The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ~ Psalm 19:1 (ESV) Some of my favorite spots are in the midst of nature. One is the Current River in southern Missouri—a place where miles of protected land and waters meander through the hills and bluffs. Yes, especially on the weekends, it can be crowded and loud; but during a weekday away from a holiday there is serenity. I can kick back in a canoe or a kayak and be carried along under a blue sky pocked with cotton ball clouds. I used to no enjoy kayaking, they used to give me bad back aches, that is until I … [Read more...] about Enjoying God through Creation
Archives for June 2015
Gay marriage may not be all bad news
In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling establishing gay marriage as a Constitutional right, many of us evangelicals are experiencing a wash of emotions. My initial response was one of fear. Fear that this will someday result in me being fired from my secular job like that fire chief in Atlanta. By my calculations I still have nearly 40 years to go before I can retire, and the possibility that someday it will be determined that people who think like me shouldn’t work with the public is scary. This fear, warranted or not, is sinful and betrays a lack of confidence in God and in the people of … [Read more...] about Gay marriage may not be all bad news
Your work, pastor, as an agent of the state
"...by the authority vested in me as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the laws of this state..." Thus, thousands of Southern Baptist clergy complete a marriage ceremony by some fashion or wording invoking the authority granted them by the government, the state. How are you feeling about that now, brethren? I've done only a few dozen weddings and seems like I came to the place where I would leave out the business about the state. I would, nonetheless, sign the state's marriage form and duly return it to the court house. Known to all except those holed up in a cave, sans … [Read more...] about Your work, pastor, as an agent of the state
My Top Ten Tips of Advice to a Church Walking Through a Scandal
My Top Ten Tips of Advice to a Church Walking Through a Scandal Sadly, it appears church after church is having to respond to immoral actions of pastors falling from grace. It deeply grieves me and causes me to really hurt for those churches. Young Christians and seekers become disillusioned and it can become a major crisis of faith for many within the church. Doubt and gossip can spread like wildfire, especially with social media and blogs. It is a time to balance between healing the church from the pain of betrayal and moving forward as a congregation from the actions of one. It is a … [Read more...] about My Top Ten Tips of Advice to a Church Walking Through a Scandal
Connecting the Dots
SBC Voices has been overwhelmingly fixated recently on questions of racial reconciliation. SBC Voices will be overwhelmingly fixated in the near future on same-sex marriage. I'm about to disengage from online media for a while in order to turn my attention to other tasks. This is a temporary vacation, not a retirement. But as a parting contribution, permit me an uncharacteristically brief post to connect these two topics. A post of mine is forthcoming Monday at Canon & Culture in which I will suggest, among other things, that the racial integration of American Evangelicalism at the … [Read more...] about Connecting the Dots
Obey King Jesus, Honor Everyone (a pastor’s thoughts on the same-sex marriage ruling)
This morning news broke that is not surprising when given the direction our culture in the United States combined with previous Supreme Court rulings: same-sex marriage is now a right that must be legally recognized in every state. Here are some opening truths for us to remember: Jesus is still King, God is not surprised or caught off guard, Jesus will continue to build his church until his return, and he has tasked his church to be a continuing witness of his love and grace. With these in mind, here are a few of my thoughts: First, this does not change how the church should view … [Read more...] about Obey King Jesus, Honor Everyone (a pastor’s thoughts on the same-sex marriage ruling)
An Idea about Sunday School Curriculum for Teens
My four kids are all grown up and gone, but we spent a lot of time at the schoolhouse before they left! As of December, they'll have a combined 5 bachelors degrees and 3 masters degrees. (One son decided to be a professional student and got 2 bachelors and 2 masters degrees himself until he got in with a start up company in Boston.) My wife is a teacher and works in elementary school. Edumacashun has been a big part of our lives. And so has church. I go to church pretty often. I have a rule. I attend whatever church is willing to write me a regular paycheck - been doing that for about 35 … [Read more...] about An Idea about Sunday School Curriculum for Teens
The end of the race issue — don’t stop now!
Will we ever be finished with the race issue? Will we ever make enough progress that we can rest, proclaim the job is done, or know that we have somehow moved past the need for racial reconciliation and the pursuit of unity across racial/ethnic lines? In our own spiritual journey toward the heart of God on the issue of race, can we come to the place that are just fine where we are, that the race issue is behind us, and that no work remains? I contend that until the Lord returns, there will always be further work to do. Yes, we are making progress. But racial reconciliation and unity is not … [Read more...] about The end of the race issue — don’t stop now!
The Source of Happiness
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. ~ Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT) Everyone wants to be happy. Well, most everyone. There are some curmudgeons who seem to take delight in complaining and making everyone miserable. But most people want to be happy in a more self-adjusted manner. But we often wonder how we get there. The Psalms is a book of collected ancient songs and prayers. Each, in some way or another, stands as a meditation on God and his … [Read more...] about The Source of Happiness
Forgiveness, The Confederate Flag, Heresy, and the SBC
Last week, the unthinkable happened. 12 people were having Bible study at the historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. Dylan Roof, a white supremacist, entered the Bible study and joined those gathered. The fact that he was white and they were black did not create a barrier for them. They welcomed Dylan with open arms, recognizing that he was made in God's image like they were. They shared humanity and they shared their need for a Savior. Dylan Roof heard a study taught on Mark 4 about the Sower and the Seed and being good soil or hard rock or thorny bushes or a hard path where Satan … [Read more...] about Forgiveness, The Confederate Flag, Heresy, and the SBC