“Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you.” – 2 Chronicles 30:8 (NIV) We’ve all seen the “pouty face” of children when they didn’t get their way! Not a pretty sight! However, it may be an indication that someday they may be a leader. If we can turn their desires toward pleasing God, it may actually be a good thing! According to … [Read more...]
Choosing darkness or light?
It was dark when I spotted it. Those two little gleaming eyes reflecting the light from my headlights. I slowed down and moved the car toward the side of the road. I expected to see a possum or raccoon looking back at me, but it was much smaller, a squirrel, perhaps? Finally, my brain put all the pieces together; it was a tiny kitten on the side of the road. Our cat of 15 years passed a few months ago, and I am still not over it. “Blossom,” as we called her, helped raise our boys and was a … [Read more...]
Cut short? No thank you!
I did it. I knew I shouldn’t. But I did it anyway. I cut my own hair. Sigh. More than just trimming the bangs. I whacked off all kinds of rogue parts. Parts that are now much rougue-er than before. Every time I take the scissors into my own hands, I promise myself I’ll never do it again. That’s because I end up with stray strands and Spock bangs. And yet this is definitely no way to live long and prosper. When will I let this fully sink in? I am not good at cutting hair. When I try it, I’m … [Read more...]
You can make a difference in state mission partnerships
Several years ago I was invited to join a small group of men to help lead the annual church planters retreat in Montana. I was apprehensive because our church did not have the resources to help fund the retreat in a significant way. Beyond that, I was not sure I had any particular wisdom or expertise to offer, since I was not a church planter. As I flew home after the first year much of my apprehension had disappeared. What I came to realize is that state-to-state partnerships have less to … [Read more...]
Why should we cooperate?
As a local pastor in Kentucky, I would sometimes hear a fellow pastor ask, “Wes, do you think we should continue supporting the Cooperative Program?” For me, it was always an easy answer: Yes. Despite potential concerns, and despite the latest argument on social media, I believe the Cooperative Program remains a vital tool for reaching our nation and the world for Christ. Let me briefly share three foundational reasons cooperation is so beneficial. First and foremost, our missionaries … [Read more...]
Pray for Israel, global missions, the persecuted church
A Missouri Baptist church group nearly found themselves in a war zone early last month. The group of 42 people from Heritage Baptist Church in Lebanon, Mo., flew out of Israel on Friday, Oct. 6 – just before Hamas assailants attacked Israel and sparked an ongoing war that has claimed thousands of lives. “The war started while we were in the air coming home,” Pastor Kevin Smith told me earlier this month. “We came home with full hearts, with everything we had seen and experienced,” he … [Read more...]
Engaging with MBCH to serve, grow
MBCH is committed to serving God by responding to the needs of children, youth and families to make a lasting difference in their lives. The mission of MBCH is an honorable mission and one that our entire ministry strives to fulfill as we carry out our work each day. If you re-read our mission statement in the first sentence, you will notice that it does not say that we seek to fulfill our mission all by ourselves or apart from the local church. In fact, we believe that we are to engage … [Read more...]
Making space to know God better
That trash can, ya’ll. I’m sure I can do it. I’m always absolutely sure I can shove one more thing in there. It doesn’t matter that it’s already overflowing, or that I have to quick-catch some flyaway plastic wrap and wrangle an escaping tea bag resting on some soggy junk mail. I win if I can squeeze in one more thing. I guess the big question is: how many “one more things” can I shove in? My personal kitchen trash can is ever the clown car of wastebaskets. When it comes to squeezing in … [Read more...]
Are your ‘reasons’ actually excuses?
So, I recently received a notice in the mail. No, it was not my reminder that I have a dental appointment coming up. Neither was it a rate increase from an insurance company or that I won a million dollars. It was better than that. It was a summons for jury duty. I have never received a jury duty summons; my wife, however, has served three times. Many of you have already been privileged to fulfill your civic duty before, but I did not know what to expect; I was a little excited and a bit … [Read more...]
The downsize
There are some things you don’t think about too much when you announce you’re transitioning to a new ministry. One is your library. After more than 53 years of ministry, I have accumulated a few books. I’ve had the privilege of either church-provided space or, as a state missionary, I enjoyed a separate room filled with shelves attached to my office for my library. That didn’t count the books Sharon and I collected that we used for personal study, or to provide for our sons when we were … [Read more...]
On cats, dogs and the paradoxes of happiness
This evening, as I began writing my editorial, a white Shih Tzu with patches of sandy fur stood on his hind legs, set his paws on my recliner and stared up at me. Unable to resist, I picked him up and set him next to me in the chair. He has now nestled his small, warm body against my leg and has drifted off to sleep. He’s an affectionate little puppy, the runt of a litter, and his name is Bear. Now, Bear isn’t our dog. We’re actually dog-sitting for family members, as we do every chance we … [Read more...]
MBCH helps churches protect the vulnerable
by Angie Gentry, FRD/TFC Supervisor, MBCH Children and Family Ministries When church leaders and parents learn that one in ten children are sexually abused before they turn eighteen and ninety percent of children are abused by someone they know and trust, the safety of children becomes a top priority for churches everywhere, yet many churches do not have a plan in place to ensure the safety of their children. MBCH Children and Family Ministries can help churches across the state to … [Read more...]
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