We have some good posts in the bullpen awaiting me to hit the magic publish button. But it is my belief that there are much better things to do this next few days than to blog. Chew on turkey, not on SBC news, opinion and perspective. We'll be back up and publishing on Monday. I have a long to-do list for the next couple of days. 1) I broke my turkey deep-frier thermometer and have to get one. No turkey should be prepared in any way other than by deep frying. It is a moral obligation. I've also got to make sure I've got a fresh bottle of propane (and propane accessories). 2) … [Read more...] about See you Monday. Happy Thanksgiving from SBC Voices!
SBC Issues
Sharing the Gospel is as Easy as KtGMSCSPSCSEP4D (*)
(*) Thankfully, it is much easier than that! Not long ago I was explaining the Christian faith to someone and they said that nobody ever explained it so clearly before. While that is a very gracious compliment to me, I couldn't help think of it as a charge against every other Christian this person has met. I know for a fact that at other times I, too, have not been clear. Yes, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who opens the ears of the hearer, but from the opening pages of the book of Acts onward, we see that those who proclaim Christ do so in the power of the Holy Spirit and with human … [Read more...] about Sharing the Gospel is as Easy as KtGMSCSPSCSEP4D (*)
I Am Satisfied (from Micah Fries)
(Micah was gracious to share this great piece with us originally published at MicahFries.com, his blog. Enjoy! Jesus says that being a disciple requires denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Him. If this is true, why is it possible to look across the landscape of Evangelicalism in American and see so little self-denial, cross bearing, following of Jesus? Why is prosperity theology so dominant in the American landscape? Why do Christians seem to struggle so intensely with the presence of pain in their lives? Could it be that we have misrepresented Jesus and His … [Read more...] about I Am Satisfied (from Micah Fries)
These things I am thankful for…
With thanksgiving coming, I thought it only appropriate that I share some things I am thankful for… 1. The changing of the seasons. One of my best friends, my old roommate from seminary, is from southern Georgia whereas I have spent the vast majority of my life in central Missouri. He always hated this time of year outside of the south—because 40 is just too cold, and everything dies (green going to brown and falling off, that is). But I will take cool weather, the smell of fire places, the changing leaves, the morning haze through the brown trees, the snow, and my 4 wheel drive any … [Read more...] about These things I am thankful for…
Redemption for a Badnewsaphobe
If you look up an indexed list of phobias (which every sane person does daily, right?!?)…there you will notice what seems to me a strange phobia: euphobia. Euphobia is the fear of hearing good news. Strangely absent from the list is a fear of hearing bad news. Apparently, fearing bad news is perfectly acceptable. That’s good for me that this particular phobia did not make the list, because I’m a badnewsaphobe. Unfortunately for me though, it does make God’s list of junk that’s not fitting for those living in redemption instead of rebellion. And that stings. My badnewsaphobia is … [Read more...] about Redemption for a Badnewsaphobe
One Man’s Rant: Resenting the Increasing Encroachment of Black Friday on Thanksgiving!
I'm a little mad. Let me tell you all about it. I will admit that I've been an active participant in Black Friday chaos in years past. I've stood outside Best Buy in 11 degree weather with friends and family waiting for the store to open and the madness to begin. In the "good old days" we had to get up and go to the store by about 2 or 3 in the morning to get a decent place in line. The last time I stood in the queue was a few years back and we had to go there around 8:30 on Thanksgiving evening to get our place and wait for 5 AM when the store would open. Now, the Black Friday, our … [Read more...] about One Man’s Rant: Resenting the Increasing Encroachment of Black Friday on Thanksgiving!
Sunday school, are you doing it wrong? A follow up to the Lifeway Article.
When I posted my topic on Lifeway, most of the comments I received was about how the material wasn't deep enough for Sunday School. Let me say first that I believe in Sunday School, I love Sunday School and I think it's important, but it's not the whole shebang. Sunday School is PART of the Discipleship Process. In most churches, people begin with a Worship Service. From there, they should move to Sunday School, and from there to a Discipleship Group. Worship Services explore theological issues, they are broad, they are designed for a giant mixed audience of believers, non-believers. From … [Read more...] about Sunday school, are you doing it wrong? A follow up to the Lifeway Article.
Christians and the Demonic—Another Take
In another post a day or two ago, Dave Miller related to us an experience he had a couple of years back concerning what seemed to be a demonic influence over a professing Christian. For most of us who have been in the ministry for any length of time, we have either experienced or know those who have experienced what can best be described as demonic influences over the lives of people that we truly believe are sincere, professing Christians. Yet as Dave indicated, and as I agree with: this creates a tension between experience and theology for some of us. So what do we do with the questions … [Read more...] about Christians and the Demonic—Another Take
When injustice is enough justice: Parsing theology into nothingness (by Marty Duren)
Editor: If Baptist Blogging had a Hall of Fame, Marty Duren would certainly be enshrined there. He still blogs at martyduren.com and always has something worthwhile to say. I was thrilled when Marty offered this article originally published at his site. Enjoy! Part of this post deals with the terrible situation at Penn State University that broke in recent days. Because my website crashed and was down for several days I was unable to write a full post and was limited to expressing my outrage on Twitter and a few Facebook status updates. Suffice it to say that I am thoroughly disgusted with … [Read more...] about When injustice is enough justice: Parsing theology into nothingness (by Marty Duren)
No Child Left Alone
While the Penn State scandal is a wake up call to all organizations--civic, government, commercial, educational and religious--it is especially a challenge for churches, which provide predators an environment of naively trusting children and adults interacting socially--exactly what they need to commit their crimes. Many Measures Protect the Organization In the aftermath of such a tragedy, people with good intentions often recommend a wide variety of measures which we assume will help reduce the risk of abuse and protect the children. Sadly, although these measures may help somewhat, … [Read more...] about No Child Left Alone