In his book, The Media in America, John Tebbell observes: “the media ... have been prime shapers of our culture and political development, to an extent never witnessed in human history.” Christians are rightly concerned with the media today that is committed to advancing a moral and social agenda that flies in the face of Biblical teaching. Take for example the Nov. 16 Kansas City Star article headlined, “Legally married same-sex couples won’t be allowed to stay together at City Union … [Read more...]
New rifle and scope, but missing the mark
A buddy and I headed to the gun range the other day so I could show off my new rifle. I’d spent quite enough money on the rifle and scope, so I decided to save a few bucks by mounting the scope while sitting at the kitchen table instead of paying a professional to do the work. We warmed up with my buddy’s rifle, a tried-and-true beauty built from a 77-year-old German Mauser. He’s a far better marksman than I am, but I was hitting the target within 2 inches of my point-of-aim at 100 yards, … [Read more...]
Grateful Beyond Measure
“Your PET scan is clear.” When you’re facing the prospect of melanoma cancer cells exploding within your body, that is amazing news to hear. That is exactly what my Sugarbabyluv, my Sharon, was told this week. We are so grateful for the host of friends in Missouri and across the nation who took hold of the altar of God and pleaded for her healing. Thank you for being intercessors on our behalf. Using surgery, radiation, dietary changes and faith to address the tumor and rogue cells, we … [Read more...]
Turning in thanks to God
“ And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” What a sweet, warm feeling it is when a child spontaneously grabs a mom or dad and exuberantly says, “Thanks!” Everyone is smiling and feeling good for the moment. The child is like the leper who ran back to Jesus and glorified … [Read more...]
Drama princess plays the percentages
My daughter just gave me a test on Facebook. I got a 67. So it’s official. According to the test, I am: “67% princess.” I wasn’t even surprised. There’s not much I won’t glitter or bedazzle and I’m all too okay with people serving me. I was a little bothered that after the test I didn’t win a tiara or anything—because seriously, that was an impressively high score. But the most troubling part? It was wrestling with the next obvious question: So what is the other 33% of me made of? I … [Read more...]
Time pastors run for public office
Time will tell whether the unconstitutional action of issuing subpoenas of sermons by Houston, Texas Mayor Annise Parker will become a watershed moment in the history of our nation. For sure it further demonstrated how America is flirting with tyranny and moral bankruptcy. A change in direction is needed and perhaps it will serve as a wake-up call to the Church to get involved in politics with renewed vigor. Before I go any further, let me offer this warning: God’s kingdom is not of this … [Read more...]
Evangelism strategy for churches
Churches with an evangelism strategy have many more baptisms, some 60 percent more. The key is to be intentional and specific seeking the Lord’s leading in planning. Step One: Research lostness Internal assessment: I recommend Map Church sponsored by NAMB. It is a great diagnostic tool, and it’s free. It is similar to LifeWay’s Transformation Church diagnostics. Online at www.mapchurch.org. Use it to look for gaps in equipping/discipling among segments of members – missiology, doctrine, … [Read more...]
Five things to remember about Baptists and the gay issue
Every morning, the Wall Street Journal arrives at my office. I read it to capture a relatively balanced view of cultural trends and financial markets in the U.S. and the world. Needless to say, I was shocked that the Journal ran articles about Southern Baptists and Apple Corporation’s Tim Cook on the same page. Interestingly, Cook’s “coming out” announcement was actually verification of old news. Running a story about Southern Baptists above the fold was a shock. The headline read, … [Read more...]
What does the Word-Faith movement teach?
This is the second in a five-part series on the Prosperity Gospel. The central teaching of the errant Word-Faith movement is that God wills your prosperity and health; therefore, to be a Christian in poverty or ill health is to be outside the will of God. There is great diversity within the Word-Faith movement, but below are doctrines that most prosperity teachers embrace. Please keep in mind that these are false doctrines, which we address in future columns. For a more in-depth … [Read more...]
Congress must act, end judicial tyranny
Federal judges have invalidated the will of millions of Americans who voted to amend their state constitutions to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman. I am shocked at the lack of outrage no matter where you stand on the issue. These judges have robbed citizens of the sacred right of voting and upset the balance of powers between the judicial, legislative and executive branches of government. These federal judges are not elected and are given lifetime appointments, often by … [Read more...]
What is the Word-Faith movement?
This is the first in a five-part series on the Prosperity Gospel. Does God want me rich? Can my words create reality? Are human beings little gods? Almost without exception, leaders of today’s Word-Faith movement answer these questions with a resounding, “Yes!” While elements of the Word-Faith movement are as old as first-century false teachings, the so-called Prosperity Gospel has borrowed from the more recent “mind sciences” and radical Pentecostalism to become a leading form of … [Read more...]
Is divorce equivalent to homosexuality?
This week my denomination, through its executive committee, voted to “disfellowship” a congregation in California that has acted to affirm same-sex sexual relationships. This sad but necessary move is hardly surprising, since this network of churches shares a Christian sexual ethic with all orthodox Christians of every denomination for 2,000 years. One of the arguments made by some, though, is that this is hypocritical since so many ministers in our tradition marry people who have been … [Read more...]
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