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Thanksgiving and Entropy
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Second Law of Thermodynamics reveals a universal tendency for energy to diffuse and reach equilibrium, resulting in increased entropy, which can be understood as the universe constantly becoming more disorderly. This principle suggests that everything in the universe tends toward breakdown over time, challenging the idea of progressive complexity in organized systems. Beyond the scientific realm, entropy also manifests as a social parallel, where institutions and relationships crumble without constant infusions of energetic work. This decline is evident in the fall of great empires like Rome, which eroded slowly as its foundational ethics weakened, ultimately leading to its collapse. On a personal level, entropy affects relationships when effort is not made to maintain them, causing closeness to disintegrate over time. Similarly, cultural occasions like Thanksgiving have suffered from this social entropy, devolving from a day of solemn gratitude to God for His blessings into a commercialized event focused on gluttony and shopping, losing its original purpose of reflection and thankfulness. A Christian is urged to resist this entropy in gratitude toward God, recognizing the importance of giving thanks to maintain proper perspective and create peace in the heart.
Dealing With Change
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God deliberately places change in our lives to bring about spiritual growth toward perfection.
Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe book of Hebrews resonates for the church of God at this time due to the strong parallels between our circumstances and those of the first century church.
A Body in Motion (2012)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Churches are powerless to stop the legalization of perversion; the secular progressives intend to cram this immorality down everybody's throat.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod not only upholds, but also guides and propels His creation, periodically overruling man's mismanagement with floods, fires, winds, and earthquakes.
Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe One who sent forth His Spirit to create and breathe life into the physical world, also breathed on His disciples and endowed them with spiritual life.
Change and Constancy
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughChange, whether we consider it good or bad, produces stress, and we tend to blame stress for the discouragement or even depression that follows change.
Remaining Unleavened
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur carnal natures must be displaced by God's Holy Spirit, motivating us to refrain from causing offense, but freely forgiving others as God has forgiven us.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Four
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod not only rules in heaven, but He is also sovereign on earth! He is not an absentee landlord, but One who is actively involved in administering His creation.
Futility, Sovereignty, and Faith
CGG WeeklyThe Law of Entropy teaches that matter is moving toward disorder. But when we remember God's sovereignty, we can conclude that there is a purpose in this futility.
Love's Greatest Challenges
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAn irrational fear of loss prevents the development of agape love — we fear that keeping God's commandments will cause us to lose something valuable.
Free Will or God's Sovereignty?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeIf God is sovereign and promises salvation to believers, why does it matter how believers live? How significant are our choices in the grand scheme of life?
The Beginning of History
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerMany believe that history is progress—that mankind, along with his nature, governments, and technology, is on an inevitable course of advancement.