I have done a daily devotional for my church for the last two years, encouraging them to read the Bible. I use the popular format of an OT reading, one from the NT, and a selection from Psalms and Proverbs each day. I work (at least) a day ahead and so I was working on tomorrow's reading this morning. The NT reading is 1 Peter 3. Did you know that God gave Peter a vision of the future when social media would take over and a prophetic word for those of us who engage in it? Of course, I'm kidding. People don't change. I am a little skeptical (perhaps its my old codger reflex kicking in) when … [Read more...] about Peter’s Prophecy about Social Media
Archives for November 2015
Every Year You Grow
I’ve been preaching through the gospel of Mark on Sunday mornings. Mark, perhaps more than the other gospel writers, wants the readers to see the disciples as the boneheads they were at times. So as you are reading through the gospel you can really shake your head at the disciples—wondering how in the world they could be so dense. In Mark 8 you’ve got the disciples on a boat freaking out because they forgot to bring enough bread. And this comes after Jesus had fed 5,000 and also after he has fed 4,000. He did all of this with a few measly loaves of bread and a couple fish. How in the world … [Read more...] about Every Year You Grow
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 … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving: Rising above the Clouds
Not Yet Flawless
No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises,No matter the scars, still the truth isThe cross has made…the cross has made youFlawless. …or, has it? Prelude So, before I offer a theological critique of a Christian song, one might ask, "Hey, why offer a theological critique of a Christian song?" It's a worthy question. I do not do this very often. I'm no music critic. There's always the risk, no matter how carefully one executes it, that criticism winds up being harmful or offensive. Before penning such a criticism, one ought to have good reasons. The following list includes some merely … [Read more...] about Not Yet Flawless
‘Tis the Season for Lottie Moon:
In many churches of which I have been a part, I have felt that our goal for the Christmas missions offering was quite low given the number and financial make-up of the congregations. Yet, at the same time, Christmas is a time where people are being bombarded with requests for money from a variety of good causes. Here is my question. What are some sustainable ways we can increase giving to missions while not putting a lot of extra pressure on people to give -- especially at a time when finances are often tight already? Here are a few ideas I have come up with: Ideas to increase Lottie Moon … [Read more...] about ‘Tis the Season for Lottie Moon:
Refugees: We might disagree, but can we at least agree that this is a terrible reason?
If by now you have not heard about the Syrian refugee crisis, then you’ve been hiding in the no man’s land of northern Canada. Based on everything I’ve seen on the news, blogs, Twitter, and Facebook, my guess would be that if polled your church, family, and friends about what should be done then you would find sharply divided opinions. It should not surprise us. Disagreement runs in our blood. Personally, I think we should accept those we can. Yes, we should vet them and check their backgrounds to the best of our ability; but we should not let the threat of a few terrorists stop us from … [Read more...] about Refugees: We might disagree, but can we at least agree that this is a terrible reason?
Brothers, Our Daggers Won’t Do
Tucked away in John Bunyan’s little book on broken-heartedness was this little gem which relates to preaching: The Word of God, when in a man’s hand only, is like the father’s sword in the hand of the sucking child; which sword, though never so well pointed, and though never so sharp on the edges, is not now able to conquer a foe, and to make an enemy fall and cry out for mercy, because it is but in the hand of the child. But now, let the same sword be put into the hand of a skilful father, and God is both skilful and able to manage his Word, and then the sinner, and then the proud … [Read more...] about Brothers, Our Daggers Won’t Do
10 years since Adrian Rogers died
I believe the brightest light in the SBC Conservative Resurgence was Adrian Rogers and it ought to be noted among us that it's been a decade since he left us for a better place. I'm highly prejudiced in this since I was a Bellevue member for the three years I lived in Memphis and attended Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Bellevue's old campus was adjacent to MABTS' old campus in midtown Memphis. The thirtysomething SBC site, B21 has a tribute including Bellevue's video retrospective. Check it out. I suppose there are other articles marking this anniversary but I haven't seen … [Read more...] about 10 years since Adrian Rogers died
A Few Thoughts On Church Revitalization
What you are about to read just might be the ramblings of a mad man. I pray the words are received in the spirit in which they are given. At the end of the day I might not have a clue as to what I’m talking about. So just consider this a friendly observation from one who is still trying to work through solutions. For the past few years church planting has received a good deal of attention, and rightly so. In fact, I’ve argued in the past that we might need to put a bit more focus on church revitalization. Though I’m certain having nothing to do with me personally, I’m happy to see that a … [Read more...] about A Few Thoughts On Church Revitalization
These are complicated times for SBC international missions
Consider me to have a bit of a deficit in denominational nostalgia. I don't apologize for it. A lament heard often in our SBC circles is about the halcyon days of ten percent Cooperative Program giving, the fictional harmony among various groups that made up the SBC back then. That lament includes despair for the days of ever growing statistical measures, chiefly money, that gave state conventions and the other SBC entities the optimism and verve to engage on endless staff hiring sprees, build magnificent buildings, and dream of ever greater sums to fund denominational dreams. The ten … [Read more...] about These are complicated times for SBC international missions