Think chocolate is not the answer? Maybe you’re not asking the right questions. Okay, I do know chocolate is not really the answer to all the world’s problems. But it does sort of make a challenge a bit more palatable. Chocolate-coating our discomforts – couldn’t hurt, right? Sometimes chocolate is not only in my comfort zone, but chocolate is my comfort zone. Did you hear about the recent scientific study that determined 10 out of 9 people appreciate chocolate? It doesn’t matter so … [Read more...]
Explore the Bible Series with Dr. Jim McCullen: Dealing with death; live selflessly
Dealing With Death • John 11:21-27, 33-44 • Nov. 24, Introduction: Recently I heard of a child who was killed in a car wreck. The father of this child was a pastor of a very liberal church and he held to a very liberal theology. During the funeral service no positive expression of life after death or a heavenly home were talked about for this lad. The last song, as they rolled the casket out of the church was “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” because that was the boy’s favorite song. Without hope in … [Read more...]
Things unseen: Faith to see through God’s eyes
We’ve been talking about getting an invisible fence for the dog. Then I got to thinking, wouldn’t it be cheaper to just get an invisible dog? Immediate reduction in food costs. And the yard cleanup? No comparison. If your invisible dog decides to use your sofa as a giant face towel, you’re not any worse off. Not to mention, taking your invisible dog to the imaginary vet could save a boatload of bucks. On the other hand, invisible dogs are not very effective when you try to blame them for … [Read more...]
Of hooks, clubs and guiding ‘lambs’ to biblical truth
This past summer, I was invited to be the “storyteller” at an evangelistic block party in a rural Missouri town. I had four sessions. In the first one, I cut out a golden calf from gold foil wrapping paper and was good to go. Well, I asked what an idol was and explained that God didn’t like idols. And then I told the Golden Calf story from Exod. 32. Now, there were 20 in the place listening to me, 15 of which were under the age of seven or eight years old. I gave it all I had, but stuck to … [Read more...]
Did Jesus ever claim to be God?
Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses and atheists often argue, “Jesus never claimed to be God.” They assert that Christians have corrupted or misinterpreted the New Testament, or they reject the Bible outright. But for those willing to consider the eyewitness testimony of the New Testament writers, and the convincing evidence that their words are accurately preserved, we may point our unbelieving friends to seven ways that Jesus does, in fact, claim deity. First, Jesus calls Himself God. In … [Read more...]
God is moving, working in Missouri, let’s join Him
One essential part of an Annual Meeting is greeting the people we know and meeting new people who have joined us in our cooperative ministries. This year was no exception, as godly men and women gathered and fellowshipped. Sure, we had business to do, but this year it was obvious that we took away from the meeting a much deeper understanding of the ways of God. The meeting in Kansas City is now history. However, if you haven’t watched from the website the executive director’s address, … [Read more...]
Thanks from Pathway staff; pray for the persecuted
I would like to thank those of you at the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting who offered kind words of encouragement to The Pathway staff. Your overwhelming affirmation of your state newspaper is humbling. We are grateful to God for the privilege to serve Southern Baptists in Missouri and around the world. We will try even harder to exceed your expectations for truth and information from a biblical worldview perspective. I would also like to thank the nearly 1,000 messengers … [Read more...]
Explore the Bible Series with Dr. Jim McCullen
Wondering About judgment • John 8:12, 15-18, 23, 42-47 • Nov. 3 Introduction: It is sad to me to ask different people if they know they are going to heaven and hear them say no one knows for sure they are going to heaven. I always quote or show them 1 John 5:13. I tell them God wants them to know and not to go around Wondering about judgment. 1. Wondering About Judgment and Our . . Walk. 8:12 The Old Testament promised the Messiah would be light in a dark place. He is that light … [Read more...]
Giving all – mind, body and brownies
My workout routine for today: stirred brownie batter. It was really thick brownie batter too. So thick I’m probably going to need a nap. Right after I eat this brownie. I was contemplating being out of shape the other day as I pulled out my new gym membership card. I should explain here that my new gym membership card isn’t nearly so much about my workout routine as it is my imagination. But I figure even if I don’t have an active lifestyle, at least I do have an active imagination. So … [Read more...]
Doubting Jesus’ power; feeling insecure
Dr. Jim McCullen/contributing writer Doubting Jesus’ Power • John 9:8-11,13-17, 35-41 • Nov. 10 Introduction: About 25 years ago I was reading in a theology book and was stunned by this thought: No one in the New Testament healed the blind but Jesus. It further implied this healing was reserved for the Messiah. At first I rejected that thought but later learned it was correct. While in Jerusalem on a Bible Lands Tour I asked a knowledgeable shop owner if he knew the Messiah was going … [Read more...]
Free ‘Holy Way’ booklet helps Missouri Baptists prepare for KC
JEFFERSON CITY – MBC Executive Director John Yeats is inviting Missouri Baptists to join him in eight days of preparation for this year’s Annual Meeting, to be held Oct. 28-30 in Kansas City. To help in preparation, Yeats has released a booklet, “The Holy Way: Renewing our Covenant Commitments to Jesus Christ.” The booklet is available as a free download in PDF and eBook formats at mobaptist.org/annualmeeting. “The booklet lays out a process to help God’s people prepare to renew their … [Read more...]
Developing an attitude of gratitude in children
Pat Lamb, Educator and Author “O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.” – Ps. 30:12 Recently, while visiting the family of our youngest son, our three-year-old grandson wanted to play with my iPad. As I helped him wiggle his little warm body up on the couch and pulled him in close, I bent down and kissed him on the top of his head. I was surprised when he quickly reached up his little hand and gave me four soft little love pats on the front of my shoulder. I was so … [Read more...]