Missouri Missions Offering Remember growing something from seeds as a science experiment in school? In most of those science experiments, as in most of our own planting of flowers or fruits, the seed pack has a picture of what is produced by the seeds we plant. The Bible promises us that the seeds we sow in faith for the kingdom of God will also produce a crop. We don’t always know what that kingdom crop will look like. The faithful men and women who are planting churches and doing … [Read more...]
John Yeats: Sometimes you just gotta strut your stuff
Every so often, I get wind of something very special. Something that cooperative Missouri Baptists do that just knocks your socks off (please excuse the colloquialism). The very day I wrote this column, I spent the morning with our state missionaries and the MBC support staff. I heard testimony after testimony of ministry with churches of every size and method. Some churches were engaging in VBS, Super Summer, youth camps, international mission trips, North American mission projects, new … [Read more...]
Eight things the Supremes will never change
Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court may change American culture through their opinions that overrule the legality of an opinion expressed by the majority of a state’s population. Or their opinions may be the culmination of a movement to redefine marriage and normative sexual behavior. However, there are some things that do not change and will never change no matter what their black-robed opinions may imply to the general population. God remains who He is. His opinion about His creation … [Read more...]
JOHN YEATS: Juvenilization is a challenge to spiritual maturity
I’ve learned a new word –Juvenilization. I never thought of this as a legitimate word or a concept until recently when my son, who is a pastor in Texas, called and said, “Dad, you have to read this book! I’m leading my staff through it.” The book? The Juvenilization of American Christianity by Thomas E. Bergler. As a student of history, I found it a fascinating read. Thomas Bergler is a Midwest historian. His work is primarily a mosaic history about the impact of modern youth ministry in … [Read more...]
When God transforms our ‘Whys?’ into ‘What’s’
I knew my copy was soon to arrive. When it came, I ripped open the packaging and there it was, Ron Dunn: His Life and Mission by Ron Owens. My understanding is that the nationwide release occurs this month at the Southern Baptist Convention in Houston. No one knew how to ask the pointed questions about the journey with God through difficult moments like Ron Dunn. God used him to impact many struggling people with the clarity of the Word of God. The recent television images of storm damage … [Read more...]
Habits of godly leaders
In my last column I listed five habits that godly leaders possess that I think separate them from the crowd. Here, I will list five more. I also encouraged you to weigh in with your observations at www.JohnYeats.net. Please share your additional thoughts at the same web address and join the conversation. As a quick recap, here are habits 1-5. Godly leaders: 1. Face each day with a priority mindset. 2. Make daily Bible reading and prayer indispensible in their lives. 3. Hold wisdom in high … [Read more...]
John Yeats: Habits of godly leaders
What do godly leaders practice that set them apart from other leaders? Godly leaders may be observed in every walk of life: pastors, plumbers, farmers, homemakers, clerical assistants, medical professionals, executives, students, academicians. You name it; there are godly leaders in every sphere of life who make a difference. I’ve observed a few common habits that godly leaders possess that I think separate them from the crowd. This is not a researched list of habits – just some … [Read more...]
John Yeats: Could we be limiting God with unfaithfulness?
We love David: the shepherd boy who became king. David was the giant slayer. He was the singer, songwriter and poet of Scripture. He was the man after God’s own heart. He wasn’t perfect by any measurement. Sin was included in his history. He had a dysfunctional family, too. Because David is such a hero in Scripture we forget how ordinary he was. When we first meet him he is tending his father’s sheep. His first assignment was to carry the king’s armor; his second was to play music to … [Read more...]
Yeats: Time for sackcloth, humbly calling out to God for revival
Robert E. Coleman writes in The Coming World Revival, “To a remarkable degree, revivals have molded the course of the church in America. Peter G. Mode of the University of Chicago says that ‘more than any other phenomenon, they have supplied the landmarks of our religious history.’ William Warren Sweet has characterized revivals as ‘cascades in the stream of the church, recreating the main course of its waters.’ Were it not for these seasons of refreshing during critical periods when the … [Read more...]
JOHN YEATS: Wishing I was younger; keys to marriage longevity
The story is told by Zig Ziglar after his 44th wedding anniversary that his wife looked at him one day and said, “Honey, I wish I was younger.” “Why?” Zig replied, thinking about the adventure of four decades of marriage to the woman of his dreams. “If I was younger, I could be married to you even longer,” she answered. Amazing story about a couple that loved each other through some of life’s very deep valleys. Is this the kind of marriage relationship people only fantasize about? Or is … [Read more...]
YEATS: Ziglar-isms from a man who lived out his faith
On Nov. 28, a very special man went home to be with his Lord. I call him veryspecial because his wit and passion have indelibly made their mark on the canvases of our lives. Zig Ziglar, “America’s Motivator,” was a unique Christian man who was one of the most popular speakers in business circles until declining health caused him to stay closer to home. Some of his quotables or Ziglar-isms worth repeating are: • If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you’ll never end up with a nag. • … [Read more...]
JOHN YEATS: Suggestions concerning end-of-the-year giving
The sands in the annual hourglass have just about made their way into 2013. The end of 2012 may be one of the best years ever for end-of-year giving. Those with modest or significant assets are insecure about changes coming to the world of personal finances due to the friction in Washington, D.C. However, this year there are some great opportunities to invest in spreading the gospel and receive the maximum benefit. For example, there are always bold opportunities to give to your local … [Read more...]
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