Cards on the table, here we go: I write this as a 36-year-old virgin. Believe me, I understand that a lot of people in this world think that idea is weird (and they probably think that I’m weird, too). But, you know what, that’s okay. I recently was engaged to be married in a couple of months and I am happy to be able to share that most physically intimate part of myself with just one beautiful lady. Why write about this? Because under the guise of the Christian faith, the Washington Post published an article recently by Bromleigh McCleneghan entitled: Sex and the single Christian: Why … [Read more...] about “Sex and the Single Christian”—a response
Holy and Blameless
It can happen to us all. We come to faith in Jesus and experience the joys of salvation, ready and eager to do what we can to serve others and share about the love we have experienced. And then we hear the voices, the crippling accusations. God could never use a person who has done the things you have. If they only knew what really went on in your mind, they would never accept you. You will never truly be good enough for God. And so those first tastes of joy begin to turn sour in our mouths. We pull back from serving. We keep quiet about the gospel. We neglect the relationships that … [Read more...] about Holy and Blameless
Why do we teach?
As much as we gather to sing praises to God and to pray for one another, much of what we do as churches is to teach. This teaching takes different forms: large group, small group, and one-on-one. It uses different methods: sermons, Sunday School lessons, books, and videos. Yet, what is our goal in teaching? Paul wrote to Timothy, who he urged to stay on in Ephesus, to encourage the church and its teachers away from false and divisive teachings. They were to avoid clinging to “myths and endless genealogies” for such “breeds disputes” (1 Timothy 1:3-4). Rather, Paul urged “the instruction … [Read more...] about Why do we teach?
Red Cup Redux (or: missions giving must be in our blood)
It was about a year ago that us Southern Baptists learned a somber truth: our International Mission Board had been deficit spending for several years and selling property to try to make ends meet to support the almost 5000 foreign missionaries on the field. This was not sustainable and to break even the IMB would need to find a way to bring hundreds of missionaries back home. The shock rippled throughout our churches and challenges were issued. If we did not find a way to increase support to our missions organizations then we were going to lose many seasoned frontline troops in the war to … [Read more...] about Red Cup Redux (or: missions giving must be in our blood)
Happy Independence Day!
Here are a few Bible passages to remember as we celebrate the 4th of July, all from the NLT: Respect, love, fear: “Respect everyone, and love the family of believers, fear God, and respect the King.” (1 Peter 2:17) Pray for our national, state, and local leaders: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Be thankful for freedoms, physical and spiritual, … [Read more...] about Happy Independence Day!
Not Every Crisis Needs An Immediate Response
We’ve all been there, those moments when faced by the “tyranny of the urgent” (as some call it). Emergencies that pop up, fires that spark, which seem to demand that we spring into action at that moment. If we don’t, then some will think us uncaring or, perhaps worse, unable. So the weight of the urgent weighs heavy, especially for us in leadership positions. With Jesus we see a different model—someone who remained calm when the world seemed to fall down around him. Such calm was not a lackadaisical response from a cold heart or inept abilities. Rather, he showed the response of a person … [Read more...] about Not Every Crisis Needs An Immediate Response
Three Men and a Vote
This year the messengers of the Sothern Baptist Convention have the privilege of selecting one of three men for SBC president (who realistically serve two one-year terms). While no person is perfect and we’re all sinners, some saved by grace through faith, all three nominees seem to be men of godly character who love Jesus, love the church, and love the lost. Still, only one can secure the office, and as a messenger I have just a single vote to give. I have pondered and prayed about what I will do with my vote (this heightened by the fact that this is my first SBC I’ve been able to … [Read more...] about Three Men and a Vote
The Christian and the Arts
The Christian should be the person who is alive, whose imagination absolutely boils, which moves…because God made us to be creative. ~ Francis Schaeffer, He Is There and He Is Not Silent I love writing stories. Ever since I was a little kid I would make up characters and play out a portion of their lives through pencil on paper. Even if I wasn’t writing stories, I would take my Legos and build different universes with different people and creatures and act out their stories within the jungle of the carpet. Still today I’ll write stories in my free time—a hobby, a way to de-stress, and a way … [Read more...] about The Christian and the Arts
A Moment of Introspection (a meditation)
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourself, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ~ Paul, 2 Corinthians 13:5 To close out his second letter (at least second letter that we still have) to the church at Corinth, Paul called the church to a moment of introspection. He wanted them to examine and test themselves to make sure their faith was genuine. You can’t blame Paul for this request. In the first letter we see again and again how much the Corinthians got wrong, though they were still … [Read more...] about A Moment of Introspection (a meditation)
Some Thoughts on Spiritual Gifts
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, by the same Spirit is the source of them all. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4 In two main places Paul wrote about spiritual gifts: 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12. In these passages we find some similarities and differences, with 1 Corinthians offering the most detail. You could sum up Paul’s core teaching on spiritual gifts as this: When we come to follow Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit and he provides us with different talents or abilities (either different from or enhancing our natural talents) in order to serve others, especially in our churches … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts on Spiritual Gifts