Sometimes people agree with me without even thinking it through. Of course, let’s face it, that shouldn’t happen all that often. Still, when something happens only occasionally, it makes every occurrence that much sweeter. So when someone agrees before even fully knowing what I’ve said, it makes me feel like I’m sort of the “terms and conditions” of people. Oh, the power. Basically I’m letting you all know that you can trust me. At least part of the time. I’ll be honest and tell you that … [Read more...]
The renewal of spring
In winter, trees lose their leaves, annuals die off completely, perennials die back and lose their color -- nature takes on an appearance of seeming fruitlessness. But then – spring! Those “dead” seeds are coaxed into life by the warming soil. The seed has enough stored food to live on for a few days until its roots get established, and soon it’s preparing for its annual purpose -- to bear fruit for the good of man and the glory of God. Our spiritual lives go through the winter-spring … [Read more...]
New tools, same rules
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Recent comments about young people and their “devices” would lead one to believe that technology is the work of the devil. There are those who blame recent inventions for many undesirable actions. They are upset that young people will talk on their cell phones instead of talking to people around them. They feel that too much time is spent on computers, cell phones, etc. On the other hand, there are … [Read more...]
1,000 Missouri Baptists to SBC Annual Meeting
Last September, SBC President Ronnie Floyd asked me, “When Southern Baptists come to St. Louis, how many messengers can we expect from Missouri?” I thought for a moment and looked at the number of messengers from Ohio at last year’s Annual Meeting and thought, “According to Jim Wells’ registration report, the churches in Ohio sent 723. Surely, we can do better than that.” With great confidence I told Dr. Floyd, “The Lord is doing a fresh work in our state. You can expect at least 1,000 … [Read more...]
Bodacious faith: Is our view too narrow?
This happens more often than you think: Members of a Sunday School class decide to circumvent their offering that would normally go through the local church’s systematic giving budget to give to a worthy cause or need. Maybe there has been an appeal for support of some particular project or independent missionary or humanitarian need—all good things. Church leaders would say, “Ouch! It’s okay to pass the plate a second time around to meet a specific need but the tithe (systematic giving) … [Read more...]
If SJR 39 fails, our future is bleak
One of the weak arguments offered by those opposing the Missouri Religious Freedom Amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 39, SJR 39), is that there have been no cases of Christians being hurt due to their belief opposing same-sex “marriage.” Those of us supporting SJR 39 have said while that may be true, there are 14 municipalities in Missouri that have passed ordinances prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals. In some of those cases there are no religious exemptions for clergy, … [Read more...]
Gender confusion and child abuse
Which of the following options would you define as “child abuse”? A) a parent encourages a child to pursue desires that will cause irreparable physical, psychological and emotional damage. B) a parent protects the child from these desires, despite the child’s insistence on what’s best. The answer seems easy, but when it comes to the debate over treatment for gender-confused children, many medical professionals demonstrate competing worldviews that will prove disastrous for this … [Read more...]
‘Ministry in the New Marriage Culture’
We live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to what the Bible teaches us about sexuality, gender, and marriage. Christians seeking to live out their faith beyond their homes and churches have faced resistance, criticism, accusations of discrimination, and in some cases legal action. Religious liberty bills designed to safeguard the freedom of those who seek to live out a biblical ethic have recently been signed into law in both North Carolina and Mississippi, and they have met with … [Read more...]
Oh, to remember perfect instructions
It’s really funny when I read the directions on the brownie mix box and then throw it away. Like I somehow think I won’t have to dig it out of the trash five minutes later. Or also dig it out eight more times after that. Sometimes I totally forget how to boil brownies. Not that there’s a lot of ADD at work here or anything, but I was looking up the symptoms for ADD the other day and ended up watching puppy videos on Facebook for 45 minutes. Take one large portion of forgetfulness. Fold … [Read more...]
What the Bible is and why it matters
I was in front of a group of Christians fielding questions about the nature of Scripture recently – what the Bible is and why it matters. I was struck by how many in the group, though they believed and appreciated the Bible, lacked sufficient grounding in the Holy Scriptures. They did not really grasp what the Bible is and why it matters. Do you? While most Americans grant the Bible unique status, and most churchgoers think of it – to some degree – as a book from God, confessional … [Read more...]
Generous tip leads to salvation, baptism
LEBANON – It was initially meant as a random act of kindness, but the $1,000 tip First Baptist Church, Lebanon gave Robert Marsh on a $10.74 pizza on Christmas Eve started a conversation that ultimately led to his conversion and baptism. A video posted to the church’s Facebook page that has been viewed more than 13,000 times tells the story (Search for “FBC Lebanon” in Facebook’s search bar to watch the video). “What’s the biggest tip you’ve ever received?” Matt Taylor, pastor of First … [Read more...]
Exposing the economic catastrophe myth over SJR 39
In recent weeks Mississippi has embraced religious freedom protections for its citizens. It did so in light of last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling redefining marriage. The unsatisfied and emboldened LGBT movement, backed by Wall Street and much of the media, is opposing such actions with phony claims of possible discrimination as a means of crushing dissent to its radical agenda. Georgia tried to pass a bill, but its weak governor caved under leftist, corporate pressure and vetoed … [Read more...]
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