“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” – Luke 2:52 (NKJV) We’ve heard the saying, “If it is to be, it’s up to me”. For years, most parents in our country have watched the school bus drive away with their children feeling that the school would take care of their learning, exercise, and even their social life as they met other children. Then, perhaps, both father and mother would drive off to their jobs feeling like they had done their duty by their … [Read more...]
Seasoned Baptist journalist assesses SBC in Nashville
Gary Ledbetter and I have been friends for several decades. I hold him in high esteem as a seasoned Baptist journalist. One of the things he is really good at is his capacity to assess a situation and accurately state the way things actually happened. When I read his column, I said, “This is what Pathway readers should know about Nashville.” I asked Gary if we could print an edited version of his column, and he agreed. (See his article below.) * * * * * “It’s been a … [Read more...]
Amid distrust, relativism, Christian journalism needed
Carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth is what unites Southern Baptists, along with the belief that the Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible and sufficient Word. Yet we find ourselves in an increasingly hostile nation. Such is the product of a society that denies absolute truth. It is a bitter pill to swallow, reminding us we live in a fallen world. Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., recently offered a sobering, accurate assessment: … [Read more...]
Opening up about prayer
I confess it. My jar-opening skills are abysmal. Even with those flappy rubber jar grippers. Even with those wrench-looking jaws of life things they make for jars. Jars of life? But in my defense, the chief reason I have no jar-opening skills is that I married an A-number-one jar opener. Without Richie Rhea, I would be in a real pickle, jar-wise. Not necessarily a pickle jar. But a pickle. Jar-wise. I also have to confess that sometimes I can get myself in a real pickle on the spiritual … [Read more...]
Boundaries give security
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” – Proverbs 29:15 (KJV) Some folks would have us feel guilty for correcting children. Actually, those who do not correct children should be the ones to feel guilty. It is so sad to see children “at loose ends” not knowing what is right and what is wrong. They are so confused! How can they ever feel good knowing they have done the right thing if they don’t know what the right thing is? Children need … [Read more...]
Put aside excuses, be a neighbor
Recently, I was told that people need a tangible reason for neighboring. Knowing that it impacts your health – for example -- could be one of those reasons. Plenty of research reveals the importance of face-to-face interaction on our mental and physical health. Neighboring is also essential to do something with others to make the world a better place. If you are civically minded but ignoring your immediate neighbors, that isn’t very honest. Still, others understand that Jesus commanded … [Read more...]
Words expose the heart
Have you ever said something and instantly regretted it? We all undoubtedly know the devastating disappointment of hurtful words spoken in uncharitable tones. I’ll never forget when I was 13 years old and told my mother she was ruining my life (she wasn’t). Even in my youthfulness, I instantly regretted the foolish outburst. In that moment I expressed a greater desire for authority and control rather than a godly desire to honor my mother. I learned very quickly that words not only bring … [Read more...]
More power to you
Willpower! Where are you? I need you, stat! Dispatcher: 911. What’s your emergency? Me: I’ve been cutting back on dairy and gluten and the waitress at this breakfast place just asked if I would like a side of gravy. And I would. I really, really would. Dispatcher: Ma’am, this is not a real emergen— Me: It’s white gravy and I will have a stomachache for three days! Dispatcher (sighing): I think you can power through it. How about you ask for some salsa for your eggs instead? Me: … [Read more...]
Don’t neglect your duty
I was sitting in church the other Sunday. I do not typically do that, as I often either preach at a church or stream a service online from my own living room as I have done for the last year or so. Nevertheless, this Sunday, I was listening as the preacher was speaking from Hebrews chapter 2. He was talking about the dangers of drifting away from the Gospel. I know he said more than that, but I started drifting away in my own mind as I began to create a sermon of my own (Sorry … [Read more...]
A view from above
As president, I have the privilege and responsibility to point Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries to where we are going. This is the visionary aspect of leadership I love – and fear – because it means going into the unknown. Baptist Homes founder, Dr. Milford Riggs took a step into the unknown when he rented a home and received the Home’s first residents in 1913. Seven years later, Riggs led the ministry to build the massive structure that is now the Riggs-Scott building of the … [Read more...]
The five pillars of progressivism
EDITOR’S NOTE: Katelynn Basnight is daughter to Jacob Basnight, pastor of First Baptist Church, Mt. Leonard. In the late 19th century German universities were introducing five new ideas to the world which I like to refer to as the five pillars of progressivism. They were Modernism, Evolution, Modern Psychology, Marxism, and Progressive Education. These atheistic ideas found their way to America by the early 1920s and began the process of tearing at the fabric of our Christian heritage. A … [Read more...]
Like a family, we’re in this together
Between our responsibilities at the Southern Baptist Convention, Sharon and I were able to attend the International Mission Board’s commissioning service in the Music City Convention Center. On the platform, behind a silhouette screen, was a couple briefly sharing their spiritual journey that led them to go to a nation without a gospel witness. They had counted the cost and were now willing to gratefully trust the Lord to be on mission through Southern Baptists. They were joined by 62 other … [Read more...]
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