Today is the Winter Solstice, egad, 'the shortest day of the year' sayeth the pessimist. "Thank God! Days get longer from here on," sayeth the optimist. So, into the valley of death rides the intrepid old-school blogger tackling the hard issues with as little daylight as possible. I freely declare that I am a pagan, using the original sense etymologically of the word. I live in the country, a rustic. Proof positive is that I can see no neighbors from my house, not one, and none can see me. Hah! Amazon, UPS, and FedEx, of course, regularly invade my space and mess up my yard. … [Read more...] about The Winter Solstice Edition and why Miller and I are grouches and I’m a pagan
Non-Debatable Realities of Christmas
Here are the non-debatable, inarguable realities of Christmas. You may not agree. This is America. You have the right to be wrong! George C. Scott was Scrooge and other versions are vying for second place in "which is the best 'Christmas Carol'" discussions. He is the gold standard. Die Hard was an entertaining action movie set at a Christmas party. It is NOT a Christmas movie and only heretics, Gnostics, and liberals say it is. The Christmas classic "A Christmas Story" should have ended with the narrator, the adult Ralphie, appearing with an eye patch, after shooting his eye out … [Read more...] about Non-Debatable Realities of Christmas
He Understood Christmas
With all the foofaraw and hullaballoo of the Christmas season, do you ever wonder if people really understand what it’s all about? They celebrate frenetically but have little clue about the reality of Christmas. This is nothing new. Most people were oblivious to the birth of the Savior when it happened. The residents of Bethlehem, even those where Mary and Joseph sought refuge, could have had a front-row seat to the birth of the Messiah but were clueless. The intelligentsia of Israel was ignorant and blind. They didn’t even walk six miles to find out if the one they’d awaited for centuries was … [Read more...] about He Understood Christmas
Pickleball, those old family life centers, and our declining birth rate
Among the things we Southern Baptists know as reality but seldom express is that churches will almost always be happy to undertake projects that expand their buildings. It makes us feel good about ourselves, as in 'we might not be growing but take a look at our facilities.' If one looks around there are scads of SBC churches who can count several successful building programs in their history. And don't call me a cynic (I prefer 'realist') when I write that the pastor who leads in building that new sanctuary, that new educational building, that new family life center is more likely to be … [Read more...] about Pickleball, those old family life centers, and our declining birth rate
‘Tis the season for seasons, ubiquitous seasons, generic seasons, euphemistic seasons, ridiculous seasons
Here in Georgia we have four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter. Spring is great unless it comes early and leaves quickly, then we have three seasons: summer, fall, winter. Summer is tolerable here, unlike New Orleans and Houston where the devil makes his seasonal residence with oppressive heat and humidity being constant and unpleasant companions. Fall is always super. Winter is OK if you take extra vitamin D to stave off the morose feelings for those long stretches of cold, rainy days with no sunshine. In the south there's really just two seasons: SEC football season and not … [Read more...] about ‘Tis the season for seasons, ubiquitous seasons, generic seasons, euphemistic seasons, ridiculous seasons
Anathematize the Heretics Who Cancel Christmas Church?
Rumor has it that woke liberal leftist pastors are considering doing the unthinkable on Sunday, December 25. When they should be gathered with the people of God celebrating the birth of Christ they will be nestled in their beds demonstrating their worldliness. Heathens and heretics! I will be honest, I could not cancel church on Christmas Sunday. That comes from conviction, but also from my tradition and training. My dad (also my pastor through my formative years) wavered slightly in his view of eternal security when people dared to cancel church for Christmas or Super Bowls or anything … [Read more...] about Anathematize the Heretics Who Cancel Christmas Church?
Evidence of Evangelical Dysfunction?
In the Fullness of Time
Does it sometimes feel like Heaven has gone silent and God isn’t listening anymore, your prayers are ignored and your name is forgotten? We all go through this at some point. The Psalms are filled with Laments asking why God is far off, not hearing or responding. We get discouraged, even depressed, and live that dark night of the soul. Sometimes, none of the Bible’s promises feel real. In 400 BC, Malachi prophesied, calling Israel to repent, and then God went silent - no prophetic word for nearly 400 years. Empires rose and fell, and most oppressed or enslaved Israel. Rebellions arose among … [Read more...] about In the Fullness of Time
Hard to see the matter of ordination as a tool in preventing clergy abuse
Just the facts, friends, just the facts. Here's what the Baptist Faith and Message says about pastor ordination: A leading seminary president has said that Southern Baptists don't have a theology of ordination. A brilliant and erudite blogger has said that some churches would ordain a ham sandwich. OK, maybe a turkey sandwich, a fish taco, a bowl of spicy ramen noodles, or the ultimate: a Chic-fil-A sandwich. Here's where you go in the SBC to find a registry of all ordained ministers: www.fahgettaboutitSBC. There is no requirement that any pastor in any position be … [Read more...] about Hard to see the matter of ordination as a tool in preventing clergy abuse
When and Why to Revoke Ordination
Several days ago, Bart Barber, our current SBC president, declared that he would “defrock” (unordain) Johnny Hunt if he had the power to do so. His emphatic declaration seems to have prompted Baptist News Global to publish two articles on ordination, more specifically revoking ordination. The articles, written by Marv Knox, Curtis Freeman, and Mark Wingfield, are certainly thought-provoking. (They inspired me to write this post.) This post is not meant to be a poll on Johnny Hunt; rather, I want us to focus on revoking ordination. How is that done? What would justify revoking a pastor’s … [Read more...] about When and Why to Revoke Ordination