While trying to wrestle with a friend's question about pastoral ministry, I began thinking along the lines of this illustration. I share it here because it might be useful to you. If it's not, then feel free to have the same old argument about everything in the comments. Here's some words to help you with that: alcohol, Calvin, Conservative Resurgence, Great Commission Giving, Women, Trustees, Yankees, SEC (not the government agency). I'm sitting here on a Saturday morning pondering what it is to pastor a normal-sized Southern Baptist Church. Actually, we're on the high side of normal, but … [Read more...] about An Uneven Banquet
Devotional Posts
The Mountain and the Mundane (Ann Hibbard)
Those who have been Christians for any length of time have probably heard the term “mountaintop experience.” Scripturally, we usually think back to the experience of Peter, James, and John during the Transfiguration. We talk about our modern-day comparisons: intense spiritual encounters that tend to come through wonderful conference experiences, peaceful private retreats, or even some form of miraculous intervention that turns our weeping and pleading into joy and laughter. Whatever it may be, when we compare it to the Transfiguration story, we seem to assume that the mountain adventure … [Read more...] about The Mountain and the Mundane (Ann Hibbard)
Giving as Witness
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia (2 Cor 8:1) In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes the Macedonian’s giving as an act of God’s grace. Their giving was a living witness to the grace of God in their lives. Giving is a natural expression of a life that has been changed by the gospel. True Godly giving is not of our own doing, but of the work of Christ through us. If you want to be a witness for Christ, one significant way to do that is to excel in the grace of giving. As you seek to be a witness for Christ, note the … [Read more...] about Giving as Witness
Small Town Independence Day Celebrations Are the Best
I've been going to one close by for a couple of decades most every year. Just a few thousand people in this small, Georgia railroad town but they do a great job and it's always interesting. I go for the bbq but always watch the all-comers-welcome parade that precedes it. The bbq is pictured. If Jimmy Meek gets a photo here of the flag and fireworks then it is necessary for someone else to add the other essential to our July 4th celebrations, pork bbq. It is excellent. My only complaint is that for the last decade or so I haven't been able get there early enough to get some pork skins. Seems … [Read more...] about Small Town Independence Day Celebrations Are the Best
Life, Liberty, and Happiness (Jimmy Meek)
As I observe, and reflect on all the 4th of July posts, it seems the “go to” quote is that our Creator guarantees Americans life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I suppose our constitutional framers may have been trying to guarantee this, but unless we get away from the commonly accepted definitions of these terms, don’t assign this guarantee to God. Defining “life” as this earthly existence , we see that God does not guarantee that. In fact in Scripture, and church history, we see many followers of Jesus going to an “Early” death because of their faith. The book of Revelation … [Read more...] about Life, Liberty, and Happiness (Jimmy Meek)
“Slaving to Serve” (Ephesians 6:5-9) – From the Voice that Matters Most
Passage: 5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ. 6 Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. 7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Ephesians 6:5-9 … [Read more...] about “Slaving to Serve” (Ephesians 6:5-9) – From the Voice that Matters Most
Breaking the SBC’s Addiction to the Wrong Kinds of Power
How big is your church? Small? Medium-sized? Large? Mega? How many baptisms? How much money do you take in? How much money do you give? How much money do you give to the Cooperative Program? How many were in church last Sunday? What kind of impact are your making? How many have you led to Christ? How hard are you working? What are the results? The measurables? How effective is your leadership? We did everything "right." Why didn't we see the same success as the church down the street? Why are they "stealing" our people? Who do they think they are? They're just growing because the … [Read more...] about Breaking the SBC’s Addiction to the Wrong Kinds of Power
2 Samuel 1 – The Fall of Saul
I've enjoyed writing the devotional posts through Ephesians, and I intend to continue contributing those types of posts. This one comes from my quiet time this morning; 2 Samuel 1:19-25. Passage: The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! Do not tell it in Gath, don't announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate. Mountains of Gilboa, let no dew or rain be on you, or fields of offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled--the shield of … [Read more...] about 2 Samuel 1 – The Fall of Saul
Parents and Children (Ephesians 6:1-4): From the Voice that Matters Most
We share our opinions and insights at SBC Voices, but we believe that the Voice that matters most is the one that comes from God's Word. We present these daily expositional devotions, beginning with a tour of Ephesians called, "Walk Worthy," in hopes of encouraging our readers to remember to Voice above every voice. Passage Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. And fathers, don’t stir up anger in your … [Read more...] about Parents and Children (Ephesians 6:1-4): From the Voice that Matters Most
From the Voice that Matters Most – Walk Worthy In Marriage (Ephesians 5:22-27) (Ashley Blosser)
We share our opinions and insights at SBC Voices, but we believe that the Voice that matters most is the one that comes from God’s Word. We present these daily expositional devotions, beginning with a tour of Ephesians called, “Walk Worthy,” in hopes of encouraging our readers to remember to Voice above every voice. Ephesians 5:22-27 (CSB): Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most – Walk Worthy In Marriage (Ephesians 5:22-27) (Ashley Blosser)