Have you ever been tagged—maybe trapped—in a group text? You’re begging your phone. Please, not one more notification. And your phone answers with: zzzzzt. Even worse, you go to bed early while the other 30 in your group have a night owl session. Get up the next morning, get your coffee, and get comfy. I know it’s your day off, but turn off that show you wanted to watch and don’t even think about reading a book. Because you have four thousand messages. I’m sorry, but I’ve got news for … [Read more...]
Advocates for the aging
The Baptist Home has been a sanctity of life ministry since 1913. Although many focus on abortion as the principal sanctity of life concern, Baptists affirm “the sanctity of life from conception to natural death,” (BFM2000, Article XV). Consequently, advocating for the aging, serving in a Christlike manner, and providing biblically informed resources for the family and the church relating to aging is our purpose. To do less, would be to fall short of the mandate to honor the aged … [Read more...]
Is this moment a dress rehearsal?
Walter Russell Mead wrote Aug. 4 in the Wall Street Journal a cogent article about the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sampling, “Eight months after the novel corona-virus burst out of Wuhan, China, it has created unprecedented economic and social disruption, with economies cratering across the globe and more destruction to come.” By now I was thinking COVID-19 would be harnessed and put back in its laboratory bottle and we would write about it in a history for new generations to read. While … [Read more...]
Despite circumstances, God has a plan for us
It is easy to get our eyes off the Lord when it seems like our world is coming apart at the seams. Every day challenges us to keep our faith in the Lord strong. No matter what is happening in the world or in our lives, we must trust Him because He is in control. God has had a plan for us from the beginning – and His plans are best because God knows all about them. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD,” in Jeremiah 29:11. We do not know God’s plans, but He does, Philip … [Read more...]
Part of this nutritious faith-life
I remember trying to cook up something new for dinner for my family now and then when my children were growing up. Everybody knows I’m not a cook. No one knows better than my kids. Our family’s reminiscing often goes like this: “Hey Mom. Remember that time you were trying a new recipe and then you found the word ‘blanch’ in it? So you poured us all a bowl of cereal?” I do remember. It probably snap-crackle-saved-their-lives. By the way, have you ever noticed that you can go eight months … [Read more...]
True spirit of giving
The Christ-followers at Corinth had countless problems and squabbles. My guess is, they were Baptists. The Apostle Paul, in his two letters to the Corinthians, had to deal with several difficult, controversial topics. One delicate topic Paul was brave enough to broach with them was the issue of fundraising. A key event in Paul’s fruitful ministry was the offering he collected from poor Gentiles in Asia to be given to even poorer Jewish saints in Jerusalem. Paul prayed this offering would … [Read more...]
The future of worship
As a worship leader for the past 30 years, I have read countless articles titled, “The Future of Worship.” These have typically been written by a visionary “in the industry” that has his finger on the very pulse of the now and the future. Now, we are reading many articles on “The future of...” thanks to the COVID-19 virus. As I write this, I am spending time with our church staff looking at the reopening of our sanctuary “Regathering” at Parkway Baptist Church in St. Louis. It is my … [Read more...]
The power of praise
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12 (NKJV) For several years now, we have been told by psychologists, educators, and others that we should praise children. “It is good for their self esteem”, we have been told. “It motivates children”, we have also been told. It is true that praise, given when it is truly earned, can be beneficial. However, when too much praise is given, or when praise is given undeservedly, it can also … [Read more...]
How much does your church know about MBCH?
One of the best parts of my job as an MBCH Foundation Regional Representative is speaking and preaching in Missouri Baptist churches on behalf of Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. I have been blessed to be invited into more than 45 churches annually since joining the MBCH Foundation Staff. The size and location of the churches where I speak varies widely. Some are large suburban/urban churches. Most are in the smaller rural communities that comprise our state. And, of course, several of … [Read more...]
Saying so long (and how the news makes us dumb)
The nature of journalism – particularly Christian journalism – and reporting the news – particularly as it relates to God’s people – have been on my mind lately. They’re on my mind because, after 15 years and more than 300 issues of The Pathway, I’m headed for something new and exciting. Though I’m extraordinarily sad to say goodbye to you as readers, I’m delighted to tell you I’m moving from Jefferson City to Kansas City and will soon marry my fiancée, Melissa. I covet your prayers as I … [Read more...]
Why not choose a Missouri Baptist university?
This week I came across a chart published by the Texas Medical Association on probabilities related to COVID-19. The key question was this: If you participated in certain kinds of social interaction, what would be the probability, on a scale of 1-10, of acquiring the virus and spreading it to others? Granted, the measurement is ranked by physicians predominately in metro areas of Texas where COVID-19 is raging. For example, on the chart you will find that grocery shopping is a 3, while … [Read more...]
Missourians should vote NO on Amendment 2
Missouri voters should vote NO on Amendment 2 on Aug. 4. Amendment 2 is an expansion of Obamacare, another sneaky effort to expand taxpayer-funded abortions and bankrupt the state. This socialistic monstrosity is the latest example of “government creep,” the never-ending attempt by government to control our lives and rob us of our freedom. Amendment 2 expands Medicaid eligibility to individuals earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. This figure equates to an individual … [Read more...]
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