Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). This post was originally published at his site. Nearly three years ago at this time, my wife and I were in China getting ready to meet our little girl--now over 4 years old--and complete all the in-country and American citizenship paperwork that would both make her our daughter, and an American citizen. We landed in Beijing, and spent two days touring the city while the Chinese government finalized all the details for our … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Mosquitoes (by Joel Rainey)
Should Christians Support U.S. Involvement in Syria’s Civil War? (by Alan Cross)
Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. The war drums are beating for the United States again and this time they involve Syria. The accusation is that Syria's dictator, Bashar Assad, has attacked his own people with chemical weapons (sarin nerve gas) and that a thousand innocent civilians have been killed with thousands more injured. Assad denies this and some reports claim that the Syrian Rebels were the ones to actually carry out the attack in the hopes that the West would come to their aid and blame Assad. The Syrian Rebels have been infiltrated by Al Qaeda cells as well and have also … [Read more...] about Should Christians Support U.S. Involvement in Syria’s Civil War? (by Alan Cross)
Putting Online Shepherding In Its Place
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you…” When Al Gore invented the internet* a new opportunity for “pastoring” was also invented. With a few strokes on my keyboard and a click of the mouse I can sit under teaching from all around the world. I can be “pastored” by a guy that I’ve never met and live in a “community” filled with people I’ve never actually seen. I believe God inspired Peter to add those little words, “that is among you”, for a reason. You cannot rightly “exercise oversight” if you’ve never actually sat across from a person. That is why Peter exhorts the elders to … [Read more...] about Putting Online Shepherding In Its Place
Movies and Sermons, The Butler and the pastor
Having followed the discussion regarding the movie The Butler, I thought I would add my two cents worth. Not about race relations in America--that would take a whole different post with a whole lot of explanations. What I find interesting is tracking the reactions to The Butler. It is evident that, in the typical style of Hollywood, the creators of this movie played fast and loose with the facts at hand. Portions of the overall experience of life for an African-American during those years were portrayed as if they happened within the life of the family actually named in the film. That these … [Read more...] about Movies and Sermons, The Butler and the pastor
The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Narrative New Testament Passages
Even while I was authoring my earlier post, I suspected that my next installment might not be able to come forth until after VBS was over. Indeed, things have unfolded to be even worse than that. I wrote my last post while I was visiting family in the Ozarks of Missouri, and I have not been able to return to this task until I have returned to the Missouri Ozarks. I therefore bring this post to you knowing that the elapsed interim is an eternity in blog years. For that, I beg your pardon. I previously took for myself a narrow task—"The consideration of what the relevant non-narrative … [Read more...] about The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Narrative New Testament Passages
How Jonathan Edwards Wrecked My Soul
That title is misleading. It needs to be more Edwardsean to be accurate. It should be titled How a Wrong-Headed Application of Jonathan Edwards Has Nearly Made Shipwreck of My Soul. Let me explain. About seven years ago I read this Resolution of Jonathan Edwards: 5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can. Since that moment I have made it my ambition to not lose one moment of time for the glory of God. I have failed at this on numerous occasions. But one thing you could say about me is that I have been driven. I have been driven to … [Read more...] about How Jonathan Edwards Wrecked My Soul
Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge: It’s Weigh-In Time
For those of you participating in the Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge, it is time for our first weigh-in and progress report. You can post your weigh-in numbers here if you are brave, or you can send them to my Voices email (yes, it's real - davemillerisajerk@hotmail.com ). I am off on a long walk/hike with my lovely wife, so let us know what's happening, guys! By the way, if you've had a bad month and failed - we still want you to be a part of this challenge. Do better next month! God bless you. … [Read more...] about Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge: It’s Weigh-In Time
Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor: Speaking the Truth in Love
A friend took me out to a little tea shop for some “fellowship” one day about 3 years ago – someone I had known in high school and had only recently reconnected with. I was actually doing some ministry where he lived and worked and he was my host. It was great to catch up and renew our friendship. But then, that day, he dropped a bomb on me. I don’t remember his exact words, but it was something like this. “Dave, you make a lot of jokes about your weight, but maybe you should start taking this a little more seriously.” He is my age, but a highly conditioned athlete who has remained … [Read more...] about Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor: Speaking the Truth in Love
Free Pray For Your Wife eBook
This week we will complete the 31 Day Pray For Your Wife Challenge. It has been an amazing experience to dedicate an entire month to pray for my wife. I believe other men have been blessed as well. I’ve been taken aback by the way that God has answered prayers in the life of these men. Many have asked how they could continue praying for their wives. I know I intend to keep praying for my wife as well. To help men continue to pray for their wives, and to extend this beyond the initial group, I’ve decided to make available a free eBook for all those that participated in the prayer … [Read more...] about Free Pray For Your Wife eBook
Love The Jaded Among The Church (by Joshua Breland)
Joshua Breland blogs at "A Return to Faith." Right now, there are jaded people among your church body. Some are laypeople, some are deacons, some are perhaps elders or pastors. But know this, there are Christians in your congregation who are hurting and struggling with their faith and their relationship to the church. Merriam-Webster can help us understand what I mean by “jaded”: jaded: made dull, apathetic, or cynical by experience Merriam-Webster accurately describes where I am at in regards to the local church, Christian organizations, and theSouthern Baptist Convention. I do not admit … [Read more...] about Love The Jaded Among The Church (by Joshua Breland)