Klemens von Metternich was one of Europe’s greatest statesmen during the 19thCentury. Both as foreign minister, and then for nearly three-decades as chancellor of the Austrian Empire, his statecraft shaped Europe and prevented numerous wars. Most consequentially, Metternich presided over the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15, which determined the post-Napoleonic configuration of Europe. His era came to be known as the “Age of Metternich.” Metternich observed that nation-states are motivated to … [Read more...]
A warning on fake news, setting the record straight
Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw does not share the same biblical worldview which I espouse. But I agree with the legendary newsman who is worried about the condition of American journalism. Southern Baptists ought to pay attention. “I think the most extraordinarily powerful tool and the most destructive development in modern life is the current media,” said the author and TV Hall of Famer in a recent interview with Artful Living magazine. He criticized the divisive nature of media and … [Read more...]
Why did we buy Windermere?
(See related stories here and here) So you might be wondering…Why would Straightway Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the Missouri Baptist Foundation, purchase a distressed campground called Windermere Baptist Conference Center? It is a reasonable question, and one in which our staff and trustees wrestled for some time. I would like to take this opportunity to attempt an explanation. In case you have not already heard, the real estate and real property of Windermere Baptist Conference … [Read more...]
Testimony: ‘God always provided!’
Some conversations are never forgotten! A poignant sentence at an impressionable time in my early teen years opened my eyes to the stewardship of my parents and the faithfulness of God. This single sentence challenged me to live responsibly as a steward of my finances. I grew up in a large family. I was the middle child with three older sisters and three younger brothers. My mother came to know the Lord as a young girl when someone in her neighborhood noticed that her family didn’t go to … [Read more...]
‘O come, O come Emmanuel’
This classic carol deserves its own mention, as it is probably one of the most sung in all of Advent and Christmastide. Featured in over 459 hymnals, it is powerful in its word and music: O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel. The fascinating aspect of this hymn is that while it has only been in the English language since 1851, it was around for way longer … [Read more...]
Telling the biblical Christmas story
One of the most anticipated seasons of the year is finally upon us. Houses are festively decorated for Christmas, shopping malls are crowded with gift seekers, and children everywhere are expectantly longing for both Christmas break and presents. As Christians enter the Christmas season, many eagerly anticipate not only the excitement of the holidays, but more importantly the significance of Christmas. Desiring to keep Christ in Christmas, Christians seek to tell the story of Christ’s birth … [Read more...]
Christ’s parable of the talents applied
One of my favorite of Jesus’ parables is the Parable of the Talents. I’m sure you know the story well. In this parable a certain Master entrusts his servants with five, two and one talent of money respectively. The servants handle the administration of their Master’s resources differently. The servants entrusted with five talents and two talents each go out and put their Master’s money to work so that when the Master returns they will not only be able to return the principle but earnings … [Read more...]
Christmas list-less-ness
I was readying for a marathon Christmas shopping session when I suddenly felt noticeably…list-less. Not tired or disinterested or anything like that. Not listless. List-less. As in, we were into December and I hadn’t made the Christmas list. Hadn’t checked it once, much less twice. What was I thinking? That list is usually taking over my life by early November, sassing me and hounding me and pitilessly bossing me around. A pushy little monster, that list. Every time I’d sit down to … [Read more...]
Children need to give
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 At Christmas time each year, thoughts turn to what we can give children to make them happy. Actually, one of the best things we can give a child is the understanding of the joy of giving. Children are often only recipients of gifts, but they need to learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive; otherwise, they will grow up thinking only of themselves. I learned the lesson of letting someone give, no matter how meager … [Read more...]
It’s time a record was shattered
Periodically, I look at my calendar and behold I have a Sunday clear. When those days occur, Sharon and I try to visit churches within an hour’s drive. I can report to you we have some great preachers and teachers of God’s Word serving wonderful churches. One of those Sundays occurred last month. We visited a delightfully friendly church where the pastor did a great job of exegetical preaching. When the service began, there were the normal announcements. This time of year there is the … [Read more...]
The truth behind Christmas
God has blessed me in so many ways throughout my life. One of the greatest blessings is that I was born into a strong Christian home, led by two life-long committed parents who loved and nurtured me and my younger brother and sister. For 38 years mom and dad demonstrated to us what it meant to be a committed, loving married couple for life and always pointed us to Jesus. Dad has gone on to Glory (in 1989), and we look forward to being reunited with him some day. Christmas for the Hinkle … [Read more...]
‘Free liberty of their own consciences’
“The King is a mortal man, and not God. Therefore, he has no power over the souls of his subjects; he has no power to make laws for their souls; he has no power to set spiritual Lords over them. If the King did have such authority, then he would be an immortal God and not mortal man. O King, do not be seduced to sin against God nor against your poor subjects by making such laws.” So reads the inscription in the front of Thomas Helwys’ A Short Declaration of the Mystery of Iniquity … [Read more...]
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