Dave Miller

After a trip to Galena, Illinois with my wife, then a solo trip from Sioux City to Cedarville, Ohio, to Lynchburg, Virginia, to Cedarville to Boston to Cedarville (because my daughter left her purse in my car) and back to Sioux City, I am ready to return to action as a pastor and a blogger. I have some exciting news about the future of SBC Voices which I will be announcing in the next few days. I have a difficult decision to make.  I forgot my razor when I left town 10 days ago, so I grew a beard.  I, of course, look dashing, but there is a problem.  My last beard was a) a flattering … [Read more...] about I’m Ba-a-a-ack!

I find myself in a quandary about politics.  I have strong views about politics, but I am also committed to not letting politics become the focus of the church.  Our job is to proclaim the gospel, not to achieve political power.  And I try not to make political views a requirement of fellowship in the church. But I don't understand how Christians can vote for candidates who support abortion.  I just don't get it.  I am hoping that some of you Democrats (or liberal Republicans or whatever) out there will help me understand your political thought-process. I made a commitment over 30 years … [Read more...] about Can Someone Explain Pro-Abortion, Christian Voting?

Anthony Russo's recent post about theistic evolution has been an active thread - the discussion of origins strikes a note in us.  I am taking my break pretty seriously, so I won't write one of my normal tomes here, just a few observations and questions about the subject. I am assuming here that this is a discussion between those who have the highest view of scripture, who believe that the Bible is God's Word to us without mixture of error and is our absolute guide and rule for all things.  Obviously, those who hold a lower view of scripture will not be inclined to think these kind of … [Read more...] about Observations and Questions for “Old-Earthers” and Theistic Evolutionists

(Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr. is the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.  We are always thrilled to post his articles.) President Bryant Wright has appointed a self-funded blue ribbon advisory committee, authorized by the Executive Committee to provide counsel to him as he prayerfully weighs recommending to the SBC in her Annual Session upcoming in New Orleans, a proposed name change of our beloved convention. I commend President Wright for his thoughtful, deliberate and considerate proposal. I wholeheartedly agree with the spirit, letter, advisory committee and … [Read more...] about Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr: “THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE SBC – Regarding a proposed name change for the SBC”

I have considered taking a second job recently – as a computer and electronics repairman.  No, I essentially know nothing about how they work – I assume it is all magic and gremlins.  But I have found the secret of fixing 99.9% of electronic problems. Reboot. Is your computer acting funny?  Turn it off and turn it back on.  A reboot will likely make the glitch disappear.  Smart phone acting dumb?  Reboot and its IQ returns to normal.  Some problems go beyond that, but relatively few. Now, it is time for me to try a personal reboot.  I’m not sure if it will work quite as easily as it … [Read more...] about Rebooting My Life: Dealing with Burnout

I am addressing this publicly to you because of public comments you made on SBC Voices yesterday.  You were upset by some comments a couple of our regulars made and you responded with your normal incisive and direct words.  You have a powerful manner of speaking and articulating your points.  I would not want to enter a debate with you - it might be like trying to counter a bazooka with a pop-gun! But I have something I want to say to you.  And I want to say it publicly because I think a lot of us feel the same way. I'm on a brief sabbatical at my church and while I'm managing this blog … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr.

Something happened last night that hasn't happened in years.  Monday Night Football opened without the song that has become so identified with it, "Are You Ready for Some Football?" by Hank Williams, Jr.  It seems that on Fox and Friends on Monday morning, Hank expressed his displeasure over the current occupant of the Oval Office by comparing him to one of histories most despicable men, Adolf Hitler. Well, sort of.  He did not say that Obama was Hitler.  He was evidently upset at hearing that House Speaker John Boehner had played golf with the president and said that "It'd be like Hitler … [Read more...] about Hank Williams Jr. and His Obama-Hitler Comparison

Why did the Cubs miss out on the 2003 World Series? Everyone knows the answer to that.  Bartman blew it, right?  Steve Bartman reached out on to the field of play and prevented Moises Alou from making a catch he otherwise would have easily made and cost the Cubs their chance at glory.  Facts are facts, right?  Bartman was to blame. What cost the Red Sox the 1986 world series? Everyone knows that the Red Sox were about to win it all when Buckner let a ground ball go through his legs and cost them the lead and ended the World Series.  Facts are facts, right?  Buckner was to blame. There is … [Read more...] about Bartman, Buckner, Baptists and the Blame-game

(Read William's blog, SBC Plodder, for his unique insights,  Here, he asks an excellent question.) The SBC online world has hemorrhaged articles, opinions, and fulminations that Bryant Wright announced the appointment of his informal committee to look at a possible SBC name change. Not a few have been vehement over the process. Some have called for civility and patience. Others have maintained that the whole business has been orchestrated. While I understand the objection about process and while I don’t dispute that this has been unfolded in a premeditated and deliberate fashion, I’m … [Read more...] about Process aside, who has a problem with an SBC name change? (by William Thornton)

As we draw this study to a close, there are three important considerations we must remember. Look again at Revelation 22:18-19.  “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:  if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Certainly, in context, this warning applies specifically to the prophecies of Revelation.  However, I think there is also a more general … [Read more...] about Three Final Considerations: The Importance of Doctrinal Classification (Brick Walls and Picket Fences 16)