I'm finishing my packing, hoping to get a minute or two of sleep tonight, then it'll be off to Detroit, Paris, Dakar, Ziguinchor, and Nyassia, where I hope to fix all the problems Bart created. In my absence, I've asked the team to manage the site sort of informally. General posting rules apply. If you have something ready to go and no one has posted for about 6 hours, let it fly. If someone has a really hot topic up, you might be wise to set your post for the next morning. Try not to step on anyone else's post. I hope to be back in the USA in time to celebrate Cleveland's victory over … [Read more...] about Miller Out
The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done*
*Okay, this is another one of my sensationalistic titles. Trusting Christ is the best thing I've ever done. Getting married. Having kids. Having grandkids (WAY better than having kids). Walking my daughter down the aisle. My hyperbole is granted. I'm trying to make a point. And, I was successful because you are READING THIS! I've taken mission trips all over the USA and all over the world. I've been to Taiwan twice (where I went to high school) and I think we did some good ministry there. I've been to Honduras twice back in my Florida and my Virginia days, doing construction work. … [Read more...] about The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done*
Paul, Profanity, and Precision
My desire for alliteration and titular brevity and cuteness may have derailed my post yesterday, and it bothers me. I wrote to make an important point and the discussion has missed the mark. Discussions tend to do that. I made the point that we need to follow Paul's example and treat our human righteousness, our human culture, our human heritage - all that Paul refers to in Philippians 3 - as "dung." I referenced Dr. Wallace's excellent piece that placed the word skubala on the shock scale somewhere between the word crap and the more shocking s-word. Of course, the discussion raged not … [Read more...] about Paul, Profanity, and Precision
Culture, the Christian, and Paul’s Profanity
In Philippians 3, Paul said something that would likely get me fired from my pulpit if I said it on Sunday. He was speaking of his culture, the way he grew up, his heritage and upbringing, and he left no doubt about how he regarded it compared to the joys of knowing Jesus. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 Rubbish. He counted them … [Read more...] about Culture, the Christian, and Paul’s Profanity
Is God Judging America?
I don't have much time - sorry, I know you want another one of my 3000-word essays, don't you? If someone posits that God is judging America today he is generally scorned. I've actually heard people say that God doesn't judge nations, only individuals. That's a hard argument to make biblically. Isaiah and Ezekiel, as well as other prophets, devote large sections to that precise thing - the judgment of God on nations. Yes, eternal judgment is an individual thing, but temporal judgment seems to be poured out on rulers, on nations, on corporate entities. I guess everyone turns into a … [Read more...] about Is God Judging America?
Changing the SBC’s Election Culture
I have never met Ashley Unzicker, but she impresses me as intelligent, enthusiastic, and really funny. When her pastor's candidacy for SBC president was announced, she put together the "It's tricky" rap that was something of a viral sensation throughout social media. At the time most of us had a good laugh - most of us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2P2tqFlMnQ But then other candidates began to come forward to be nominated. At this point, there are three candidates - JD Greear, Steve Gaines, and David Crosby. I have not decided for whom I will vote. This post is not about the … [Read more...] about Changing the SBC’s Election Culture
I HATE the Babylon Bee
I really do. I hate the site with all my heart. Why? Because I always wanted to start a site like that and Adam beat me to it - there is no way I could ever approach or top its brilliance. Best site ever - and I hate them for it. And just when I think - that is the best ever, they get better. What's your favorite Babylon Bee story? I've got about 20, but the one I read today about Jerry Falwell Jr was brilliant. "Deny Your Conscience, Take Up Your Guns, And Follow Trump," Urges Jerry Falwell, Jr. And this one - I recently read Jen Hatmaker's "clarification" of her stance … [Read more...] about I HATE the Babylon Bee
I’m Legally Separated – Looking for Something New
Originally published on "Dave Miller Daily." Okay, that title was total clickbait - I admit it. I am happily married. Well, a better description might be "exhaustedly married." We married off our daughter on Saturday, now all 4 of our kids are married. All four kids, their spouses, and all 5 grandkids (plus the Virginia ham in the oven) were in Springfield, Ohio, for the weekend and "Bapa" and "Nani" are still recovering. There's nothing legal about my separation. I don't even know how to officially leave the Republican party. Is there a paper somewhere that I'm supposed to … [Read more...] about I’m Legally Separated – Looking for Something New
Why Not Focus on Biblical Preaching at the Pastors’ Conference?
I’m not sure which convention it was, but it was during my time as a pastor in Virginia. I was deeply discouraged and considering throwing in the towel, for reasons that I won’t go into and simply do not matter now. A friend and I went to the Pastors’ Conference together and sat through sermon after sermon. I was amazed, feeling as if God had singled me out. The theme was perseverance. These men preached sermon after sermon about enduring in hard times, sticking it out when you were ready to quit. God used those two days to encourage me and give me the lift I needed. I can’t remember the … [Read more...] about Why Not Focus on Biblical Preaching at the Pastors’ Conference?
Whatever Happened to the GCR? The Heart of the Problem
In the six years since the SBC adopted the Great Commission Resurgence report, "Penetrating the Lostness," we've not seen a dramatic turnaround in our statistical decline and because of that, the effort has been written off as a failure, a waste of time. It is my intention to review the work of the GCR and ask the question, did it really do anything? Was it a failure and a waste of time as so many have assumed, or has there been some good that came of it? My intent in the weeks leading up to the SBC Annual Meeting is to look at each of the seven recommendations the report included and see if … [Read more...] about Whatever Happened to the GCR? The Heart of the Problem