Dave Miller

I get this question often.  Is it wrong to use cremation as a means of disposing of a loved-one's remains?  I read another article this morning that said that cremation (a cheaper alternative than burial) is growing rapidly in this difficult economy.  That is buttressed by my own conversations with local funeral directors who have observed essentially the same thing. Cremation is becoming more common and we must answer the question whether it was wrong. I would make the following two points: 1)  The Bible does not mandate any single way of handling bodies.  The Jews did not practice … [Read more...] about Is It Wrong to Cremate?

Celebration of Christmas at the Miller house has not yet officially begun this year.   For me, the celebration really begins when the tree goes up.  I have two strong convictions about the Christmas tree. 1)  The Christmas tree must be real.  For some reason, people get offended when I say this, but "artificial trees are for artificial people."  Why would that offend?  I can't imagine.  But I want Fraser Fur needles dropping on the floor and the smell of pine throughout the house.  So what if it triggers allergies?  Sacrifices have to be made! 2) The Christmas tree must have so many lights … [Read more...] about Celebrating Christmas: Getting to the Root of the Season

Josh Collins, who has been one of our contributors and commenters (often as Josh C) needs your help.  He is in a contest to win a free conference trip - to Verge. Here's the link if you want to help him out.  Takes about 2 seconds. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FgdMlYIyd&h=2AQFAvkmEAQEI66sr48LBXuH-90UyQC53GweyTvoWJLeVtw     … [Read more...] about A Plug for a Friend of Voices

I was raised hearing that "there are no contradictions in the Bible." My dad was hammering that message from the pulpit long before anyone heard anything of a conservative resurgence in the SBC. But then I read Scriptures and found that there is one very clear contradiction.  Look at Proverbs 26:4-5. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. There it is.  Verse 4 tells me not to answer a fool according to his folly, then verse 5 contradicts that advice and gives me the opposite … [Read more...] about Dealing with Fools: Sorting Out a Biblical Contradiction

Herman Cain suspended his campaign today.  Not sure what that means, but I think it is clear - he's not going to be president. I'm not sure we know the truth now or whether we will ever know the real truth.  Did he sexually harass women and carry on a long-term affair with another woman or is he the victim of another character assassination by the hit-and-run media in America (and perhaps a political hit by campaign rivals)?  I don't know. But the political nomination process has become a bloodsport that produces one winner and a lot of broken lives.  Is this the way we really want to do … [Read more...] about Herman Cain Suspends Campaign

In an effort to keep our discussions focused on other posts, I thought I'd throw this up in case you want to talk trash. I think we all join in hoping that Georgia will rise up and smite the Tigers so that BAMA will be excluded from BCS bowl contention.  I just love those things on which we all agree.   … [Read more...] about A Football Playground

NOTE:  Since much of the discussion seems to focus on some questions about Driscoll's continuationism, you might want to hear what Driscoll says, not just what people say he says.  I have linked, at the end of this post, to a discussion he had with Douglas Wilson below.  Driscoll is far from some wacked-out crazy, folks.  He is a non-cessationist. He believes in the operation of supernatural gifts today.  Listen to Driscoll, not just those who attempt to shape him as some kind of nut. I don't like everything Mark Driscoll says nor the way he says it.  Not my style.  I'm more suit and tie, … [Read more...] about Thank God for Mark Driscoll

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world." That song has been a staple in Sunday Schools since I was wearing diapers, and long before.  And it expresses a noble theme - that the love of Christ is not racially-based.  Jesus saves people from all over the world.  In fact, back in the early sixties, when I was singing the song in Sunbeams and Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, the message was radical and counter-cultural for many Baptists across the … [Read more...] about “Red and Yellow, Black and White” – Why Must We Magnify Our Differences?

I received this question from one of our readers and I thought I would just put it out there for discussion.  It has to do with the counseling ministry. I've been approached by a couple needing marriage counseling, they are not a member of my church and they live about an hour away, I was wondering how some of the commentors including yourself handle counseling of people outside your church? Do you offer counseling to anyone who asks for help or only to members? What issues do you tackle yourself and what issues do you refer to professionals? What kind of counseling do you … [Read more...] about Pastor to Pastor: A Reader Asks for Advice about Pastoral Counseling