Has it happened to you? You get that one greeting card with glitter on it—that one card—and next thing you know, your entire living room is a sparkle-palooza. Granted, I’m the kind of person who enjoys a good sparkle. Shiny makes me happy. But when I got one of those sparkly cards the other day, there was a sudden, panicked realization that there was more glitter in my living room than was ever on that card. I tried to brush it off, but it refused to be brushed. I vacuumed it. Then … [Read more...]
Reflecting on Baptist worship
I am a history nerd, especially when it comes to worship. When we realize that most denominational divides came mainly from worship, it is important that we look at what it all means. The old worship wars were intense…much more than what we have seen over the past thirty years. These were ideals that the people that would be known as Baptists lived and died for. These early worship divides were not over what you might think when you regard worship, namely music. Rather, they were over what … [Read more...]
Three lies Christians believe
We live in a fast-paced world. We only have 52 Sundays a year; we have time that requires urgency and there are things we believe that are with great urgency and priority. The latest data from Pew shows a decline in religious affiliation and belief in God among U.S. adults between 2007 and 2017. A growing portion of young, religiously unaffiliated individuals calling themselves “nones” are driving changes in Americans’ religious attitudes, reshaping the nation’s religious composition. And … [Read more...]
Keeps me stringing as I go
Back when I had to take all five of my kids shopping? I’m not going to lie. Some of those trips were…challenging. Not only did I have to try to check off all the items on my list, but I had to try to keep any and all other merchandise undamaged and in its original spot. Sometimes when you’re trying to keep five kids together in a grocery store, it feels like trying to coral baby hummingbirds. Plus I had to leave the store with the same number of hummingbirds I came in with. Preferably all … [Read more...]
Work in daylight, prepare for nightfall
So, in the house we are currently leasing, the master bedroom faces the morning sun. Which means I am very aware of the sunrise. This is not normally a big deal, as in the winter months I get up long before the sun does. But in the summer, especially on Saturdays…, well let’s just say I have no other place I need to be at 5:35 AM. This awakening is amplified by having only blinds on the windows rather than curtains where the light can be stymied from sneaking around the edges. But, I will … [Read more...]
The pleasure of ‘please’
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3 Saying “please” reflects an attitude of humility. Yes, it is easy to get in the habit of just saying it without ever thinking about why we are doing so. Even if it is done habitually, it still has value in influencing us subconsciously to make us aware that we are beholding to others for needs and wants. Children should be taught early in life to … [Read more...]
Keep your children safe in the digital age
According to a parents’ survey conducted by the US Department of Education, 98% of children have access to technology. Technology is everywhere and changes daily! It is no surprise that parents struggle to know where to find the most current information about what kids are doing online and how to keep children safe. The LIGHT House (an affiliate of MBCH Children and Family Ministries) offers a number of classes to help provide parents and children with the most up-to-date and relevant … [Read more...]
Missional moment
All across the front of the worship center, the people stood. This rural church, which 14 months ago was pastored by a dual-income pastor, had seven mission projects on the church calendar for July. Those projects included an international outreach, disaster relief response, Vacation Bible School, and children and youth camps. It was a wonderful experience to pray for them. Wait! The word “wonderful” is too inadequate. Let’s try, “Powerful!” Was it powerful because these wonderful … [Read more...]
Praise Him!
“While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” – Psalms 146:2 What we are told by society and what the Bible says often do not match. For years, teachers and parents have been told to praise children. The Bible tells us that we should praise God. A parent should be able to know when and how to praise. Children need to learn that gifts and abilities ultimately come from God, not self. There are some undesired outcomes associated with … [Read more...]
Change children’s lives by sending them to camp
Before moving into my current role at MBCH Foundation I worked as a Regional Representative for northeast Missouri and the St. Louis metro area. I loved being on the road every day and meeting with Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) supporters from all walks of life. During this time two things came to stand out to me: first, MBCH is blessed to have incredibly generous and genuinely Christ following supporters, and second, our local Missouri Baptist church leadership are unsung … [Read more...]
‘The harvest is plentiful …’
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 I was overwhelmed by the response. Last fall the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Baptist Foundation decided they wanted to demonstrate their commitment to Christian higher education and to the students. (We are so blessed to have three great Baptist Universities in our state, each led by a capable Christian scholar/administrator; plus, we have the unique benefit of an SBC Seminary in Missouri as well, and one that is … [Read more...]
God, creation and the day men walked on the moon
While enjoying a late-night snack on July 20, 1969, as a 15-year-old I joined 600 million other earthlings in watching the incredible telecast of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon. It occurred at a time in history similar to ones in which we live today. The Vietnam War was tearing at our nation, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy triggered riots as cities burned and the erotic revolution activated much of today’s sexual controversies. But for a brief … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- …
- 122
- Next Page »