Four months pregnant with her second child, Erin (not her real name) gladly accepted the opportunity to participate in the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home’s Crisis Pregnancy Camp, even though she wasn’t interested in “this God stuff.” But as Missouri Baptist volunteers loved Erin and other unwed mothers through a weekend getaway at a Branson hotel, her heart softened. She attended classes on parenting and child nurturing, along with Bible studies. Most important, she developed … [Read more...]
What now? Reflections from John Yeats on the Supreme Court decision sanctioning same-sex marriage
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision sanctioning gay marriage comes as no surprise to me, or to many of my Missouri Baptist colleagues. As I read reactions from Christian leaders across the state and around the nation, it’s hard to avoid the angst and anger arising from their deeply held convictions. “The Supreme Court has stripped all Americans of the freedoms to debate and decide marriage policy through the democratic process,” writes one such leader. “The sacred institution of … [Read more...]
John Yeats: Back to our knees
Recurring medical developments with my precious wife, Sharon, have motivated me to rediscover a pattern of finding my knees in prayer. When you face those challenges in life that touch the deep places in your heart, you know that all of your personal creativity, intelligence and ability are completely inadequate to fix whatever you are facing. You fall to your knees with arms raised in helpless submission and with many tears you cry out to the Lord. Desperation is when you have exhausted … [Read more...]
This could be the year
In a most passionate way, Dr. Ronnie Floyd is convening Southern Baptists to seek the Lord for revival and spiritual awakening. The urgency of the hour is evident to anyone who cares about life and liberty. The entire agenda of the SBC Annual Meeting is new. We cannot do business as usual. While there is business to do, the need of the hour is what happens starting Tuesday evening when Dr. Floyd and several other key leaders call God’s people to repentance and prayer. Authentic revival … [Read more...]
Perspective Lenses
I was born with a special condition shared by many men (like 1 out of 100). It is technically called green-red dichromatic vision or color blindness. My parents were somewhat familiar with the condition because of my mom's brothers. However, very early in my preschool days, I would bring home from church my own Crayon landscape pictures that celebrated God's creation. I was so proud of my artistic abilities and mom would affirm my accomplishments by displaying them in the kitchen. Only … [Read more...]
The problem of too many pastors-less churches
“Dr. Yeats, I have 237 pastors-less churches on my list.” As I rode down the elevator, the administrative assistant for MBC’s pastoral ministries shared with me this disheartening news. It broke my heart to hear that one out of eight Baptist churches in the heartland are without a shepherd to lead the congregation. I thought, “That is too many pastors-less churches.” As I reflected on the number, the thought of these men of God, who experienced forced termination or resigned out of … [Read more...]
What goes around, comes around
All a man’s ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives. Proverbs 16:2 HCSV On more than one occasion, I have participated in a purge of my library. There are just some books I can’t afford to keep around anymore. From my perspective, they aren’t classics and the information is attainable online. In that process, I came across several books that were published over 40 years ago by Broadman Press, the publishing arm of the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay). … [Read more...]
HIS Opportunity
Looking for a summer mission project? It is not too late to jump on board with the HIS project this summer in Fargo, ND, June 19-22. You could join the HIS ride! The Baptist Bikers and their friends are starting at Midwestern Seminary with a BBQ. If you are biking, you need to register at mobaptist.org. As they go north, they are stopping in several I-29 cities to pray, to witness and distribute Bibles. Remember, you don’t have to have a bike to make the ride. I am personally planning … [Read more...]
Immensely Blessed
This week I came across a striking observation. As citizens of the United States, we are recipients of the amazing blessing of the Lord. Prior generational leaders, while not always copacetic with church leaders, were for the most part people of faith who understood the value of righteous behavior and the need to order one’s life according to biblical principles. Historically, our nation’s birth and prosperity demonstrated to the world the importance of freedom of conscience and personal … [Read more...]
On having lost the fear of the Lord
“The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:11 What does the fear of the Lord mean? When you consider the awesomeness and wonder of God, fearing the Lord is a normal response. It is an attitude of respect that acknowledges God’s identity as the Maker and Master Architect of life and history. A note in Zondervan’s NIV 2002 Study Bible says the fear of the Lord is “a loving reverence for God that includes submission to His lordship in all things and … [Read more...]
Time to push ‘Pause’
What will it take for American Christians to stop doing what we are doing and stand up for God’s righteousness in such a fashion that the enemy quivers in fear? I fear it will take more than the media images showing the barbaric practices of zealots who have no qualms about killing men, women and children for being followers of the Lord Jesus. One of the reasons we won’t stop is because the demanding nature of the pace of life. We are so busy it inhibits our capacity to make good value … [Read more...]
Cultivating financial faithfulness
As a preparation for a meeting in Nashville next week with the SBC Executive Committee, I was reminded about the need to train generations with faithful giving patterns. The sustainability of Southern Baptist ministries throughout this nation and the world depend significantly on our passion to make fully devoted followers of Christ who understand the importance of Jesus being Lord of all, including our finances. A couple of years ago, I wrote the following article to accentuate the … [Read more...]
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