I'm at a family reunion with my wife's family after enjoying some time with my side the last few days. We leave tomorrow for home (a depressing thought - not sure if you are aware but Florida has nicer weather these days than Iowa). So I'm not going to be around much the next couple of days. But I thought a discussion post might be fun. What are your blessings and memories from 2013? (Don't preacher-brag! That is annoying.) What are your goals, hopes and dreams for 2014? Talk to Uncle Davey. … [Read more...] about Reflections on 2013; Focusing on 2014
Archives for 2013
Resolution or Revolution? ~ A New Year’s Meditation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 January 1, 2014 is upon us. In what has become a tradition in our culture, many people will use this day to make a new year’s resolution, in which they vow to make a significant change in their life for the coming year. For some it will be to lose weight, to eat better, to work less, to work more, to fix a certain relationship to…you get the picture. In fact, you may have even made some resolutions for the new year. Sadly, though, what tends to happen is that … [Read more...] about Resolution or Revolution? ~ A New Year’s Meditation
A Biblical Evaluation of the Homogeneous Unit Principle, Part 1
INTRODUCTION In 1955, Donald McGavran, in his groundbreaking book The Bridges of God, laid out many of the fundamental principles of what would later come to be known as the Church Growth Movement. Among these principles, the most controversial is the homogeneous unit principle (HUP).1 Though he articulated and defended the key ideas underlying it in The Bridges of God, the most succinct and well-known summary of the HUP is that found in McGavran’s Understanding Church Growth: “Men like to become Christians without crossing racial, linguistic, or class barriers.”2 As a sociological … [Read more...] about A Biblical Evaluation of the Homogeneous Unit Principle, Part 1
Rev. Dwight McKissic on Jesse Jackson and Phil Robertson
This article from Dwight McKissic deserves more attention than it will get on a weekend between two holidays, but it also should not just sit there. So, here it is. Folks with publish authority, let's try to let this one stay on top for a day and let it get seen. Thanks, Doug. CHALLENGING JESSE JACKSON AND MICHAEL ERIC DYSON TO DEBATE THE PHIL ROBERTSON’S REMARKS FOR THE SAKE OF KINGDOM TRUTH TEN REASONS WHY PHIL ROBERTSON HAS BECOME THE NEW ROSA PARKS By William Dwight McKissic, Sr. In an attempt to discredit and defame the unabashed and uncompromising Kingdom citizen—Phillip Robertson— … [Read more...] about Rev. Dwight McKissic on Jesse Jackson and Phil Robertson
Social Networking: A Few Tips for the New Year
The new year is a good time to reflect on our past and choose to make life changes. Social networking has become a huge part of people’s lives and perhaps now is a good time to think about our online presence and suggest a few changes. Read this as helpful pastoral advice or as my personal pet peeves. Feel free to change them into your New Year’s Resolutions. That news story, internet tip, food contamination scare, new gang initiation, IS NOT TRUE!!! (Yes, I meant to shout; see point 6 below). Make snopes.com your new friend and research before you post. Do you know what “satire” is? … [Read more...] about Social Networking: A Few Tips for the New Year
Belonging and Giving
The following article was originally published at Bart Barber's personal blog, Praisegod Barebones (link). The Southern Baptist Convention faces few questions more important than that of cooperative giving. Not that I'm trying to categorize it as a crisis, the lugubrious tone of some of our prophets and sons of prophets notwithstanding. In the boomiest of boom years, there are still few questions more important for our convention than that of cooperative giving. The voluntary cooperative giving of our churches makes the ministries of the SBC happen. We never take our eyes entirely off of … [Read more...] about Belonging and Giving
Of Wooblers and Heroes
There's a profession out there, a noble and honorable one on which society depends, that has earned my contempt. I won't name it here; I see no reason to earn what would ultimately be a warranted amount of scorn and enmity by actually naming the career path in question. As well, I lack any desire to besmirch the fabulous members of what is - again - a great and wonderful profession. I must, however, have some way of referencing the job and those who labor at it, so I'll simply call the members of this profession wooblers. The infinitive form is to wooble. The verb conjugates regularly: … [Read more...] about Of Wooblers and Heroes
When Did the Wise Men Appear? A Christmas Chronology (by Ken Hamrick)
The Wise Men are part of most nativity scenes, and many people assume that they arrived while Jesus was still in the manger, soon after his birth. Many others, seeking a more accurate chronology, note that Herod killed baby boys who were two years old and under (according to the time that the wise men had told him), and conclude that they arrived two years after the birth of Jesus. I suggest a different approach. If we let the two gospel accounts, in Matthew and Luke, speak for themselves without any assumed contradictions, we can arrive at a precise, Biblical timeline of events. This will … [Read more...] about When Did the Wise Men Appear? A Christmas Chronology (by Ken Hamrick)
Mary Did you Choose?
In this time of year, we talk about how Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. Mary had a unique experience, she is the only woman in history to have a baby while being a virgin. Mary had an incredible opportunity, but did Mary choose it? Of course, Mary told the angel that she is the Lord's servant in the book of Luke, but Gabriel didn't really give Mary or Joseph an option. The angel said "you will have a baby". It wasn't an option, Mary was chosen to be the mother of the Savior. I think so often we are in the same boat, that God assigns us, picks us, chooses us and calls us to do … [Read more...] about Mary Did you Choose?
Doug Hibbard Sings “O Holy Night”
Doug posts his sermons on the internet, but some of you probably didn't know that Doug is also a talented singer. Here is his version of this Christmas classic. … [Read more...] about Doug Hibbard Sings “O Holy Night”