During the Clinton scandals of the 1990s, we heard a relentless refrain from the big media outlets - personal behavior and character do not really count in job performance. They beat the drum that Clinton's all-too-evident personal failings did not affect his ability to do his job well. I call that nonsense. I remember a young pastor I knew who was being touted as "the next Chuck Swindoll" - a great pastor, great preacher, with a growing church and unlimited potential for the future. All of that was true right up until he appeared on the evening news for all the wrong reasons. His … [Read more...] about Bobby Petrino bears witness: Character Counts!
A Novel Idea: Respect for Bloggers!
I walked into the room where the webcast for the Gospel Project would be filmed. The extremely cordial workers from LifeWay had told the bloggers that were there to find the cables that had been provided, hook up and go to town with our blogging, tweeting and facebooking. That's when I noticed the "reserved" signs on several of the tables. I started to move away and then I realized something - they were reserved for us! It was surreal. I am used to hearing luminaries of the SBC railing against us, using generalizations that sometimes seem unfair. We can all remember the "bloggers in … [Read more...] about A Novel Idea: Respect for Bloggers!
NAMB vs State Conventions? A Simple Solution
There may be some trouble brewing between NAMB and the leadership in state conventions. You may have read about this growing issue in a Baptist Press article entitled, "State Execs form NAMB study committee." I know from a wide range of personal discussions that there are some folks who are very unhappy with the direction NAMB is taking. I've heard expressions of confusion, frustration, and even anger. The problem is real, as best I can tell. NAMB, and its predecessor HMB, have worked with state conventions on the basis of negotiated partnership agreements. There is a growing … [Read more...] about NAMB vs State Conventions? A Simple Solution
In Honor of the Cross: Tell Us How God Saved You
I was saved at the age of 6. I actually have no memory of the event and struggled with it for some time. If I do not remember it, was it real? I believe it was. My dad used to read a book to us called, "Little Pilgrim's Progress", a children's adaptation of the Bunyan classic. There is a scene in it in which little Christian takes his burden to the cross and lays it there. My dad helped me to pray and place my faith in Christ. I was a "good kid" (except for the common refrain from teachers that I talked too much) but I did not serve the Lord until I was out of high school . I … [Read more...] about In Honor of the Cross: Tell Us How God Saved You
Marks of an Unhealthy Church
I've got a headache today. I'm sneezing. I feel awful. It's not a mystery. These are common symptoms known to anyone with seasonal allergies. With this early spring, with every green thing God ever created blooming right now in Sioux City, the pollen count is rising like the national debt under President Obama. Symptoms are the outward expression of sickness inside. Feeling as I do, I have been sitting at my desk, pretending to work (oops, too many of my church members read this blog now - I've got to stop saying things like that) and I came upon an article by Joe McKeever called "10 … [Read more...] about Marks of an Unhealthy Church
Indentifying Christlikeness
Okay, the title is a bit of a misnomer. There is not a single marker of Christlikeness. Those who come to God by faith in Jesus Christ are marked by a series of characteristics - sound doctrine, holiness, joy, peace, patience - the list goes on. There is no shortage of markers. But there is one that I believe stands out above the others both because of its rarity even among those who call themselves Christians and because of its supernatural nature. Romans 5:8 sets the groundwork for this concept. We know that God demonstrated his love for us by sending his son to die for us on the … [Read more...] about Indentifying Christlikeness
And the Winner Is…Todd Littleton, The Edge of the Inside
Congratulations to Todd Littleton, (and his entire extended family) for running a fantastic campaign, coming from behind and winning an incredibly close race to become the 2012 Blue Collar Blog Madness Champion. Well played! Let me mention the rest of the Final Four. Joe Blackmon, who blogs at "Hear God Speak" forged his way into the finals as an underdog. In the finals, he garnered nearly 4% of the 1227 votes cast. Just making it to through the first two rounds is a great honor. The same is true for Ricky Kirk and his blog, Panta ta Ethne. Ricky made a really good showing and won … [Read more...] about And the Winner Is…Todd Littleton, The Edge of the Inside
It’s My Favorite Blogging Day of the Year
Bryant Wright Appoints New Task Force on Task Forces
Since Bryant Wright appointed the Task Force to study the name change last fall, the Baptist world has been abuzz, not only discussing the name-change idea itself, but also dissecting the details and debating the advisability of the appointment of the task force. Being sensitive to the criticisms of the criticizers who criticized him critically, he has announced a proactive response. He has notified the Executive Committee of the SBC that he has appointed a Blue Ribbon Task Force to study the advisability of presidential appointments of task forces. The task force will be asked to pay … [Read more...] about Bryant Wright Appoints New Task Force on Task Forces
My Wife Hit Frank Page
For the record, every word I am about to share is true! Because of the date today, some might think this is an April Fool's blog post. (I hear there are blogs that take April Fool's Day way too seriously and run a series of silly posts! I find that offensive, but to each his own.) This is not an April Fool's post. A week ago, Frank Page was in our church for an evangelism rally - the best evangelism rally I've ever been to. He was insightful, funny, poignant and practical. Then, afterwards, my wife slugged him! Well, maybe not slugged... but she definitely hit him as I watched in … [Read more...] about My Wife Hit Frank Page