Aaron Davis blogs at "The Writing World of Aaron Davis." A few days ago, I sent out a tweet on Twitter that said, “Nationalism and Christianity are mutually exclusive.” This is a concise statement (as they must be on Twitter) and deserves some explanation. The first thing to be examined is definitions. Labels are useless unless clearly defined. Nationalism does not simply refer to love or devotion to one’s country. According to Marriam-Webster, Nationalism is: “loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and … [Read more...] about Christians Must Take A Stand Against Nationalism
Archives for November 2016
Thom Rainer Talks About Church Cartels/Bullies: Can You Relate?
In a recent post, Thom Rainer hits on a pertinent topic that needs more attention. He calls them Church Cartels. Dr. Rainer has previously written on Church Bullies and he now expands the idea of a "bully" to a cartel, or group of people who are seeking to control the church. I highly recommend that you read both pieces, but especially the one on Church Cartels posted today. As a pastor for many years, I read and heard so much about the role and responsibility of a pastor. Eventually, however, I came to dread going to evangelism conferences because I could no longer take seeing the … [Read more...] about Thom Rainer Talks About Church Cartels/Bullies: Can You Relate?
Lottie Moon: Far and away a record last year and building on a balanced IMB budget
Fifteen months ago the IMB was sailing through an ocean a red ink, their spending exceeding revenues by tens of millions of dollars. It seems like along time ago that the Board and all concerned Southern Baptists endured the painful series of voluntary personnel reduction measures that saw 800 IMB workers leave the company. The ocean now is black ink with a projection of a balanced budget for 2017. Thank God for that. Missionary appointments are up, IMB projects appointing 451 new personnel in 2017, which represents a 3 percent net increase in total field personnel (100 additional field … [Read more...] about Lottie Moon: Far and away a record last year and building on a balanced IMB budget
Our Celebrations Need the Tears of the Elders
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away. (Ezra 3:11c-13 ESV) Tears can be difficult to interpret. The … [Read more...] about Our Celebrations Need the Tears of the Elders
5 impressive social media church leader ideas
Seeing church leaders take advantage of social media tools and engage with people is very exciting. It allows them to be more approachable and accessible to their audience in a casual and easy to use format. The tools they use are free (for the basic options), equipment can be as basic as one's iPhone and a tripod, and are providing much peace and insights to thousands. 1. Robby Gallaty—He uses Facebook Live to answer questions about the Biblical passage his entire church is reading as they go through the Bible (F260). Pastor Robby Gallaty at Longhollow Baptist leads people through a … [Read more...] about 5 impressive social media church leader ideas
Taking a Prophetic Stand: Die Hard Is NOT a Christmas Movie
I read a post the other day differentiating trolling and taking a prophetic stand. Trolling is when someone takes a strong stand with which I disagree. When I agree, that person is taking a prophetic stand. I am taking a prophetic stand against a great evil I've seen on several of my friends' Twitter and Facebook posts. On lists of great Christmas movies, they include action classics like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon on the list. People, this evil must be banished from the land. We must agree with one mind that such movies - while interesting, exciting, and funny - are NOT Christmas … [Read more...] about Taking a Prophetic Stand: Die Hard Is NOT a Christmas Movie
A pleasant excursion to my state convention’s annual meeting
It's been a few years since I attended the annual meeting of my state convention, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. I enjoyed spending some time this week at the meeting. It didn't hurt that it was in a very pleasant destination, Savannah, where the weather was just right for outdoor dining and strolls along the riverfront park. The historic district is always interesting and half of my party enjoyed the many interesting places to shop. Savannah is sort of the second-string Charleston but I would say that publicly. I like my state convention. It is one of the largest with a Cooperative … [Read more...] about A pleasant excursion to my state convention’s annual meeting
I’m on Grandpa Duty
Post 'em if you got 'em guys. Make sure you don't step on someone else's post I'll be back Saturday . Not sure when I'll get back to blogging … [Read more...] about I’m on Grandpa Duty
A Plea to the President-Elect and Congress: Let It Go – Don’t Let Hillary Be News
I do not like Hillary Clinton even a little bit, and it shocked me when I watched the votes roll in on election night how I found myself cheering for Donald Trump. Donald Trump! I won't go back over what I think of Donald Trump because I've committed to trying to show more respect now that he is president, but the choice was something like choosing between West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. For me, Hillary was the worst. I find her personally repulsive. Her views are offensive on the issues that I care most about. And I am convinced she committed crimes against the security of this … [Read more...] about A Plea to the President-Elect and Congress: Let It Go – Don’t Let Hillary Be News
Telling the Truth: A Great Place to Start the Healing
Our God is truth but are we in danger of becoming a people who subvert the truth to our agendas? In our theological and political passions, the truth can often be left in the dust. We have a lot of euphemisms for what replaces the truth, but as Christians we only have two options. Jesus said our yes should be yes and our no should be no. He made it clear that the enemy is the liar and that God's people must "speak the truth in love." But we give cover to our lies. Inflated rhetoric. Impassioned, heat-of-the-moment verbiage. Enflamed with righteous anger. Senator Hiram Johnson said, "The … [Read more...] about Telling the Truth: A Great Place to Start the Healing