SPRINGFIELD - Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Those two verses from Ps. 126 gave the Sowing in Tears Conference Jan. 27 and 28 its theme, and the short, six-verse chapter was the subject of an exposition by Tony Preston, professor of pastoral leadership at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. “I look, as do you, for a great harvest,” Preston said. “I … [Read more...]
Rhonda Rhea: Keeping a tight lid on our hungers
I know I’ve complained about the state of my refrigerator before, but I’ve found a way to have a better attitude about it. When I get ready to put something in there, I just psych myself up for a challenging game of food Jenga. It’s amazing to me that as soon as the Tupperware tower is so impressive that I’m afraid to even nudge it, that’s when I need the container that’s two from the bottom. This is the stuff of an improved prayer life. If you’re playing food Jenga and you’ve been using … [Read more...]
Strong loving relationships key to healthy discipling churches
Even as you receive this column, “Valentines Day” is occurring or has just occurred. This time of year sets many to thinking about caring for someone other than himself or herself and that is always a healthy stream of thought. Rather than post a list of things a guy can do to demonstrate that he loves his bride, I reflected on principles I’ve learned from influential church leaders and their healthy marriages. Perhaps you could do the same. There does appear to be connection between … [Read more...]
I want an eyes-wide-open faith
I confess, my closet is not the tidiest. But all five of my kids were teenagers at about the same time. Nobody knows the closets I’ve seen. I remember deciding at one point that if any of the teens’ closets were going to get straightened out, I was going to have to be in on it. Then I think I probably went and got a tetanus shot. We started with Kaley’s. She was around 15. Being the word-minded person I am, I thought about the origin of the word “closet.” Isn’t it from the Greek, … [Read more...]
Our King condemned; our Savior crucified
By Dr. Jim McCullen Our King: Condemned! • John 18:33,19:11 • Feb. 2 Introduction: How often have you seen someone who denied Jesus later become a Christian and change his or her attitude completely? It is not happening enough, but it does happen. And it makes a significant contribution to the Christian community. Some people today, like those in our text, condemn our King, but Jesus is the ultimate authority. 1. Our King Condemned; Unlike Any Worldly King. John 18:33-38a The … [Read more...]
Please pray like never before for revival
Editor’s note: This column is part of the call to prayer issued by Frank S. Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, to pray for revival and spiritual awakening for our churches, our nation and our world. Nashville (BP) – Frank S. Page, president and “chief encouragement officer” of the SBC Executive Committee, has challenged Southern Baptists to continue praying in 2014 “like we’ve never prayed before.” Page views his call to prayer as a “catalyst, a … [Read more...]
Rhonda Rhea: How do we get these words to fit?
I’m not sure I ever work as hard as I do when I’m trying to get rid of that extra little quarter-inch of poof from the last corner of a fitted sheet. That last little bitty poof! It’s called a “fitted” sheet, but seriously, how do you get this thing to actually fit? I’ve found myself checking the queen tag more than once to make sure it’s not a twin. The corners on big beds that are tight against a wall are the worst. I can wallow and wrestle for 20 minutes and still not get it … [Read more...]
Depend on the Spirit; honor Jesus
Depend On The Spirit • John 15:26-16:15 • Jan. 5 Introduction: If you compare Southern Baptist churches with churches of other denominations who put more emphasis on certain gifts of the Holy Spirit, I think you will find we Depend On The Spirit more. 1. Depend On The Spirit When Your . . Testimony Meets Hostility. 15:26-16:4 Perhaps everyone who has sought to be a witness for the Father has run into some form of hostility. Everyone who has been with Jesus should be a witness. The … [Read more...]
The resurrection of the Son of God at Christmas time
Kevin Shrum, Pastor Inglewood Baptist Church Nashville, TN. Christmas is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I can already hear your response to that declarative statement: “Don’t you have your holidays mixed up? Don’t you know that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and Easter is about his death and resurrection?” Maybe I’m not as wrong as you think I am. I was asked the other day: ‘Pastor, do you think the true meaning of Christmas is being pushed out of our … [Read more...]
Actively erupting good thinking
A lot of my friends have adopted a more active lifestyle and started new workout routines of late. When they all do it at once like that I’m usually shamed into joining them. This time, I’ve decided to do resistance training. Because nobody resists training like I do. People are always talking about how important it is to have a strong core. And even though I’ve heard from all different directions that I should exercise my core, I’m having a hard time getting past the fact that it sounds … [Read more...]
Celebrate Jesus at Christmas; stay open and obedient
Celebrate Jesus at Christmas • Luke 1:30-35, 38, 46-49; 2:4-7 • Dec.22 Introduction: In my opinion we cannot celebrate JESUS too much! The world keeps encroaching on the days of Christmas celebration. We need to do all we can to Celebrate Jesus at Christmas. 1. Celebrate By . . Declaring the Virgin Birth of Jesus. Luke 1:30-33 I think most everyone could understand the fright of Mary when an angel appears and makes this announcement. Certainly most women could. The angel gave … [Read more...]
Season’s meatings and selfish fleshiness
You know how I can tell we’re approaching the Christmas season? I find myself thumbing through a catalog. A catalog. Of. Meat. Potted meat. Pickled meat. Fried and dried and – maybe even poached meat. That just takes us to about page five. Then there’s meat by the log. Meat in a bar. Meat on a stick. Meat in a jar. And okay, that might sound a little Dr. Seuess-y-cutesy, but I get halfway through the catalog and I have to tell you, I’m pretty much meated out. So here we are, heading … [Read more...]
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