Periodically, I look at my calendar and behold I have a Sunday clear. When those days occur, Sharon and I try to visit churches within an hour’s drive. I can report to you we have some great preachers and teachers of God’s Word serving wonderful churches. One of those Sundays occurred last month. We visited a delightfully friendly church where the pastor did a great job of exegetical preaching. When the service began, there were the normal announcements. This time of year there is the … [Read more...]
The truth behind Christmas
God has blessed me in so many ways throughout my life. One of the greatest blessings is that I was born into a strong Christian home, led by two life-long committed parents who loved and nurtured me and my younger brother and sister. For 38 years mom and dad demonstrated to us what it meant to be a committed, loving married couple for life and always pointed us to Jesus. Dad has gone on to Glory (in 1989), and we look forward to being reunited with him some day. Christmas for the Hinkle … [Read more...]
‘Free liberty of their own consciences’
“The King is a mortal man, and not God. Therefore, he has no power over the souls of his subjects; he has no power to make laws for their souls; he has no power to set spiritual Lords over them. If the King did have such authority, then he would be an immortal God and not mortal man. O King, do not be seduced to sin against God nor against your poor subjects by making such laws.” So reads the inscription in the front of Thomas Helwys’ A Short Declaration of the Mystery of Iniquity … [Read more...]
The eye of God is on our money
For some people, the scariest verse in the Bible is Mark 12:41b: Jesus “watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury” (NIV). The thought of Jesus watching how little some of us put in the offering plate at church can be frightening. The Bible is not the only place where we are reminded that God is watching us in the realm of money. The USA one-dollar bill itself can sober us into considering the fact God is interested in our money. Look closely at the reverse side of a … [Read more...]
Three marks of true biblical manhood
America is in a crisis. I weep so often as I look around and see the staggering confusion of masculinity and manhood identity crisis. As we look at sociological data and statistics, analysts often point out the root problem in the failure of men. In our fatherless culture, many guys struggle with their identity as men to live as faithful husbands and responsible fathers; as a result, they feel alienated from God. While the world seems increasingly confused about matters as basic as … [Read more...]
Believe me: your secret is safe
The crumb tray. On a toaster. That’s a real thing. I was having breakfast with my daughter Kaley and caught a whiff of burnt toast. When we checked, though, the toast was fine. The rest of the conversation went like this. Me: I’ll bet you just need to empty the crumb tray. Kaley: The….what? Me: The crumb-catcher thing. You know. That pull-out tray that catches the breadcrumbs. It took me a couple of minutes to convince her that I wasn’t making it up. And you can guess how I … [Read more...]
MBCH offers missions, ministry opportunities
Over the years Missouri Baptist Children’s Home has expanded well beyond our roots as an orphanage. Our ministries now include: Care for Developmentally Disabled Adults Transitional Living Programs for teens Human Trafficking Rescue Pregnancy Services Community-based services including foster care, treatment family care, in-home pregnancy services, family resource development and scattered-sites transitional living. LIGHT House maternity home While we have increased … [Read more...]
Thankfulness comes from appreciation
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” – Psalm 75:1 (NKJV) It is very important to teach children to say “thank you”. It is even more important to teach them to mean it when it is said. How can we do that? One way is to help a child understand the effort put in to achieving a task that benefits the child. Study of nature also helps a child appreciate what God has done. When a child is raised by a “helicopter … [Read more...]
‘Be strong and courageous’ An all-time favorite Scripture passage for many purposeful people is Joshua 1:6-9:
An all-time favorite Scripture passage for many purposeful people is Joshua 1:6-9: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall … [Read more...]
Silencing Christians, prison ministry and politics
Homosexual advocates in Missouri are attempting to silence Christians or anyone opposed to the controversial lifestyle. City councils in Columbia and Kansas City have passed laws banning therapy and counseling from a biblical, Christian perspective for people wanting to leave homosexuality, also known as “conversion therapy.” The broadly written measure also threatens parental rights as well as one’s right to freedom of speech and religion. The city councils took the action because they … [Read more...]
Christian, Feel Free to Love Politics
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The release of Disney's, High School Musical, in 2006, brought great excitement to the Richey household. My daughters watched with eager attention and I found fresh material for quality entertainment for future road trips. One song that I performed while driving is relevant to my effort in navigating today's evangelical waters. In this song, Zeke Baylor, Troy Bolton's best friend, announces, as a jock mind you, that he loves to bake. This confession exposes a secret … [Read more...]
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! No, I am not confused, I realize it is not January. But, in our world at the Missouri Baptist Foundation, our fiscal-year ends on Sept. 30. A fiscal-year is any 12-month period selected for accounting purposes. While most churches and many businesses use the calendar year, others – based on their particular business field – may choose another. We use the Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 time frame, just like the federal government, but don’t confuse us with them. Every church of … [Read more...]
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