The Missouri Baptist Foundation loves Missouri Baptist pastors. If you add up the years of ministry between our President Dr. Neil Franks and our Ambassadors (Dr. John Marshall and me) we represent over 100 years of pastoral ministry experience. We know the joy of preaching God’s Word and seeing people come to faith in Christ, seeing baptisms, watching people take their next step of faith, and officiating when people say, “I do”. We have lived through the grief of burying beloved friends … [Read more...]
We should acknowledge the goodness of God
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” (Psalm 105:1) Some have been saying, “Let’s hurry and get 2020 over. It’s been a bad year!” Perhaps we all need to think a little deeper and be realistic about the many blessings we have had in spite of the coronavirus. When George Washington made the first proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving, they had much more than we have to deal with now. A good reason to study history is to help us realize our current blessings. Even in my … [Read more...]
Thankful people
Quick…name a chorus or a hymn dedicated to thanksgiving. Not that easy is it? In fact, outside of a couple of the favorites that are quite old (“Give Thanks,” “We Gather Together,” “My Tribute,” “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”) I can’t think of many. We know that “thanksgiving” is different from “praise;” however, in our worship time they tend to merge into adoration. This is natural as many of the Psalms that include thanksgiving (which are many) tend to occur inside an “enthronement” … [Read more...]
‘Blessed beyond’
Periodically, someone places a few words in print that strike to the core. Steven Strauch, director of missions for the Laclede County Baptist Association in Lebanon, Mo., is battling for his life against cancer. When I saw these words, I shared with him that it is not unusual for someone facing a life-threatening illness to articulate something incredibly profound. In the context of Thanksgiving, I knew I needed to share these words with Pathway readers, so I asked for, and received, his … [Read more...]
History an essential element of a Christian worldview
“To be ignorant of what happened before you were born is to be ever a child.” – Cicero One of the passions of The Pathway staff is our love for history. Especially the history of Christianity, but also of the world, of America, of the church, of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and the Missouri Baptist Convention. Our love for history is derived from Scripture, since God is the author of history, the Alpha and Omega. I have always been interested in history. A considerable percentage … [Read more...]
Teaching tips
“…bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” –Eph. 6:4 (NKJV) During the many years I have taught both children and adults, I have learned a few techniques that have worked for me. Since so many are now teaching their children at home, perhaps sharing them would be helpful. Of course, every situation is unique. However, I have found that the following worked for me: 1.) Keep on a schedule. Schedules give security and routines help in planning time. 2.) Questions work … [Read more...]
Reflections on Veterans Day
EDITOR’S NOTE: Chaplain (Major General), U.S. Army, Retired, Douglas Carver is executive director of chaplaincy at the North American Mission Board. Carver served as the 22nd Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Army before retiring from the military and joining NAMB. ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – There is no mystery behind the endurance and the success of American liberty. It is because in every generation, from the Revolutionary period to this very hour, brave Americans have stepped forward and … [Read more...]
But wait, there’s more
Infomercials almost always worked at my house. When we were raising our five kids, I’m not sure a week went by without one of them running to me with some version of: “Mom! We have to get the Kitchen Magic Missile! It does the work of 25 kitchen tools!” I got such a kick out of the times one or another of my children could deliver the entire pitch in full-on sales voice. “It’ll make a smoothie. And it slices and dices. And who’s Julie Ann?” In all fairness, I didn’t know what “julienne” … [Read more...]
A Veteran’s Day salute to three friends, ‘Centurions’
One of the great blessings in the ministry to which God has called me is the opportunity to know a multitude of faithful brothers in Christ who are veterans, true leaders with impeccable integrity, intellectual giftedness, courage, unselfishness and loyalty. As a veteran, I have come to appreciate the observance of Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Not because I am a veteran, but because of the veterans I have had the privilege of knowing. Each were willing to give their last, full measure of … [Read more...]
God’s goodness amid an outbreak
In this column two months ago I wrote about The COVID Crisis Miracle. At that time the nation was six months into the pandemic and not a single case of the coronavirus had visited the residents or caregivers of The Baptist Home network of campuses. Then, on Oct. 1, the pandemic came to our northwest campus. The number of positive cases jumped from one to forty in a period of twelve days. That begs the question, “How does a believer reconcile months of prayer for protection from the virus … [Read more...]
Takeaways from the annual meeting of Missouri Baptists
Missouri Baptists are incredible people. The practices of the vast majority of our churches demonstrate incredible qualities that point people to the King of kings. Who or what can be compared to our Lord Jesus? When Missouri Baptists convened to hear great ministry reports, vote on cooperative budgets and policies, elect trustees for our entities, express perspective through resolutions, hear great preaching and fellowship with colleagues from across the state, we always pray for and … [Read more...]
Out with the old, in with the new
At the end of every year and beginning of a new one, a similar refrain is told – out with the old, in with the new. The difficulties of a closing year give way to the anticipation of bright new beginnings. The idea of newness opens up a world of possibilities. And yet, most of us generally tend to reject change. Fearing uncertainty and feelings of unsettledness, many of us functionally prefer to keep things just as they are – safe and unchanged. Rather than viewing change negatively, the … [Read more...]
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