Dave Miller

I have to admit that I am shocked. I did not see a gracious way for that to happen. But in conference with Willy Rice, Dr. Carson has decided not to appear at the SBC Pastors' Conference. You can read Willy Rice's article announcing the withdrawal here. (http://www.calvary.us/pages/page.asp?page_id=296405&articleId=48662) I want to say two things. 1. This is probably the best possible outcome. Presidential candidates at Pastors Conferences is not a good idea. 2. I feel bad for Willy Rice. He is a good man who is in a position where he simply CANNOT please everyone. I … [Read more...] about Ben Carson Withdraws from Pastors Conference

Pardon my sarcastic title. I'm in one of those moods. Let me make it clear that I agree completely with Bart Barber in his previous article about the invitation to Ben Carson to speak at the Pastors' Conference in Columbus. Bad idea. I was packing, traveling and conferencing yesterday, so I did little more than glance at the Baptist 21 article that is making the rounds on social media, but I agree with what I saw of that. Politicians have no place at the Pastors' Conference. For that matter, neither do Seventh Day Adventists. But it is also time for a reality check. 1. The … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: SBC Will Survive Carson’s Appearance at the Pastor’s Conference

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 If all went as planned, his plane just took off from Dulles and will be in the air for about 7 hours, so I can talk about him freely, without the fear that he will know about it. I’m uncomfortable both giving and receiving compliments, so I purposely held this post until I knew he would be unable to respond. Maybe he will never see it. My guess is that he would be embarrassed to read it.  It's the perfect time! I can talk about him behind his back … [Read more...] about I Witnessed Greatness among the Bayot

That's what the Gaffer said to Frodo when he returned to the Shire and promised to do all he could to set thing right. He couldn't understand why Frodo and the others had gone off on their foolish quest or why they'd been gone so long. Events in far off lands couldn't matter as much as the pain and sorrow that had taken place right there in Hobbiton. But now the travelers had returned as fierce warriors ready to set things right. And at Frodo's assurance, the Gaffer was satisfied. "You can't say fairer than that." That is also my response to James MacDonald's post from yesterday, … [Read more...] about “You Can’t Say Fairer than That.” Examining James MacDonald’s Apology

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” Matthew 11:19 It was one of the barbs that the religious leaders sent Jesus' way. "He is a friend of sinners." They meant it as an insult, but it was one of the greatest compliments they could have imagined. Jesus was, in fact, a friend of sinners. No dirty rotten scoundrel ever had a better friend than Jesus. He was a friend of the rough, low-class sinners from the Galilean sea shore. He was a friend of … [Read more...] about Can We Be Pro-Homosexual?

Well, that's the ideal anyway. Baptists who understand our polity and who have a healthy understanding of autonomy, soul competency, the priesthood of the believer, and the role, ministry, and amazing power of the Holy Spirit don't bully. They don't have to. They don't want to. They are horrified at the prospect. In reality, sometimes our ideals suffer. We have, in recent years, thrown out a couple of babies with bathwater we found yucky. We are fans of neither the liberal/moderate or the charismatic bathwater, and we've thrown them both out forcefully. But I'm afraid we've thrown some … [Read more...] about Baptists DON’T Bully!

I remember reading a college textbook in Western Civ differentiating the fascism that infected Germany and Italy and the communism had taken over Russia and was spreading throughout Eastern Europe. In my unsophisticated (ignorant, uneducated - okay, just plain dumb) point of view all I could see was that the end result of these two systems on the opposite ends of the ideological spectrum were essentially identical in practical effect. Brutal dictatorships, oppression, suppression of dissent, elimination of freedoms. Their theoretical differences were swallowed up by a common playbook of … [Read more...] about Peas in a Pod: The Self-Appointed Prophet/Discernment Enforcer Playbook

The Tourney Challenge has come down to two people, and if it weren't for that rascal Jeremy Parks, I'd be one of the them! The front-runner in the bracket challenge is "Adam G in NC" who has 1170 points, a substantial lead (130 points) on second place (DisneyDavisClan). Both of these entrants have selected the evil and despicable Duke Blue Satans as the National Champions, so if the Dookies win, Adam is our tourney champ. The next six spots in the standings are taken by folks who went over to the dark side and chose "Tom Riddle" Calipari as their champion. They are done scoring points and … [Read more...] about An Update on the “SBC Voices NCAA Tourney Challenge”

Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. It is the ugliest and most beautiful story ever told. The most horrible and wonderful. The greatest tragedy and the highest glory. In telling the story of Jesus we sink lower than ever mankind has sunk before and we soar higher than we could ever imagine. It is awful, it is awe-inspiring. It is the story of Satan’s greatest victory and his ultimate defeat, the story of a gruesome death that brought life and hope and healing to all who believe the story. And so, … [Read more...] about That We Would See Jesus

Easter weekend is a highlight for any pastor and any church. There are two primary reasons for that: It's one of the Sundays that almost everyone goes to church. Chances are pretty good that this will be your biggest Sunday attendance this year, or pretty close to it. Let's admit it guys, as much as we'd like to be above that, it's more fun when the building is full. And the Easter message is the greatest story of all. Jesus died for our sins and rose again with life for all who believe. It's a pretty good story. I've often said that if you can't preach Good Friday and Easter, you … [Read more...] about Serving the Body of Christ on Easter Weekend