While driving to our son’s house, my wife and I encountered a traffic jam that was identified on my traffic app as “bottleneck ahead.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a bottleneck is “a problem that delays progress.” That was sure true on that day, as traffic went from an average of 70 mph to a standstill. For several miles we never exceeded 6 mph, and most of the time was spent making no progress whatsoever. What caused the bottleneck was bridge repairs that rendered one of two … [Read more...]
Dilemma of Halloween
“…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – I Samuel 16:17 (NIV) Halloween presents a dilemma for Christian parents. Do they really want their children celebrating a holiday that was begun by people who were not worshiping our Lord? Not only that, the history of Halloween has many undesirable things associated with it. Yet, is it fair to a child to restrict them from enjoying what seems so harmless … [Read more...]
Defrosting a prayer life
I wonder how many times I’ve given up on trying to decide what to have for lunch and resignedly pulled out the peanut butter. Or before I can even pull out the peanut butter, I find that last, half-eaten donut. Goodbye, dignity. Hello, lunch. Pray for me because it happens at dinner too. It’s rather sad that I sometimes can’t even be bothered to thaw out a lasagna. Maybe someone should invent a lasagna popsicle. Lasagnasicle? Not sure why that sounds gross, but ew. What if it was more of … [Read more...]
Don’t be N.A.I.V.E about Amendment 3: Christian ethicist urges a ‘No’ vote on legalizing recreational marijuana in Missouri
EDITOR'S NOTE: J. Alan Branch serves as professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. During their annual meeting in St. Charles, Oct. 24-25, Missouri Baptist messengers approved a resolution opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana. "... [W]e desire to protect the people of Missouri from the dangers of state-legalized recreational marijuana by urging a vote of 'No' on the measure entitled Amendment 3 on the November 8, 2022 Missouri … [Read more...]
Tax credits: A great way to advance the Kingdom
For years, the MBCH Children and Family Ministries (MBCH-CFM) and The LIGHT House have had access to Missouri state tax credits. These tax credits were approved and continue to be approved by the Missouri state legislature and governor because they are a way for state government to come along side private nonprofits to provide much needed services. Tax credits allow Missouri donors to qualifying nonprofits to give more with a greater tax benefit. Now MBCH-CFM and The LIGHT House have some … [Read more...]
Got a lot on your plate?
Buffet strategies. I have them. Mostly they fail, but I have them. Stratagem one: load up the plate on the first go-round so I don’t have to go back. But guess what. I always have to go back. It’s a buffet. The beauty of the buffet is that you get to go back. Again. And then again. And then, two belt-notches later, again. Don’t we all feel compelled to eat our money’s worth? So: one more time again. And again. One plate? That’s an illusion. So from here on out, I don’t even bother … [Read more...]
You don’t want to miss this moment
If you’re a dad and granddad, as I am, you have incredible opportunities to pour your life into your children and grandchildren. Together, we are compelled by love to invest time and energy in shaping their lives for success in life. Most parents try really hard to be at every ball game, school play, and other expressive activities. Many parents engage further by coaching or immersing themselves in the interests of their children. There are a host of ways parents can disciple their children … [Read more...]
‘The Pathway’ shares good news in a world gone wrong
Nine years ago, The Pathway’s late founding editor Don Hinkle (1954-2022) invited me into a friendship I’ll always treasure and into the adventure of Southern Baptist state newspaper work. Despite appearances, producing any single edition of The Pathway since that time has involved us in an escapade. Writing a century ago about newspaper work, author and journalist G.K. Chesterton depicted humorously the excitement and daring of the task: “Nothing looks more neat and regular than a … [Read more...]
The principles that guide us
Three years ago this September, I was asked to consider serving as interim president for Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries. When I inquired about the ministry’s guiding principles—documents such as the organizational mission, vision and values, I received several blank stares. One person I spoke with said, “I think we have those in a binder.” In the words of Apollo 13 astronaut John Swigert, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” Imagine being asked to meet a friend at noon on Friday at … [Read more...]
The gospel and student loan forgiveness
The federal government recently moved to forgive some portion of collegiate student loans for qualified borrowers. Though this policy ought to be analyzed from an economic and political viewpoint, Christians would be wise to consider it from a biblical standpoint. Should Christians support this policy because of the gospel, as some have suggested? Is student loan forgiveness an accurate application of biblical grace, forgiveness, and justice? More important than getting a federal policy … [Read more...]
From the archives – ‘The burning question: Why do I wear bow ties?’
EDITOR’S NOTE: This editorial – a favorite among Pathway team members – was originally published in the Oct. 11, 2016, print edition of The Pathway. A memorial service has been scheduled to celebrate the life of The Pathway's founding editor, Don Hinkle, who went home to be with the Lord last week. The service will take place on Friday, Sept. 30, at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., at 11:00 a.m. I really shouldn’t do this, but I am going to be transparent. Transparency is not … [Read more...]
‘See ya later, Good Friend’
The presses were up and running and I had just returned to my Oklahoma editor’s desk. Stella, my admin assistant said I had a call from the Missouri Baptist executive director. The conversation went something like this: “John, who is out there who could help us launch a new state paper here in Missouri?” It did not take me long to collect my thoughts and say, “The list is short, and few are conservative enough, experienced enough to lead a sustainable publication. The top of my list is … [Read more...]