As attacks on our religious liberty have intensified in recent months, Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director John Yeats asked me to spearhead a statewide multi-faith initiative that would further secure religious liberty for Missourians. For the past three months I have had the privilege of being a part of a broad coalition of church leaders, legal scholars, State Capitol staffers, lawmakers, pro-family and religious liberty groups in crafting legislation that would respect and … [Read more...]
Religious liberty challenge facing Missouri Baptists, faith groups
JEFFERSON CITY – It is coming to Missouri and if its citizens do not act soon, religious liberty for everyone will likely face an unprecedented threat. Last month the Oregon Department of Labor ordered Melissa and Aaron Klein, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery, to pay a $135,000 fine because they refused to bake a “wedding” cake for two lesbians. It is not because they hate homosexuals. In fact they have repeatedly stated and demonstrated their love for homosexuals. The state is … [Read more...]
The Worth of a Child
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. – Psalm 127: 3-5 A little boy named John was born into a family that did not attend church. When he was old enough to go to Sunday School, a Sunday School teacher picked him up each Sunday and took him with her to Sunday School and church. When the church had picnics, the teacher always took the … [Read more...]
To-do-listing His love for us
I’m a list person. Big time. I’ve been known to actually make lists of my lists. I think that means I have a problem. There’s probably a 12-step program. I’m intrigued that they’ll probably need to list the steps. Until there’s an intervention, I’ll just tell you that I’ll keep on listing. My lists help me sort out all the “have to do’s” from the “should have dones” and the “wish I had time to do’s.” One of my favorite things about lists is the sheer pleasure of the checking. Checkmarks … [Read more...]
To-do-listing His love for us
I’m a list person. Big time. I’ve been known to actually make lists of my lists. I think that means I have a problem. There’s probably a 12-step program. I’m intrigued that they’ll probably need to list the steps. Until there’s an intervention, I’ll just tell you that I’ll keep on listing. My lists help me sort out all the “have to do’s” from the “should have dones” and the “wish I had time to do’s.” One of my favorite things about lists is the sheer pleasure of the checking. Checkmarks … [Read more...]
I didn’t need a shark to save my life
Eugene Finney of Fitchburg, Mass., and I have something in common. Before I share what it is, let me provide some background. In case you missed it recently in the news, while visiting his parents, Finney was swimming in the Pacific Ocean off Huntington Beach in Orange County, Calif., with his 10-year-old daughter Temple. The two of them dove into a, 7-9-foot wave and as they plummeted 20 feet underwater, Finney felt a strong force plow into his back, according to the San Jose Mercury … [Read more...]
I didn’t need a shark to save my life
Eugene Finney of Fitchburg, Mass., and I have something in common. Before I share what it is, let me provide some background. In case you missed it recently in the news, while visiting his parents, Finney was swimming in the Pacific Ocean off Huntington Beach in Orange County, Calif., with his 10-year-old daughter Temple. The two of them dove into a, 7-9-foot wave and as they plummeted 20 feet underwater, Finney felt a strong force plow into his back, according to the San Jose Mercury … [Read more...]
Conversation with a gay friend: Biblical answers with ‘gentleness and respect’
This is the last in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. A few years ago I joined leaders of a Christian non-profit organization in a meeting with executives of a Tennessee TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to the LGBT community. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV … [Read more...]
Conversation with a gay friend: Biblical answers with ‘gentleness and respect’
This is the last in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. A few years ago I joined leaders of a Christian non-profit organization in a meeting with executives of a Tennessee TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to the LGBT community. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV … [Read more...]
Cooperative Program: Of course that is not all!
Churches that give through the Cooperative Program are making a difference. Why do I know that? I have the unique opportunity to see the handiwork of God though so many areas touched by your church’s support of the Cooperative Program. Just this last weekend I attended the Minister’s Juggling Act, a ministry of the MBC funded by the Cooperative Program. This year, 92 ministry couples of various ages and demographics participated in the event that is designed to strengthen the marriage … [Read more...]
Jason Allen: Pastor, guard your heart
Discouragement is not an emotion with which I am very familiar, but over the past several weeks I have felt it acutely. My sadness has been induced by the steady drip of ministerial sex scandals and the destruction they have wrought. In fact, I have found myself not wanting to check social media, dreading to learn about the next scandal. Most prominently, the Ashley Madison expose has shaken church after church, ministry after ministry, and family after family. And, as Russell Moore has … [Read more...]
Jason Allen: Pastor, guard your heart
Discouragement is not an emotion with which I am very familiar, but over the past several weeks I have felt it acutely. My sadness has been induced by the steady drip of ministerial sex scandals and the destruction they have wrought. In fact, I have found myself not wanting to check social media, dreading to learn about the next scandal. Most prominently, the Ashley Madison expose has shaken church after church, ministry after ministry, and family after family. And, as Russell Moore has … [Read more...]
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