to keep up with the swirling vortex of ever-changing trends. While I may not stay in style, I do have a style all my own. One way this style is expressed is through my diverse collection of shoes. Many of my selections have been described as eccentric...
“Experience is the best teacher.” This phrase is accredited to the great Julius Caesar. While I am eternally grateful to all of the many women and men who have served as teachers in my own life and in the lives of my family and friends, I must say that this statement rings true to me. Education, both formal and informal, provided me with a great deal of information and perspective to help me...
Jeremy Myers is the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Seymour, Indiana, where he has served since 2017. He has over 25 years of experience in local church ministry and not-for-profit leadership. He has a passion for helping emerging and existing generations learn to make space for each other and caring for the under-served and marginalized. In 2016, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, with his thesis focusing on developing connections between senior adults and youth in the church. He is a passionate and gifted communicator and is regularly invited to speak at retreats, camps, conferences, and other events. He lives in Seymour, Indiana with his wife Robyn, their two children, Mikayla and JJ, and their Golden Doodle, Evie.
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