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In order to protect marriage, we should be careful not to denigrate singleness.

*** I wrote this last year on the occasion of my wife's and my 10-year anniversary. It's now our 11-year anniversary, and I thought I would repost it as it's an important topic to revisit. ***

Tomorrow is my 10 year wedding anniversary. 10 years is an important anniversary for any couple, but doubly so for us as just a few years ago, I was terrified that we would not make it this far. But lo and behold, we have arrived at this important milestone, and my wife is still healthy and cancer-free. I love Carol to bits, and am so thankful for every year, really every day, that we spend together.

At this point, you would probably expect me to gush about my wife and our marriage for another thousand words, but I actually want to do something quite different, even the opposite: I want to talk about the value of singleness in the Christian faith. I know it is a strange subject for a happily married man to talk about on the occasion of his anniversary, but perhaps that makes what I have to say all the more relevant, that a happily married man might feel it is vital to make this point.

It seems to me that the evangelical church places marriage on something of a pedestal, describing it in elevated terms, and investing enormous amounts of time and resources into strengthening that institution. I wasn't born in the evangelical movement and so don't know if it was always this way, but I would guess that this was a response to cultural developments of the past few decades, both the rising prevalence of divorce as well as co-habitating couples. These dynamics did legitimately threaten a biblical understanding of marriage, and still do. And so it was only natural that the church would shift its attention to marriage, ...

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Pastors often loathe to weigh in on controversial topics. There are reasons.

I have never considered myself a very political person. As a proudly evangelical pastor, for a long time I possessed a somewhat bemused and distant attitude towards politics, focusing my attention instead on my calling to teach and preach the Word, which was above all worldly concerns. But that changed a few years ago. After my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and our insurance company tried to terminate her coverage using the dreaded “pre-existing condition” clause, I became a vocal advocate for health care reform. Shortly after that, as a resident of a city wracked with racial tensions, I timidly called for greater understanding between Korean and African-American communities.

These brief forays into the public sphere have taught me a lot, and have given me a lot more compassion on the plight of pastors. Evangelical pastors are often lambasted for their lack of engagement with society and politics. We accuse evangelical leaders of being too passive and silent on the most pressing issues of the day, and wonder if this is due to a lack of conviction, or a lack of courage. We call them cowards, dinosaurs, unbiblical, irrelevant. And I hate to admit that I have often joined that chorus of criticism. But the truth is not nearly so simple. Although I don't seek to totally exonerate myself from wrongdoing, here are five reasons why I personally hesitate to speak out on controversial issues:

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The Separation of Church and State

This might seem like something of a cop-out explanation, but you should remember that one of the foundational principles of American culture and government is the separation between church and state. It's an idea that ...

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The conversation around testing and when to reopen continues; we check in with the Solano County. Questions about filing for unemployment get some needed answers, and how children’s parties are still happening online.

The latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic from weekend across the region. We check in with the mayors of Truckee and Chico on how their cities are managing, and a local photographer offers a window into the lives of her neighbors.

California Rep. Doris Matsui discusses what did and didn’t work in COVID-19 relief packages. The Greater Sacramento Economic Council on the region’s potential for recovery, and poet Amanda Harrinauth on finding joy in every day.

The distinguishing factors between the flu and COVID-19, and why it matters. Dr. Carolee Tran discusses her new memoir about her family’s escape from Vietnam 45 years ago, and ‘Socially Distant Saturday’ with CapRadio’s Nick Brunner.

California moves toward Phase 2 in changing its stay-at-home rules. We check in with businesses who could soon reopen their doors. A Sutter Health sleep expert talks odd dreams and interrupted sleep, and an anthem to healthcare workers.

Today on Insight, we check in with essential businesses that are thriving during the pandemic. Sacramento County Health Services director Dr. Peter Bielenson shares his thoughts on reopening and other safety protocols, and at-home pizza kits

We check in on the state budget deficit and the controversial reopening of the Yuba Sutter Mall. A trio of UC Davis Medical Center nurses on the value of nursing during the pandemic. How to monitor mental health and a new COVID-19 children’s book.

Vintage Trouble have released a new social distancing inspired song 'Outside-In' and we asked frontman Ty Taylor to tell us about the song

Miami hard rockers Gears have released a lyric video for their brand new single and previously unreleased track

Kenny Chesney has surprised released a music video for his track 'We Do'.

Queen guitarist Brian May is sharing his thoughts on the likelihood of a sequel to the band's 2018 biopic

The surviving members of Soundgarden have filed a counter-lawsuit

Salim Nourallah released his new EP new EP 'Let's Be Miserable Together' this week and to celebrate we asked him to tell us about the song 'Winners'.

Caligula's Horse have released an art video for their new single 'Valkyrie'.

Puscifer have been teasing fans via social media and they have now delivered with a brand new song and music video

Grammy nominated Lettuce just released their new album 'Resonate' and to celebrate we asked Adam Deitch to tell us about the song 'Checker Wrecker'.

Pennsylvania rockers Sick Century have released a music video for their new single 'Echos & Dust.'

DED have released a music video for their latest single 'A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)'.

Motorhead are debuting a lyric video for their 1980 classic, 'Ace Of Spades', as part of the first annual 'Motorhead Day' celebrations

David Gilmour is streaming his 2016 film, 'Live At Pompeii', as the fourth and final installment in Pink Floyd's new weekly series

Queen guitarist Brian May injured himself while gardening at home earlier this week.

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