By now, many homes and churches are sporting an advent wreath, a greened-wreath typically containing five candles. In a majority of advent sets there are three purple candles, a white candle in the middle, and . . . a pink candle. It is not a mismatch; it has purpose. Before I discuss that purpose, let’s review the season of Advent. Advent means “coming.” The celebration of advent started around the fourth century A.D. in northern Europe in the Gaul area (it didn’t seem to be celebrated in … [Read more...]
Hope always
“As for me, I will always have hope.” (Psalm 71:14a) Hope. Merely reading the word can stir our emotions, inspire positive thoughts and lift our spirit. Hope is what keeps us going, causes us to press forward even in the face of hardship or despair, and prevents us from giving up on ourselves or others regardless of past disappointments or current circumstances. Hope is life-giving and life-sustaining. Human flourishing requires hope. When coupled with the word “eternal,” the two-word … [Read more...]
Parental control issue will be front, center for ‘22
As we conclude another year by celebrating the birth of Jesus, America’s future seemingly hangs in the balance. Whether we become one thing or another may well depend on how we react in the days ahead. Our decisions are sure to impact generations to come. As I think about the coming year and the challenges it will present, I can think of none more important than parental control of their children. Mask/vaccination mandates, gender identity programming, uni-sex restrooms and school … [Read more...]
An opportune time?
“Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.” – Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJV I was born during the Great Depression. I can remember occasionally being awakened at night with a loud boom! My dad always put the shotgun beside his bed at night in case he heard a commotion in the chicken house. If he did hear something, he would go outside, shoot the shotgun up in the air to scare away anyone who might be trying to steal chickens. You … [Read more...]
‘Mind the gap’ for retirement
If you’ve ever been in the United Kingdom, you are likely familiar with the phrase “Mind the Gap.” For those who have not heard this warning in person, as a precautionary measure for subway travelers, a female voice alerts passengers to be alert when they cross the threshold or gap between train and platform. Wouldn’t it be great if a voice would say, “Mind the Gap” when it comes to preparing the final season of our earthly life? According to Forbes, 55% of Americans are or will struggle … [Read more...]
Turn over the work attitude
Hear me out. A blanket fort. Only instead of blankets, puff pastry. Slumber party—and in the morning? Turnovers! I’d work on that fort. I came up with this idea while pondering whether there is anything in the world that would not be better with puff pastry on top of it. Or under it. Or wrapped all around it. Turnovers have to be the best puff pastry application ever. A turnover is like a pie…that you don’t have to share. All wrapped up in flakey layers. How brilliant. Incidentally, I can … [Read more...]
Always keep the main thing the main thing
We live in undeniably polarizing times. We often know more of what people oppose than what they support. This polarization has entered the church as Christians often divide into various ideological camps. Perhaps the most surprising division hasn’t come from convictional differences but from methodological ones. Rather than disagreeing on biblical principles, we’ve found ourselves disagreeing on pragmatic solutions. Whereas once we divided solely on biblical convictions, anymore we divide … [Read more...]
Plan your generosity for the gospel
It was a stereotypical Monday morning. I filled my plastic Missouri Baptist Foundation logoed cup with water and placed it on my desk. I opened my computer to start the daily tasks. I carefully reached over to move my cup further away so I would not knock it over. But I immediately knocked it over! The water, of course, went everywhere. I quickly moved the computer to higher ground and began limiting the floodwaters. Unfortunately, some papers I deemed less critical were sacrificed as … [Read more...]
Grateful for a good night of sleep
Thanksgiving can help you sleep better. We’re not talking about the holiday, although you might think so because many take a nap on Thanksgiving afternoon. Yes, their stomachs are full from a huge feast or because they just downloaded a huge dose of L-tryptophan in the turkey. But, there may be another reason. They paused in their busy lives to stop and reflect on all the good things in their lives and were even peripherally grateful to God for their blessings. No, not only is giving … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving memories never to be forgotten
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” – Unknown Some of my fondest Thanksgiving memories are as a child hunting rabbits with Dad on Uncle Paul’s farm just north of Nashville, Tenn. We hiked across fields of brown fescue, contented with not seeing Bugs Bunny scamper across a red clay ditch, zig-zagging for self-preservation sake. There stood Dad, hound dogs barking, at the ready with DaddyHink’s (Granddaddy Hinkle) Stevens .16-gauge shotgun that … [Read more...]
Probation: an opportunity to clarify
Just hearing the word “Probation” throws your mind into a judicial framework of a person not sentenced to incarceration but to a sentence with regulated activities on the “outside.” For the younger at heart, they may remember their moms pronouncing, “Alright young man, into the corner you go for a time out!” While the restraints are not fun at the moment, people become better people because of the discipline. As you read this issue of The Pathway you can see the story released by … [Read more...]
Appreciate the gift of pastors
“And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12 (HCSB) The Apostles served as first person witnesses for Christ and were used as leaders and writers of the New Testament. The prophets’ writings still point us toward Jesus. The teachers help us apply biblical truth in the present day. But what about pastors? Pastors oversee the … [Read more...]