SBC Issues

Let me begin with two admissions: 1)  Mark Driscoll's "I See Things" video is a little outside of my comfort zone. I've "heard God's Voice."  I've discerned the presence of demons.  I've had some insights into the future and into people's lives that I can't describe any other way than God's Spirit.  But I've never seen people's lives on a screen in front of me.  The extent of Driscoll's "visions" and the way he describes them are beyond my experience - uncomfortably so. 2)  If Benny Hinn or some other "charismaniac" said the same things, I'd probably be more likely to join into the … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll “Sees Things” – I See the Rise of SES* in the SBC (*Supernaturalism Embarrassment Syndrome)

So this time of year is full of joy and slight annoyances. I wanted to share my list of humbugs with you as we are all joyus and grouchy. 1. X-Mas. It drives me crazy when Christians make a big deal about X-Mas (you heard me). X=Greek for Christ. WE STARTED THIS, we wrote x-mas when we understood what it meant. Pagan's don't want to take Christ out of Christmas, they are oblivious, they don't care. We did it, forgot we did it and then got ticked off. 2. Happy Holidays. Holiday means "Holy Days". It's not much different that Christmas, it means days that God set apart as Holy. STOP … [Read more...] about Things That Drive Me Crazy About Christmas

Have you caught the fever yet?   … [Read more...] about If Skip Bayless came to SBC Voices

Ed Stetzer released a post today called "Top Religion Stories of 2011 according to Huffpo."  According to the Huffington Post, the top 11 stories of the year in the world of religion are: The Muslim Spring The Dalai Lama Steps Down Mormons in Politics The Muslims Are Coming, The Muslims Are Coming The End of the World Presbyterians Acknowledge Gays and Lesbians Can Be Ministers The Struggle for the Soul of Yoga A Jewish American-Israeli Rift? Occupy Faith The New Mass Interfaith Secularists While there are still two and a half weeks left in the year, and there is … [Read more...] about SBC Voices 2011 “Top Ten” Baptist Blogging Issues and Events

“I have some bad news”. I have come to loathe those words.  It’s not so much the actual bad news that I disdain as much as the infinitesimal pause before the bomb drops.  In that second, which seems to last a millennium, my mind races to predict what darkness—once hidden in the unknown—will now be birthed into light. This time the “bad news” was about our hopes of being able to feel a little more settled.  My wife and I had been given great hope that we would be able to look for a house and live in something we could call “ours” for less money than we are currently throwing away in our … [Read more...] about Bad News Good

 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  -Galatians 4:4-5 10 Commandments For Christmas I.  Thou shalt not leave "Christ" out of "Christmas" nor refuse to use the word Christmas during this season. II.  Thou shalt demonstrate joy to the world, for the Lord is come. III.  Thou shalt not let Santa Claus take the place of the reality of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. IV.  Thou shalt remember that the value of gifts we give … [Read more...] about Ten Commandments for Christmas (by David Brumbelow)

I thought I would bring this up to let the whole lot of us discuss what your church's specific plans are and why. This year, Christmas falls on the 25th. The 25th also falls on a Sunday. So, who is changing their church schedule because a normal Sunday schedule and Christmas Day do not seem to mix? For us in Duckland: Christmas Eve Service the night before at 630 PM. Christmas Day: Sunday Morning at 10 AM instead of 11, no Sunday School, and no evening service.   We did this because: 1. I like Christmas Eve services. I like them any year Christmas Eve is on a … [Read more...] about Christmas on a Sunday? What to do?

I get this question often.  Is it wrong to use cremation as a means of disposing of a loved-one's remains?  I read another article this morning that said that cremation (a cheaper alternative than burial) is growing rapidly in this difficult economy.  That is buttressed by my own conversations with local funeral directors who have observed essentially the same thing. Cremation is becoming more common and we must answer the question whether it was wrong. I would make the following two points: 1)  The Bible does not mandate any single way of handling bodies.  The Jews did not practice … [Read more...] about Is It Wrong to Cremate?

Celebration of Christmas at the Miller house has not yet officially begun this year.   For me, the celebration really begins when the tree goes up.  I have two strong convictions about the Christmas tree. 1)  The Christmas tree must be real.  For some reason, people get offended when I say this, but "artificial trees are for artificial people."  Why would that offend?  I can't imagine.  But I want Fraser Fur needles dropping on the floor and the smell of pine throughout the house.  So what if it triggers allergies?  Sacrifices have to be made! 2) The Christmas tree must have so many lights … [Read more...] about Celebrating Christmas: Getting to the Root of the Season