SBC Issues

Okay, so I was a bit inspired by Dave Miller’s post giving advice to the young whippersnapper types around.  Now on the one hand they say, “You’re only as young as you feel!”  If that’s true, then I think I must be nearing retirement.  If 31 feels this different from 21, I hate to think what 41 or, gasp, 51 holds!  But no matter how I feel, I still fit into that whippersnapper category. Later this year will mark the completion of my 8th year in pastoral ministry.  While some would still consider that the infant stage, or maybe toddler, I tend to look at it more from the angle of, … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Whippersnapper

I just got back from the Republican Caucus.  Well, actually, I just got back from the Democratic Caucus as well.  We got some bad information and showed up at Obama headquarters and spent a few embarrassing minutes figuring out we were at the wrong place.  So, we ended up being a few minutes late when we finally got to the Republican Caucus. The Democratic Caucus process is really complicated. They have "viable" candidates and "non-viable" candidates and revotes and groupings and all sorts of things.  The Republican process is much simpler.  Each candidate gets five minutes of promotional … [Read more...] about A Baptist Pastor Caucusing in Iowa

Editor: CB shared this with me, and I meant to put it up on New Year's weekend - I was in deep mourning because evil prevailed so constantly in football, both college and pro over the weekend and my brain was not functioning correctly.  I forgot.  The video is pretty graphic. Beverage alcohol is a drug. The use of beverage alcohol has brought much sorrow to many people. The video below was sent to those of us in Alabama who support ALCAP (Alabama Citizens Action Program). I ask you to watch it. Give it some thought. … [Read more...] about FAMOUS LAST WORDS: I KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. I CAN HANDLE IT (CB Scott)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. As I was reflecting on the life of Augustine these words took on a little different shape for me.  I have always read these words as if Paul is saying, “don’t be a jerk to your kids, but instead bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  As if Paul is saying here, “Be nice to your kids and make sure you tell them about Jesus”.  I still think that is a good part of what Paul is saying.  I think he is speaking of tender nurturing and discipline and admonition in … [Read more...] about Dads, Show Them His Glory

The prophet Isaiah compared people to grass, which springs up quickly, flourishes, then dies down as the days grow cold. Life, even long life, passes quickly. I am feeling that so strongly this year. In the blog world, I'm an old fogey.  Of course, I'm way younger than CB Scott, but most of you who read this fall into the general category of what I call young whippersnappers (a term originally used to describe Matt Svoboda, but since expanded to refer to all you  youngsters who are pastors but only recently had to begin shaving!). I was one of those about a week and a half ago.  It seems … [Read more...] about How Quickly It All Goes By: A Meditation for Young Whippersnappers

New Year seems like a redemptive holiday to me.  A blank slate.  A fresh start.  A new chance to break some bad habits and start some good ones.  For a long time, I was an ardent New Year's Resolutionist!  I would sit down and makes plans and write down my goals and hopes for the year. Then, I realized something.  This year's resolutions look a lot like last year's. 1)  Spend more time in personal Bible study and prayer. 2)  Lose 30 pounds (or 40, or 50, 0r 75 - this one has fluctuated over time). 3) Finish several of the book projects I have growing spider webs on my hard … [Read more...] about Do You Make New Year’s Resolutions?

In the midst of the Calvinism/Arminianism storm, a few voices of reason have appeared in the Hickory Stump Baptist Association.  Pastor Cal Johnson, author of such books as “Total Depravity: A Study of In-Laws,” and “Irresistible Grace and the Boston Red Sox” is leading the charge towards a purer form of Calvinistic teachings. The key issue on which the pastor has based his appeal?  Voting for church membership. “Anyone who has been predestined to be saved will be saved.  Since being a Christian apart from the local church is anti-biblical, it follows that anyone who is predestined to be … [Read more...] about Local Baptist Churches Win Coveted “Most Calvinistic Association” Award

Okay…so we’re at the end of another year and getting ready to start the next.  It is around New Year’s that people tend to think about their past year and evaluate what they did well and what they did poorly, so they can make resolutions for the year to come.  Here’s a resolution I think all faithful Christians should commit to: in the upcoming year, and all the years left to come in our lives, we will do everything we can to not make God a priority. Now before I get ran off as some sort of heretic, consider a few things: “In the beginning, God.”—the first four words of most English … [Read more...] about Do Not Make God a Priority for 2012

Iowa has few marks of distinction - we grow a lot of corn, beef and pork.  We have a lot of high-tech industries and an advanced public education system.  But for one brief shining moment every four years the eyes of the nation are upon the cities and towns of this state.  Our caucuses (a sort of dysfunctional town-hall meeting) are the first stage in the nomination process for president of the United States. Last time around, Iowa Democrats shocked the nation by choosing Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton (who actually dropped to third behind John Edwards) and sending the current president on … [Read more...] about It’s One Week to the Caucus and I’m Still Confused