I’m pretty sure my husband thinks that a clean furnace filter is the cure for about any ailment. When our kids were growing up, if we heard so much as a sneeze in our house, he would disappear into the basement and he wouldn’t come up until there was a new filter in that furnace—protecting/guarding his family. He beat himself up for weeks when our kids had Chicken Pox. That surely had to be some sort of furnace-filter-failure. I think I remember that, back in those days, there was almost a … [Read more...]
Aroma of Christ through the Christ-follower
As soon as I leaned through the doorway of the florist shop, I smelled the spring flowers. And when I stepped into the room, the rush of blooms surrendering their pungent fragrance enveloped me. Immediately, my mind raced to Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is attractive, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.” The experience was so … [Read more...]
Spiritual warfare erupts as pro-life bill passes
Bodies were curled-up on the floor. Not in the condition and location where one would expect to find people in their State Capitol. Yet it was understandable given that it was 4 a.m., following 20 hours in which we had prayed, encouraged one another and urged senators to save the lives of Missouri’s unborn. So it was for everyone in Missouri’s pro-life movement in the pre-dawn hours of May 16. The hallways of the Missouri Senate sporadically erupted with activity, triggered by Republican … [Read more...]
Three down, two to go
The election of Ronnie Floyd to lead the SBC Executive Committee marks the third chief executive hire of a pretty remarkable era of transition for the SBC. Only Lifeway and New Orleans Seminary are still looking for presidents. In some ways, the men elected to lead the International Mission Board, Southwestern Seminary and the Executive Committee don’t fit some of the predictions I’ve seen among those who follow our business closely. Here are things that surprise me a little. This is not … [Read more...]
Want to start discipling but don’t know how?
In this fallen world—even in this very complex, post-modern world—people are desperately hungry to hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. “The typical churched believer will die without leading a single person to a life-saving relationship with Jesus Christ,” said Jim Putman from Real Life Ministries. Yes, there are many willing Christians who have no plan for discipleship because it is work for them. But before we go there, we must acknowledge that Christians don’t practice … [Read more...]
Winner, winner, turkey dinner
My family. We’re all pretty much just a big bunch of losers. No, not like that. I mean more like: “Hey, have you seen my phone?” “Guys, where in the world are my keys?” “Anybody got an extra pen because I can’t find mine?” “Do you see my glasses anywhere in here?” “Wasn’t I wearing a coat when I came in?” We’re forever setting something down and walking off like we’re never going to need it again. Here’s a favorite one of mine: “This is a very big parking lot, I was only in the store for … [Read more...]
Obedience requires going, doing
My pastor recently illustrated a story on a Sunday morning about the importance of going and doing (following God’s commands) as opposed to just studying and knowing. The illustration (I paraphrase) involves a father telling his young son to clean his room. The son came back later and stated that he had not followed his father’s command, but he had committed his father’s command to memory and could state the command perfectly: “go and clean your room.” As you could guess, the father was … [Read more...]
Praying for Missouri Baptist churches
Churches often hold prayer meetings. How often have you heard the pastor or prayer-meeting facilitator ask, “Do you have any prayer requests?” In most meetings, what follows is a list of prayer requests related to sicknesses and other troubles people we love are experiencing. We should pray for healing, comfort and peace. Too often, however, we spend too much time reciting these troubles and not enough time on our knees crying out to our Heavenly Father. My friend and prayer ministry … [Read more...]
MONA mocks God, threatens our freedom
America is in the midst of a moral revolution. With debate still raging over the deceptively named Missouri Non-discrimination Act (MONA), Missouri’s battle over this dangerous legislation reflects a nation besieged by moral revolution. British theologian Theo Hobson argues that for revolution to occur, three conditions have to be met: (1) What is condemned must be celebrated; (2) What was celebrated must be condemned; (3) Those who will not celebrate must be condemned. A May 2001 Gallup … [Read more...]
‘Run in such a way that you may win’
ST. JOHN – For most Americans, the act of running is a necessary evil. We run to keep up with our children, to maintain health, to not be embarrassed in a swimsuit, or to justify our Thanksgiving feasting. Very few of us look forward to the grueling effort of training and perseverance necessary to be successful in a race. And yet as any serious runner will passionately explain, success comes only when motivated and driven by a clear purpose. Recently in the 2019 Boston Marathon, a former … [Read more...]
There is good fear, there is bad fear
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV) Watching a group of children playing, one would never suspect that any of them had any fear; yet, many children do have a great many fears. Some of those fears are good since fear actually serves as protection for us. On the other hand, some fears cause harm to children. What are good fears? What are bad fears? What should parents do to guard against the bad and … [Read more...]
A time to celebrate foster families
Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity for people all across the nation to focus attention on the year-round needs of American children and youth in foster care. On any given day there are more than 400,000 children in foster care nation-wide. If you were able to bring together all these children into one city, this city would be the 43rd or 44th largest in the United States. This city made up of foster children would be bigger than St. Louis! There are more than … [Read more...]
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