Throughout the decades several analogies have been used to describe how the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) operates. One of the most often used is that of an aircraft carrier. At more than 200 million pounds, it is among the world’s largest ships (the SBC is the nation’s largest non-Catholic denomination). It takes an aircraft carrier five miles to complete a 180-degree turn. The SBC moves in much the same way, intentionally deliberative. That was once again the case in Nashville, June … [Read more...]
Home activities that teach
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) As we listen to the news each day, we can easily see that our children have missed out on much of their education this past year due to the Coronavirus. As parents, grandparents, and others, we need to do all we can to help make up for what they may have missed. There are many things we can do at home to help our children learn the things they need … [Read more...]
The call, a testimony
One June day, several years ago, even before I met Sharon, I had a special moment with God and His Word. It was a warm day at camp where the Scriptures came alive to me. It was this moment in my history when I knew that I knew the Lord was calling me to surrender my heart and life to minister in His name. In response to that deep sense of calling, I responded to an invitation by my pastor, Gerald Davidson. He was pastor of the church where my family regularly attended, First Baptist … [Read more...]
Leaked letter withheld from ERLC trustees
A letter by the former president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), claiming his ouster was employing a strategy to keep him “in psychological terror,” was leaked to a liberal news organization, but was withheld from ERLC trustees for more than a year by the board chairman. In addition, the leaked letter was withheld by ERLC Trustee Chairman David Prince from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee’s ERLC Study Task Force. The letter, written by … [Read more...]
‘I love warm and fuzzy’
I love “warm and fuzzy.” Give me all the warmth and all the fuzziest of the fuzzies and I’m usually quite happy. Unless. Unless we’re talking about my fridge. It should never be warm and I’m good with that part. But more than that, who put all this fuzzy in here? It feels like I can hardly go a day and half without opening my refrigerator and encountering some kind of green glow. Encountering? Maybe more like Geiger-counter-ing. Because surely there’s something nuclear happening in … [Read more...]
Why are new mission hymns so few?
Quick, name a recent song celebrating missions. Not so easy, is it? I was posed with the question a few months ago, “Why are there no new hymns on missions?” This is an interesting question, and the answer can truly only be speculative. However, to assert opinion, it behooves us to gather as much empirical data as possible. First, there has been a substantial drop in missions hymns in our denominational hymnal. The 1940 Broadman Hymnal had 23 hymns listed as “Missionary Hymns.” The 1974 … [Read more...]
Decoration day
While it may have started as an order from General John Logan in 1868, Decoration Day, May 30, was a day to remember those who died in military service. Some 5,000 people gathered at the military cemetery in Washington, D.C. They used flowers and streamers to decorate the grave markers of those who perished in battle. It was following a broken, divided time in the United States. Citizens were reeling from the impact of so much death during the Civil War. They needed to remember the fallen … [Read more...]
Overusing Bible passages for politics invites mayhem
Anytime a secular journalist quotes the Bible, sirens go off in my head. With surveys showing 90 percent of donations by journalists go to liberal Democrat candidates (96 percent of journalists’ donations went to Hillary Clinton in 2016, according to the Center for Public Integrity) and editorial boards advocating unbiblical behavior (support for homosexuality and abortion), we ought to take notice when a journalist uses the Bible to justify a political position. Such is the case with … [Read more...]
May is National Foster Care Month
Since 1988, the month of May has been dedicated to advocacy and awareness regarding the needs of children, youth, families and professionals whose lives are involved in the system. Although it originally began as a month dedicated to acknowledging the good works of foster parents, the mission and theme has expanded to promote overall awareness of the foster care system. Why is National Foster Care Month important? Because as believers, we know the Lord asks us to care for the least of … [Read more...]
‘One thing remains’
One thing remains… I have mentioned before that this summer is a big one for my family. My oldest son graduated from college, my youngest son graduated from high school, and my wife is finishing her PhD. In the financial world we would call that a lot of “volatility” in the markets. In the family world we call that a lot of stress. We suspect a lot is going to change. My wife and I will be empty nesters, something which we have not experienced for the last 22 years of our 27 years of … [Read more...]
Make your decision before it makes you
It has been said the best time to plant a tree was a generation ago. The second-best time is now. Nobody really likes to think about getting old. However, putting off the conversation is simply delaying a talk that needs to take place. The frustrations and fears associated with aging are not easy to discuss. A study reported by Home Instead Senior Care Network identified the top 10 aging concerns of those 55 and older. Those respondents shared the following anxieties: • Aging Fear #1: … [Read more...]
Roll out the trust in God
Homeschooling? I’ve got your math covered for you. Here’s your word problem for the day: If Johnny has 12 mega TP rolls that he adds to Junie’s 42 double-plus rolls and Anne’s 24 super mega triple rolls, how many people are wondering what ever happened to a regular roll? TP math is hard. It’s hard even before you factor double ply versus single ply into the equation. Also you should never factor that into the equation. Because, let’s think about this—is single ply a thing that should … [Read more...]
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