Evil must be confronted and opposed. Even when evil wins a battle, know that eventually, it will be destroyed! Take heart and do not be discouraged. … [Read more...] about We need to call evil EVIL!
See you Monday. Happy Thanksgiving from SBC Voices!
We have some good posts in the bullpen awaiting me to hit the magic publish button. But it is my belief that there are much better things to do this next few days than to blog. Chew on turkey, not on SBC news, opinion and perspective. We'll be back up and publishing on Monday. I have a long to-do list for the next couple of days. 1) I broke my turkey deep-frier thermometer and have to get one. No turkey should be prepared in any way other than by deep frying. It is a moral obligation. I've also got to make sure I've got a fresh bottle of propane (and propane accessories). 2) … [Read more...] about See you Monday. Happy Thanksgiving from SBC Voices!
One Man’s Rant: Resenting the Increasing Encroachment of Black Friday on Thanksgiving!
I'm a little mad. Let me tell you all about it. I will admit that I've been an active participant in Black Friday chaos in years past. I've stood outside Best Buy in 11 degree weather with friends and family waiting for the store to open and the madness to begin. In the "good old days" we had to get up and go to the store by about 2 or 3 in the morning to get a decent place in line. The last time I stood in the queue was a few years back and we had to go there around 8:30 on Thanksgiving evening to get our place and wait for 5 AM when the store would open. Now, the Black Friday, our … [Read more...] about One Man’s Rant: Resenting the Increasing Encroachment of Black Friday on Thanksgiving!
An Encounter with the Demonic in America Today
The story I am about to share with you is over two years old. Of course, you only have my word for it, but I would put my hand on a stack of Bibles or get hooked up to a lie detector and tell you that I have not made up a single word. I recently had an "experience" I am trying to make sense of and it got me thinking of this story - originally published at sbcIMPACT in June of 2009. I can tell you two things - I still don't know what to think about this, because it doesn't match my theology of the demonic. Secondly, the young man the story is about is now married, studying for the ministry … [Read more...] about An Encounter with the Demonic in America Today
Living the “Car”stian Life – A Modern Allegory
All week long, my car ran great. Here and there, across town and back, up hills and down; no problems. I turned the key, the engine fired and I was on my way. Then, suddenly, on Friday, a terrible thing happened. I was cruising along when it coughed a couple of times, sputtered, harrumphed, and then quit. Nothing. It would turn over, but not fire. I was stranded. Being the master mechanic that I am, I walked around the car and gave all four tires a firm kick. I opened the hood, jiggled a few wires, pulled and twisted stuff and burned my hand on something hot. But no matter what I did, the … [Read more...] about Living the “Car”stian Life – A Modern Allegory
Rainer, Why Churches Decline, and the Future of the SBC
Thom Rainer posted an article last week called "When Great Churches Fail." It was an intriguing examination of once great churches that had lost their grip an begun to struggle and dwindle. He identified three key elements that seem to be common elements in these declines. Hubris. The word means pride or excessive self-confidence. Here it refers to church leaders who have seen great days at their churches, and who are convinced that their churches are the models for others to emulate. They talk about the methods they used, instead of the biblical principles and passions behind the methods. … [Read more...] about Rainer, Why Churches Decline, and the Future of the SBC
Educating Our Children and Dividing Our Churches?
Christians today seem to find a way to argue and even divide over just about everything, don't we? There is a growing rift in some churches and between some Christians over the decision that parents make about how to educate their children. Our four children went to Christian schools, public schools, and even homeschooled a little. We tried it all. We found a system that worked well for us - the Miller System of Edumacation! We put our kids in Christian schools through eighth grade to get a solid foundation, then put them into the public schools where there were educational and … [Read more...] about Educating Our Children and Dividing Our Churches?
Thank You, Veterans
There is a lot of debate on blogs about how much part patriotism ought to have in worship services. But on this, there can hardly be debate. On 11/11, we can all agree that the freedoms we enjoy were not free, that they have come to us at the expense of the sweat and sacrifice of those who serve this nation as soldiers. They live in undesirable places and do undesirable things so I can sit in my recliner and write blogs and sermons in comfort. That kind of sacrifice should be remembered and honored daily, not just once a year. Thank you to those of you who wore the uniform and … [Read more...] about Thank You, Veterans
Epilogue (at least for now) to our Calvinism Discussions
I'm not shutting these posts down or anything, but the discussion seems to be winding down to the "gnawing on the bones" phase, so let me do a little post-mortem observation. This is, of course, my opinion, which I hardly need to say you are free to disagree with. 1) The thirst for discussions of Calvinism is almost unquenchable. If you look at the statistics here the last 48 hours, you will see that. I try not to write things just to "stir things up" but if I was going to do that, I'd either write about alcohol or about Calvinism. 2) I remain convinced that the Calvinism issue is … [Read more...] about Epilogue (at least for now) to our Calvinism Discussions
Dr. Mohler’s 2010 Statement on New Calvinism: Not Helpful!
I am a fan of Dr. Al Mohler! I am glad he is one of our leaders. I am constantly amazed at Dr. Mohler's ability to articulate his positions. His statement on homosexuality at the SBC Annual Meeting this year was one of the best, most concise and biblical statements of a Christian approach to the subject I've ever heard. I've seen Dr. Mohler on national programs and always have been impressed at his ability to express unpopular biblical ideas in a persuasive way. When he speaks, I listen. And usually I think he hits it out of the park! In a video from 2010 that has recently been … [Read more...] about Dr. Mohler’s 2010 Statement on New Calvinism: Not Helpful!