Is Christianity just for Sunday mornings? Or is the Christian worldview meant to pervade all aspects of human life? In my nearly seven years serving as a senior pastor, I have encountered what I call “gospel disconnect”—the lack of applying the gospel to all areas of life. My sense is most Christians have no problem listening, talking, and applying the gospel at church on Sunday mornings. But what about the rest of the week? What about in the areas of our life not normally associated with … [Read more...]
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New life, five stars, highly recommended
Always read the reviews. Unless you really want that thing. Do you ever find that special treasure online—the one you’ve been searching for so much longer than you want to admit? And you know, you know, you should read the customer reviews. But you’re also afraid those reviews will mess it all up for you. They’ll destroy your purchase joy. Do not give me bad news here, other consumers. Don’t we have to consider the possibility bad reviews could be coming from people who are just plain … [Read more...]
Taking another step of faith
Sharon and I came to Missouri with a deep sense of call. In our journeys across the state to visit our churches, we sensed the Lord was at work in Missouri Baptists. Part of my role is to promote, celebrate, and persuade people to capture in their minds the power of the Cooperative Program. God wants to do something special with people who trust Him with their earthly possessions. He wants to do the powerful, not necessarily the ostentatious, through local churches. He wants to do … [Read more...]
Despite hectic headlines, the gospel gives us peace
A glance at global headlines from the past several weeks makes one thing clear: The world is starving for peace. Apparently, this is true even on the baseball field, where Guardians third baseman José Ramírez and White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson threw off their gloves, Aug. 5, for a game-stopping, bare-fisted fight at second base. But global turbulence and brokenness has spread far beyond the ballfield, as made evident by a few recent reports from WORLD News Group: • In a South Korean … [Read more...]
What do you know about MBCH?
When you hear the name “Missouri Baptist Children’s Home,” what images come to your mind? Do you see campuses full of young children waiting for a forever home? Do you see an orphanage? Does residential care only come to your mind? Well, hopefully, after you read this article, you will have learned more about what the Agency is and who it serves. First of all, instead of calling it “Missouri Baptist Children’s Home”, we are now referring to the parent corporation as MBCH. The … [Read more...]
Salvation through a sign
People often quip about wanting a “sign from God” before they will change. Recently, a vendor at the Ozark campus came to faith in Christ after viewing a Bible verse scrolling on a video kiosk at the campus. This gentleman, like so many who visit our Baptist Homes campuses, immediately experienced an environment that was different from other senior communities. At Baptist Homes, one does not need to go far to see that our commitment to being a distinctly Christian ministry goes beyond … [Read more...]
Uncontainable joy
Food storage containers are handy beasts. That’s why most of us have that one cabinet full of them. Open the cabinet door, release the little brutes, they tumble out in a beast party of happy-clattery plastic. They’re the best. But also sometimes they’re the worst. Because: nine containers. Fifty-two lids. And none of those lids fit any of the nine containers. You can try to force a near-fit if you want. But it’s a Cinderella shoe on a mean stepsister. Making do with a lid that’s too … [Read more...]
Welcome Him into the house
The beginning of Mark 2 is one of the greatest events in Scripture. The people involved are the Lord Jesus, the disciples, the crowd inside a house, the religious leaders attempting to shelter the people from this rabbi from Nazareth, a paralytic, and four men. Each has a vital role to play, but this short column does not lend itself to exploration of each life. Let’s stick to the paralytic and the four: He sat by the city gate for years. Every morning, his father, a brother, a cousin, … [Read more...]
Family vacation teaches a lesson in contentment
My wife, children and I traversed five states on a grand adventure earlier this month – thanks to a gift from some family members. Contentedly, we meandered through Grand Teton National Park and then through Yellowstone National Park, keeping our eyes peeled for bears, moose, foxes, coyotes, bald eagles, bison and antelope. We loved seeing such beautiful wildlife against the backdrop of mountains, streams and waterfalls. Eager to suck the marrow out of life, my son even delighted in every … [Read more...]
Who’s the boss?
“For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.” – I Corinthians 11:8-9 (ESV) Many times when I have done book signings, a dad will pick up a book, look at it and put it down. When I mention that the books are helpful for family devotions, most often I have gotten the response, “My wife usually makes those kind of decisions”. The Scripture cited above makes it clear that God intended for the dad to be the head of the home and … [Read more...]
Abused find safety, healing through MBCH
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. – Jeremiah 17:14 Thirteen-year-old Abby* had big dreams. Maybe they seemed out of reach for now: money was tight, and she lived in a small Missouri town with her single mom. But Abby earned good grades and had several close friends; she had decided she was going somewhere. Fast forward to freshman year of high school. Everything was down: Abby’s school attendance, her grades, her friendships, and … [Read more...]
Seasons change: Embrace it!
I find immense joy in witnessing the transitions that occur throughout the year! They serve as a profound reminder of God’s boundless creativity and diversity. Not only do the seasons undergo transformations, but the seasons of our lives do as well. While some of these changes can be welcoming, like getting your dream job, getting married, and completing a home remodel. Others can be discouraging, like losing your dream job, never-ending home remodel, or a spouse passing away. How we … [Read more...]
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