“Charity suffereth long, and is kind;…” I Corinthians 13:4 (KJV) Most parents would probably respond, “Of course I do!” if asked if they love their children. They may even feel a little indignant that they were asked. However, when we apply the Biblical standards of love, it is doubtful that many parents truly love their children. As an example, take the verse that says that love suffers long and is kind. Unfortunately, there are many parents who may resent being interrupted by a child … [Read more...]
Great works require faithful support
John Thornton was the wealthiest businessman in England. He also loved Jesus. A friend said of Thornton, “I never knew a person that lived so near to God.” Thornton had a preacher/friend who wrote hymns. Many of these songs moved Thornton so deeply that he decided to pay to have a hymnal published. The most known song in the book, Hymn #41, was “Amazing Grace”, which became the most famous hymn in world history. Just think, we would have never known of Rev. John Newton’s wonderful song had … [Read more...]
Delusions, illusions, better conclusions
Opinions. I have them. Oh, how I have them. Loud ones and high ones. Colorful and wry ones. I try to make sure I come up with three or four good opinions to have on standby—just in case somebody asks for one. I’m not at all talking about “informed” opinions. Those are in an entirely different category. Informed opinions require research and contemplation. Reason and thinky stuff. Probably charts and graphs. That sounds like work. Plus, if you get too informed on a topic, seems to me you no … [Read more...]
Preventing abuse in the Body of Christ
I just returned from the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee meeting in Nashville. While there was much significant business to conduct, the issue of sexual and physical abuse continues to be a significant part of the conversation. On the first day of our meeting, Monday, Feb. 17, yet another story appeared on USA TODAY’s front page. This is not just a national issue. As Missouri Baptists, we are waking up to the truth that our 1,800 affiliated churches are not immune from … [Read more...]
SBU allegations against trustee untrue
As we were wrapping the last article of this issue of The Pathway, a disturbing story appeared that, as editor, I would be remiss in not communicating to our readers. On Feb. 22, responding to a Facebook post, SBU President Eric Turner posted a message on the university’s website announcing that “a newly elected trustee may have mishandled child sexual abuse allegations against one of his staff members in 2005.” Reports quickly surfaced that Turner was referring to Mike Roy, who was … [Read more...]
A call for more diversity within MBC
At the core, the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) should be a missionary organization, linking churches together for the cause of the Great Commission. This means that The Missouri Baptists must have a heart for lostness in our state, and must mobilize to preach Christ, plant churches, and impact neighborhoods in our multi-cultural state. We must realize the depth of the need for Gospel impact that exists in the urban centers of our state, cities defined by the density of population and … [Read more...]
The promise of future grace for today’s trials
Statistically, January is the most disliked month of the year. For most of us January is a dreary month full of cold, holiday let-down. Factoring in that January has the highest death rate, it’s not hard to see why people don’t care for the first month of the year. However, January has a unique ability of bringing out the same desire in each of us – a longing for something greater than the present. January is truly God’s yearly grace for Christians to faithfully serve in the present and to … [Read more...]
Overcoming our thinkin’ problem
It has been said that country music is just “three chords and the truth.” Now I am not sure who “they” are, but I wholeheartedly agree. In all the opening lines of country music, David Ball’s 1994 song must sit at the top of the list for truth. The song begins, “Yes, I admit… (with the prototypical nasal tonality I might add) I’ve got a thinkin’ problem.” Mr. Ball hits upon the gravest of all problems, a thinkin’ problem. I was forced to review this problem recently while preparing a … [Read more...]
What you should do for a Valentine date
By the end of the week, millions of Valentine cards will be bought and sold to express our love and care for people in our sphere of relationships, especially our spouses. For married couples, there is something that has better impact on intimacy than a Valentine card or a pre-paid Master Card. We learn this activity from the Lord Jesus. When Jesus interacts with people, what does He do to peel back the veneer and get to the heart of an issue or the depth of personal persona? He asks … [Read more...]
Don’t let envy be our poison ivy
I love yard work. I never lack amazement at the grandeur of God’s creation – even in my rocky backyard. But amidst the beauty of it all, I do not understand it all. For example, I have yet to discover any value in poison ivy. Once I get a little, it quickly turns into a lot – of misery. The spreading blisters and itching can last for weeks. I’m itching now, just thinking about it. It is the same way with poison envy. I say poison because envy is just that to our lives. Once it gets on us … [Read more...]
Reputation affects relationships
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. – Proverbs 22:1 (NKJV) We seldom think about children having a reputation, but they certainly do! I clearly remember teachers talking about children during the years I taught in public school. “I heard you got ____ this year! Good luck! He is really hard to handle!” “________was always late for class! Those parents always complained about the teacher. They didn’t seem to do much to … [Read more...]
The SECURE Act may impact your retirement
My father recently gave me a picture of my grandfather with a golf iron in his hand hitting a loaf of Weber’s Bread. It was 1975, and he was retiring after 26 years of employment with Weber Bread in Southern California and prior with Colonial Bread in Arkansas. Papa lived another 28 years on a modest retirement income until he passed away at the age of 91. He was able to live comfortably, care for himself, enjoy his two sons and his six grandchildren, and regularly enjoyed prime seats … [Read more...]
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