Dave Miller

I feel like I just gave birth!  Well, since I never actually gave birth, only stood by while my wife did that, I don't suppose I really should pretend that's what it's like. But I have just finished a long, arduous and sometimes painful process of finishing, editing, formatting, and releasing a book called "Disqualified? What the Bible Says about Divorce, Remarriage, and Ministry." About five years ago I published a series of posts here on the topic and they have remained among our most active over those 5 years - almost every day one or more of them is in our top 10 or 20 most active … [Read more...] about “Disqualified? What the Bible Says about Divorce, Remarriage, and Ministry” by Dave Miller – now available

I have been finishing up a book (I'll have an announcement in a day or two) that has been taking just about every spare minute of my time, so I was a little late to the "saga of the red cup." Evidently, the people of Starbucks have sold their souls to Satan and are joining the front lines of the "War on Christmas." Their offense? Their cups  this year, in which they serve their overpriced mediocre coffee and coffee-type drinks to hipsters everywhere will be plain red cups. That's right, folks. PLAIN RED CUPS. The horror. No Christmas trees or snowflakes, just plain red cups. Is their … [Read more...] about Outrage and Disdain: The “Red Cup War” Rages

I'm headed to the Baptist Convention of Iowa on Friday for our annual meeting in Des Moines. We will have a Pastor's Banquet on Friday night with Dr. Jason Allen, a CP breakfast on Saturday with a fella named Frank Page, then our convention has been compacted into a one day event. I have a long drive home so I would try to sneak away early, but they often schedule something big as the finale. I haven't looked, but I suspect Dr. Page's message might be the closing event - no way I'm missing that!  We are electing a all new officers this year and our convention has had some political roiling the … [Read more...] about State Convention Forum: What’s Happening at Your Meeting This Year?

I'm a pessimist at heart. It comes from my theology of humanity - it's hard to read Romans 3 and trumpet the "human beings are basically good" mantra that the politicians love. We are sinners - born that way, live that way, and we die that way unless the Lord Jesus grabs our hearts. And (not to throw an eschatalogical curveball) I believe the Scriptures that tell us the there will be perilous days as the world continues, that this world is not moving toward the liberal utopia many see, but toward a moral meltdown before the return of Christ. So, I guess I will plead guilty to being a glass … [Read more...] about Hopeful Signs, Interesting Elections

I am fully aware that the solution for America's woes is spiritual, not political. But I have been thinking a lot about politics recently and so here are my thoughts. If you aren't interested in politics, feel free to just ignore this one!  Back on June 8, I wrote an article with a tongue in cheek title, "Dear GOP, I Want to Fall in Love, But I'm Playing Hard to Get." I made the point that I wanted to find a candidate I respected, someone I could get excited about this presidential cycle. It's pretty trendy and hip to act like all the candidates are buffoons, like there's nothing but … [Read more...] about Dear GOP, I’m Shopping for a Ring

Three states, small states, relatively insignificant states, play a huge role in determining what the outcome of the national presidential election will be. I live in one of them. In January (the dates are fluid), New Hampshire, and soon thereafter South Carolina, will hold primary elections. On a Tuesday night before either of those, Iowans like me will freeze our cabooses off by driving through our cold neighborhoods to school gymnasiums, auditoriums, community centers, and other such places to gather and discuss who the nominee of our party should be. I’ve already taken a picture with … [Read more...] about Are the Early State Primaries the Best Way to Select Party Nominees?

My dad was preaching in a southern city many years ago, in a city that hosted a rather well known rivalry game, the day after the game. I won’t name the game, but he did eat his cereal that morning out of an iron bowl. My dad is a huge sports fan and he delights in teasing and joking with people. The pastor of the church pulled him aside that morning with a serious look and said, “Lew, please listen to me. Do not joke about the game today. Half of the people will be gloating and half of them will be angry. You cannot joke from the pulpit about that football game.” Dad was befuddled. Most of … [Read more...] about Sports and Idolatry: Drawing the Line between Fan and Fanatic

In my post yesterday, I mentioned a time when I walked through the valley of deepest darkness during my pastorate in Virginia. The black dog was howling so loud I couldn't hear the still small voice of God. I told you how I was able to work through that in the power of God and his word. There was a significant factor I didn't mention. His name was Lee. Lee was a family counselor at a local medical clinic. A doctor, one of the deacons at my church, had decided to open a rural Christian medical clinic and he brought Lee on to provide counseling to those in need. Lee also pastored a church … [Read more...] about I’m Reminded of How Bad I Stink as a Friend

I stood outside our state office and chatted with him - nothing serious, just lighthearted banter. It never occurred to me when we parted that it was the last time I would ever see him. A while later, for reasons that still baffle us, this pastor-friend of mine, who never seemed to be bothered by much of anything, decided to end his life instead of letting one of us help him. If he'd called me, I'd have gotten in the car and driven the 3 hours to help him. I would not have needed to, because there were a half-dozen pastors within an hour's drive who'd have been there with bells on to talk … [Read more...] about Helping Hurting Pastors

I'm going to be brutally honest here (hope Ronnie Floyd doesn't read this!). I've heard Ronnie Floyd speak several times and always felt he was long on passion and short on content. The first two times he ran for SBC president, I opposed him. The first time (2006) I was a blog commenter who had no forum to speak out but I traveled to Greensboro to vote for a man I'd never heard of - some guy named Frank Page. I thank God for Greensboro, because Frank Page was elected, then became our EC President, a friend, and someone I think has had a remarkable effect on the direction of the Southern … [Read more...] about Watch Ronnie Floyd’s Message at Midwestern’s Symposium