By some accounts, Christmas cards account for, well, a lot of money. That’s a less than honest way of saying I was too lazy to do the research because I’m already past deadline to get this column to Dave Miller. Anyway, it’s a lot. And so is postage. This is a topic that we need to talk about. I’m feeling particularly soap-boxy today, so let’s get right to it. The first Christmas cards were sent by the ancient Babylonians…OK, again, not really, but look, I’ve got at least 400 more words to get to Dave, so bear with me, this may get better. I do wonder about the origin of Christmas … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget to Send Out Your Christmas Cards
Advent Reflections: Doug Hibbard Discusses His New Devotional Book
Today we break new ground here at SBC Voices as we interview one of our own. Anthony Russo recently talked with fellow SBC Voices contributor Doug Hibbard about his new book, Advent Reflections: The Gift Cycle, available here on Amazon.com's Kindle Store for only .99 cents. Here’s what Doug had to say: Anthony Russo: For those who may not know you, tell us a little about yourself. Doug Hibbard: My name is Doug Hibbard. I am a pastor of a church, First Baptist Church of Almyra, Arkansas, in the eastern prairie of Arkansas, on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. I didn’t grow up here, I … [Read more...] about Advent Reflections: Doug Hibbard Discusses His New Devotional Book
Sharing the Gospel is as Easy as KtGMSCSPSCSEP4D (*)
(*) Thankfully, it is much easier than that! Not long ago I was explaining the Christian faith to someone and they said that nobody ever explained it so clearly before. While that is a very gracious compliment to me, I couldn't help think of it as a charge against every other Christian this person has met. I know for a fact that at other times I, too, have not been clear. Yes, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who opens the ears of the hearer, but from the opening pages of the book of Acts onward, we see that those who proclaim Christ do so in the power of the Holy Spirit and with human … [Read more...] about Sharing the Gospel is as Easy as KtGMSCSPSCSEP4D (*)
Happy 80th Birthday to My Best Man
Today my dad turns 80. He's not happy about that. I try to console him by reminding him that even though he won't be in the 70s anymore, his clothes will be. My dad and I have a great relationship. We go way back. I'm named after him, sort of. My father's name is Anthony Russo. Notice there's no middle initial in there. My name is Anthony F. Russo. The 'F' stands for a name I've never liked (and no, I'm not going to say what it is.) The story goes that a nurse asked him what my legal name would be. The proud, new, and very bewildered father included what amounted to his own nickname. The … [Read more...] about Happy 80th Birthday to My Best Man
Don’t Tell Amy Carmichael
This post first appeared on my blog ThrowAwayEverything but I thought you might enjoy it also. -AR Yesterday the British paper The Daily Mail published a story about a California doctor who announced he has a LASIK-like laser eye machine that can be used to permanently turn brown eyes blue. There are many people in heaven who are praising God that such technology did not exist in Amy Carmichael's day. Amy grew up in Northern Ireland in the late 1860s and '70s. She was a beautiful girl with dark hair and brown eyes. All her young life all she really wanted though were blue eyes. Her … [Read more...] about Don’t Tell Amy Carmichael
McMarriage Counseling
Thinking about what to write today, my wife suggested I write something lighter since my last few essays were heavy-duty. Wives are great for reading us husbands, aren’t they? Oftentimes I’m slow to recognize what my wife has known for a long time. Yesterday was a perfect example of this. We were home and I went to check myself in a mirror. As I was taming a wild hair I had an epiphany. “You know,” I said, turning to around to her. “You’re right. You really are blessed to have me as your husband.” I could tell by her face that I surprised her. I’m not sure what the rolling of her eyes … [Read more...] about McMarriage Counseling
Get To’s and Got To’s
For twenty years I did computer support in corporate America. I was privileged to work at some of the best companies in the world. I was getting paid to do what I loved. Not only that, I can think of dozens of opportunities I had to experience insanely fun things. Early in my career I was working a trade show—which in themselves were always a blast to work at—when Bill Gates walked by me. He was surrounded by brick walls in suits as he made his way across the trade show floor. That was the early 1990s, a wild time in the history of the industry; it was exciting just to see him. Looking … [Read more...] about Get To’s and Got To’s
Why Do I Read the Bible?
This was originally published about a month ago on my blog, but I thought I would share it with you. I got to share it as a devotional on a Wednesday night recently too. I love helping folks foster an ever-deepening appreciation for God's Word. How about you, why do you read the Bible? Leave a comment! -AR One of the arguments Christians will cite for the Bible being the only book that really is the “Word of God” is its uniqueness compared to any other literature, ancient or modern. I thought of this when I was reading through Psalm 19 this morning. Psalm 19 was written to declare the … [Read more...] about Why Do I Read the Bible?
NAMB Missionary Maligned at Boise State University
This past week one of our own made the headlines, but not for what you might think. The student voice of Boise State University, The Arbiter, posted an article on its website entitled "Boise State is No Place for Hate" about Shawn Holes, aka "Shawn the Baptist", and his recent evangelistic visit to the campus. Shawn and his wife Lisa are Mission Service Corps missionaries with the North American Mission Board. Shawn crisscrosses the nation visiting college campuses and other venues to share the Gospel through open-air preaching and one-on-one conversations. Using emotionally-charged … [Read more...] about NAMB Missionary Maligned at Boise State University
Hudson Taylor, the Ignorant Little Child of God
In a dramatic moment when it seemed that the Lord was expanding the work of the China Inland Mission (CIM) to establish offices in and send missionaries from North America, the mission’s famous leader, Hudson Taylor, knew exactly what needed to be done first. “Before we begin to plan, don’t you think we had better pray?” he asked. H.W. Frost, the man to whom he posed the question, recorded what happened next. “With hands folded and bent head, he told the Lord that we were little children and it was not in us to direct our steps, but that He, the Lord, knew everything—and would He not give … [Read more...] about Hudson Taylor, the Ignorant Little Child of God