Umar Mulinde grew up in a strict Muslim home in Uganda. His grandfather was an imam (religious leader), and Umar was trained in Islamic thought, which went unchallenged until he left home for college. One Sunday Umar visited a church for the first time and was so impressed with the gospel that he surrendered his life to Christ. Three Muslim friends saw him leave the church and attacked him. He assumed the beatings would stop. He was wrong. In time, Umar preached in a church that … [Read more...]
Let’s celebrate the past and the present, too
I’m so glad the pastor invited me to participate in his church’s 190th anniversary. Can we even begin to imagine the kingdom impact of a rural congregation over the course 19 decades of ministry? Think about the total number of people saved and baptized or the number of Vacation Bible School cookies eaten on the premises or the total number of chickens that were fried for all the church luncheons. The numbers are unfathomable. The drive to this worship service was breathtakingly … [Read more...]
New website ready, let’s chat in KC
I hope you are making plans to attend the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) annual meeting in Kansas City Oct. 28-30. There will be tremendous preaching, singing and praying. MBC team leaders have been given the privilege of offering the prayers at this year’s meeting. I have the privilege of offering Tuesday evening’s (Oct. 29) invocation. It promises to be a great time of fellowship, too. One of the great things about the annual meeting is renewing acquaintances and meeting Pathway … [Read more...]
Being like armadillos, we must cross the road
Driving from Springfield to Poplar Bluff late one afternoon I counted seventeen dead armadillos along the way. Now this was quite exciting to me since I have always lived on the eastern side of this great country of ours. Armadillos are one thing we didn’t have. Counting them was a way to stay awake and alert. I was intrigued by them. I told my husband, Mark, that I was going to stop the car and inspect one closer if I could find one that “looked fresh.” This task proved impossible. What is … [Read more...]
October: A great time to bless our pastors
Several decades ago a movement started to use October as a month to bless your pastor and/or staff members. According to Ephesians 4, a pastor’s role is to equip people in the church and encourage church members to reach their godly potential. This is both the most satisfying and daunting task you could ever imagine. A pastor can lead the flock of God but he cannot make the sheep consume all that God has for them. That is the role of the great motivator, the Holy Spirit. There are days in … [Read more...]
Too many Missourians are experiencing hunger
Southern Baptists love to eat. I have always argued that cooking extraordinaire Paula Deen has nothing on Southern Baptist ladies. If you know me you know I am a living testimony to that delicious fact. No one can find more tasty fried chicken, more mouth-watering hash brown casserole or more lip-smacking pecan pie than at a Southern Baptist picnic where the ladies of the church have brought their cooking talents to bear on us all. But not everyone is so blessed. I’m reminded of a story my … [Read more...]
‘Woo pig! Soooie!’
There is a story about an Arkansas pig farmer told by Ron Dunn, the international Bible teacher and pastor of a previous generation whose message continues through his books and recently released biography. During the days of Ron’s boyhood, he and his family lived in Arkansas, where “hog calling” is an art form. You may have heard about the hog calling competitions where both men and women belt out at the top of their lungs, “Woo pig! Sooooooie! Woooooooo pig!” Now that the University of … [Read more...]
The convenience of blaming God
When our kids were young and complained about being on the wrong side of circumstances, my wife and I urged them to repeat this line: “When things go badly for me, it’s usually my fault.” In other words, we challenged our son and daughter to own their part of a bad experience. If a teacher singled them out from a group of misbehaving students, they were to understand that their behavior was wrong, whether done individually or in a group. If they got into an argument with a friend, they … [Read more...]
Choosy folks choose wisdom
Ice cream is beautiful. I don’t see any reason to scream for it, but I have no problem asking for it—even if I have to get a little loud. Every once in a while I just have to have something cold, creamy and beautifully calorically corrupt. The choice is never difficult. It’s got to be chocolate. But I remember when the kids were younger, sometimes the choosing was no small deal for them. There was one time in particular when Daniel was around 12, he took a good ten minutes to … [Read more...]
Be very careful because anger can sting
It was the wasp nest to end all wasp nests. Maybe it was the fruit punch the kids had spilled on the back deck that first attracted them. But by the time we followed the cloud of bugs to the back of the house – oh, my goodness – it was the biggest nest I’d ever seen. It was obvious these bugs had already finished an adjoining guest house and were beginning construction on the stables and tennis courts. I’ll just tell you flat out that anytime a nest is bigger than my head, I automatically … [Read more...]
A brief quiz on world religions
What do you know about world religions and cults? Do you know the difference between Scientology and Christian Science? Buddhism and Baha’ism? Rastafarianism and Ralph Laurenism? (Okay, I made that one up). Here’s a chance to test your knowledge. The correct answers are at the end of the quiz. Which of the following is not a Hindu scripture: a) Rig Veda b) Sama Veda c) Yajur Veda d) Darth Veda True or false: Islam is the second largest religion in the world – and one of the fastest … [Read more...]
Towards a more powerful testimony
In my ministry, I often hear well-intentioned men and women give their testimony. Is there a better way? How is it possible to improve upon one’s personal experience with Jesus? We live in a time when people are complimented for even sharing their faith! But what happens when we spend too much time on the “before Christ” part and the moment of salvation is unfortunately muted, stunted, and offers no handles that a lost person can grab? Helping others have a clear path to Christ is the … [Read more...]
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