Yesterday Haylee, six, asked to make some sugar cookies. Being the doting grama that I am, I waddled out to the kitchen to find a recipe. Haylee pulled up a stool to the counter. Soon Kinsey, four, decided to "help" make cookies, too, and dragged a stool of her own to the counter. They were so close to me, I couldn't get the mixer out of the cupboard. After some adjustments, collecting untensils, and gathering ingredients, we set about making our confectionary delights. Haylee got to measure 2 and 3/4 cups flour into a bowl. Then I showed her how to level off a half-teaspoon of baking … [Read more...] about Working Things Out For Good
SBC Issues
Alvin Reid’s NAMB Perspective
Alvin Reid is a blogger worth reading. Dr. Reid is Professor of Evangelism and Student Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a frequent conference speaker. He has written an article called "Some Thoughts on NAMB Changes & President Kevin Ezell." It is a well-written analysis of recent NAMB changes and the work of Kevin Ezell. I have expressed reservations about what is going on at NAMB, as well as some angst about the demeanor and style of Kevin Ezell. Some of the commenters here have been very critical of Ezell and NAMB and some of the actions taken. Others, of … [Read more...] about Alvin Reid’s NAMB Perspective
NAMB Changes: Are We Courting Disaster for SBC Disaster Relief?
I just read the article from Baptist Press regarding the new changes at NAMB. I am cautiously optimistic about the impact that this will have. We have transitioned through a "regionalized" restructuring here in the Dakota Baptist Convention and it has been a positive overall. It was certainly cause for apprehension as we started the process a few years ago, but we found over time that it helped our state staff be more accessible and more able to respond at a personal level over the older model of a centralized office. So hear me when I say that I think the regional aspect of the new … [Read more...] about NAMB Changes: Are We Courting Disaster for SBC Disaster Relief?
Why Call it Brokenness?
By Thom Hunter – www.thomhunter.com "I cannot stress this enough to you, but I'll still say it: I'll never be Christian. I think your Bible is nothing more than a piece of literature. I don't believe in your God, and never will. But I will criticize you when you use your God to "fix" homosexuality, as if it were something to be fixed." -- An anonymous young friend I have broken only two bones in my lifetime. A wrist and a rib. The result of each was an increase in pain, a decrease in mobility and a denied sense of helplessness during a time of adjustment and healing. I still have the … [Read more...] about Why Call it Brokenness?
Christians and the Environment
As I sit in the middle of near-zero temperatures with over a foot of snow on the ground, a particular topic comes to mind that produces strong opinions in religion, politics, nightly news, etc…how should Christians think in regards to environmentalism, global warming, earth’s resources and so forth? In other words: what should our role be in relation to the environment? Sometimes it seems if you mention the words “environmentalism” or worse “global warming” it tends to conjure up pictures of left-wing zealots with political agendas who hug trees and try to scare little children with stories … [Read more...] about Christians and the Environment
I Need Help!
I know. Insert your joke here... Seriously, I am looking for people who want to write for SBC Voices. I can offer you the same money I get (if you are good, I will double your salary!). But the main thing I can offer you is an audience. We have that at SBC Voices. This is a very active website (less so in the last few days since I haven't been posting anything, of course). People will read what you write. They will, of course, comment as well. Our comment streams tend to get lively at times, out of control at other times. I try to exert some measure of control, but the SBC … [Read more...] about I Need Help!
Incontrovertible Proof of a Conspiracy to Silence Bloggers
I was shocked this week when I found evidence of an underground, black-ops effort to silence Baptist bloggers who criticize the SBC in any way. We got our new "Yellow Book" phone book this week. For years, Southern Hills Baptist Church has been listed under "Churches: Baptist" and "Churches: Southern Baptist." But now, this year, a few months after I become the editor of SBC Voices, this ad appears in the 2011 Yellow Book. That's right, folks. Powerful forces have hacked into the secure systems of Yellow Book and secretly kicked my church out of the SBC and into the African … [Read more...] about Incontrovertible Proof of a Conspiracy to Silence Bloggers
“Snowmageddon” and Why Your Theology Matters!
On April 14, I will have been a pastor in Iowa for twenty years. I spent 14 1/2 years in Cedar Rapids and now have been in Sioux City for (you could probably do the math yourself) nearly 5 1/2 years. Iowa has some pretty unpleasant winters (though Jeff Musgrave can probably tell stories that will make me feel like a Floridian). This morning when I drove my daughter to school, it was 11 degrees below zero - actual temps, not windchills. We had a pretty brutal storm on Monday, which dumped several inches of snow on us, which blew sideways in blizzard conditions. The snow let up during … [Read more...] about “Snowmageddon” and Why Your Theology Matters!
House Hunting with Spoiled Brats
I am laying on the floor of my family room right now, hovering between Stage 1 and Stage 2 of influenza. Stage 1: I want to die. Please let me die. Stage 2: I guess I'm going to live, but I'm not that thrilled about it. Stage 3: Jimmy Stewart on the Bridge - I want to live again, Clarence. I want to live. Over the last week, as I have dipped in and out of Stage 1, I have done more of one thing than ever before. I've watched HGTV. I live in the same house I've lived in for 5 years and have no plans to move or to sell any time soon. But I have gotten engrossed in "House Hunters," "House … [Read more...] about House Hunting with Spoiled Brats
If Any Doubts Remain about Planned Parenthood…
Watch this video. Planned Parenthood, New Jersey, counsels a man posing as a pimp and a woman who "works" for him how to skirt laws and get abortions and other services for girls as young as 14 who are working as prostitutes. The video is shocking, and not for the young or the weak of heart. But if anyone needs more evidence of the immorality or utter craven motives of Planned Parenthood, watch this video. What is shocking is how enthusiastic the Planned Parenthood worker is about advising this "pimp" on the ins and outs of skirting the law. She even gives advice about how to … [Read more...] about If Any Doubts Remain about Planned Parenthood…