I scan his body looking for a cape. Shocked that I don’t see one I assume that he’s one of those superheroes that doesn’t actually need a cape to fly. He just gets stuff done. The superhero I’m talking about is Super Dad. Suddenly his passionate preacher voice draws me away from cape gazing and back into his talk. “If we don’t disciple our children we are worse than unbelievers. Listen guys, I know that its tough. I know that you are busy. But what do you gain if you gain the whole world but lose the souls of your children?” his voice now rivaling that of a Seahawks home game. Looking … [Read more...] about A LITTLE HELP FOR FAMILY DEVOTIONS
Archives for November 2013
“Black Thanksgiving”: It Is Time to Draw the Line
One of the signs of advancing age is growing nostalgia. I no longer ridicule those who say, "back in my day" since I'm often now the one saying it. Oh, I'm not anti-technology, nor do I automatically think that things were better back in my day. But I am convinced that there was one thing dramatically better back in my day. Thanksgiving. We would have a large gathering of family and friends; the meal started around noon. Turkey. Dressing. Mashed potatoes. All the expected delicacies! Grandma made ambrosia with fresh Florida oranges and shredded coconut. After the food came the football. … [Read more...] about “Black Thanksgiving”: It Is Time to Draw the Line
What To Think About the Minister’s Housing Allowance (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). This post was originally published at his site. I'm not sure if I've ever used this site to address an issue having to do with the United States Tax Code, so this will, I believe, be a first. But before you browse on, or think you can use the following to put yourself to sleep, indulge me for just a bit, especially if you are a pastor or a church leader trying to make sense of a recent Federal ruling that could potentially … [Read more...] about What To Think About the Minister’s Housing Allowance (by Joel Rainey)
Reflections upon Matthew 13:10-17
Originally posted at Praisegod Barebones And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, … [Read more...] about Reflections upon Matthew 13:10-17
A Thanksgiving Devotion
1 Thessalonians 5:18 18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. The Thanksgiving season is quickly upon us, at least when we speak of the holiday with turkey and all the trimmings. Yet, for followers of Jesus, giving thanks is never out of season. As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are to give thanks (that is to God) in all circumstances. I will be the first to admit that this is not a natural inclination, which is part of the reason why Paul said it again in Ephesians 5:20: “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father … [Read more...] about A Thanksgiving Devotion
Pastor, You Have Onion Breath
“This tastes like the cow got into an onion patch”. If you’ve watched Napoleon Dynamite more than a couple of times you know what that quote is from. Young Napoleon is taste testing milk for an FFA competition. If you’ve ever lived in a rural community and had milk from a cow you also know that onion-tasting milk is a legit thing. Unless you like your milk with a nice oniony flavor, you don’t drink milk when the cow gets into an onion patch. It’s nauseating. Her milk is no longer fit for consumption. Some preaching is like milk from a cow eating onions, it’s nauseating. That’s why … [Read more...] about Pastor, You Have Onion Breath
Thanksgiving: Rising above the Clouds
Have you ever flown on a dreary, rainy day? You taxi down the runway and everything is gray, dark and damp. You pick up a little speed and the front of the plane points up just a little. It tilts a bit more and you feel the wheels come off the ground. The plane rises into the sky and things get worse. As you enter the clouds, you can’t see a thing as the fog closes all around you. That is when it happens. You burst out of the clouds and suddenly, the sun is shining brightly all around you. It is no longer dark or dreary, it is beautiful, cheerful. Everything that seemed to be true as you … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving: Rising above the Clouds
Brethren, Our Housing Allowance Is Now Unconstitutional (by William Thornton)
William Thornton is the SBC Plodder, and this post originally appeared there. It has been ruled so by a federal district judge in Wisconsin. I don't know how widely the decision is to be applied. My CPA blogging friend, Peter Reilly has greater understanding of this than I, so here is what he says: The Freedom From Religion Foundation has won a stunning victory in the United States District Court For The Western District Of Wisconsin where Judge Barbara Crabb has ruled that a substantial tax benefit enjoyed by many thousands of clergy – ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and others – is … [Read more...] about Brethren, Our Housing Allowance Is Now Unconstitutional (by William Thornton)
Priesthood: A Meditation on Pastors and Congregations
A group of us pastors sat around a conference table, eating, talking, and praying. It was an interesting conversation covering a range of everything from Star Wars vs. Star Trek to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Transformers to our attitudes about church and the joys and problems we face and to baptism (we are an interesting bunch). In a church that has a historical tradition of only the pastor performing a baptism, I have recently introduced my thoughts about others doing them. In particular, I have been approached concerning two people who are ready to be baptized as a … [Read more...] about Priesthood: A Meditation on Pastors and Congregations
Gospel Parenting, Part 3 (by Jeremy Vanatta)
Jeremy Vanatta is the pastor and an elder of Southside Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN. He holds a PhD in New Testament from Mid-America BTS. He blogs at The Threshing Floor, where this article originally appeared. Exposing Man-Centered Methods in Parenting As discussed in the previous article Beyond Behavior: Dealing with the Heart, parenting is no easy task because we are not just dealing with our children that sin. We are also dealing with our own sinful hearts. In order to discipline our children biblically, we must be aware of the ways in which our sinful pride manifests … [Read more...] about Gospel Parenting, Part 3 (by Jeremy Vanatta)