If we had it to do all over again We'd make so much better decisions. Only opening doors we should enter in Building lives without all the pretensions. With character above reproaching, And no reason to second-guess, With this sin no longer encroaching Doing nothing we need to confess. And, if they had the chance to redo it, Might forgiveness be not so held back? And peace found by those who pursue it? Would grace not be calling us back? The "we's" and the "they's" can begin again When both set aside all the fear, So the broken begin to mend from within While the … [Read more...] about Lead Us Not Into Confusion
State Conventions Deal with NAMB Changes: A State Executive’s Analysis (by Thomas Law)
Tom Law is the interim executive director of the Baptist Convention of Iowa. He was brought in after our previous executive retired and is trying to help us restructure and refocus our ministries here in Iowa. He is, to say the least, an expert in how NAMB policies are affecting state conventions. On March 19, 2012, Kevin Ezell wrote an article titled “CHURCHES, NOT INFRASTRUCTURE, BEST WAY TO REACH NEW AREAS”. This was his attempt to outline the strategy which the North American Mission Board (NAMB) was implementing with regards to the State Conventions that relate to the Southern Baptist … [Read more...] about State Conventions Deal with NAMB Changes: A State Executive’s Analysis (by Thomas Law)
The Mighty Men
This past week, I spent some time in 2 Samuel 23 to prepare to preach. I spent most of the sermon on the first part of that chapter, looking at David's last words to the people of Israel. The rest of the chapter is the recounting of David's Mighty Men. These men have drawn a decent amount of attention in recent years, as I have seen books about their various exploits and situations. It is not my intention to spend time on each and every one of them here. Instead, I think there's something instructive about the list in general. I. It is right and fitting that we honor the mighty men that … [Read more...] about The Mighty Men
Memorial Meanings and Patriotic Principles
In light of Memorial Day, and in grateful memory of the one million American men and women, in all of our nation's wars, who died to protect our freedoms, allow me to share three patriotic principles, which highlight three freedoms we are in danger of losing, not through war but in peacetime, as we fail to stand up for our rights. These are statements people make regularly about our American way of life, usually misrepresenting the nature of the concept in such a way as to distort completely its original purpose. 1. Legislating morality How many times have you heard people make the … [Read more...] about Memorial Meanings and Patriotic Principles
Homosexuality and the Church: Walking the Tightrope!
I remember sitting with my father at the SBC many years ago, when we were considering the motion to change our governing documents to disfellowship churches that took a soft stand on homosexuality. I will never forget what he said, as some argued that the action violated principles of autonomy and Baptist polity. They may be right that this is a departure from Baptist polity. But I can tell you that twenty years ago, no one in the Baptist world would have believed that we would be having a meeting to talk about what to do with Baptist churches that said homosexuality was okay. The world is … [Read more...] about Homosexuality and the Church: Walking the Tightrope!
I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther King
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly … [Read more...] about I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther King
The Last Full Measure of Devotion
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not … [Read more...] about The Last Full Measure of Devotion
Obama, Romney and Political Theology…
This is meant as a discussion starter. I have to admit a couple of things. First, I am pretty passionate about politics. Though I believe the church should not be devoted to political work, I am quite interested in it myself. Second, I'm having a struggle with voting this year in the presidential election. There is no way that I could ever vote for Barack Obama as president. First of all, I made a commitment long ago that if someone believes that killing a baby in its mother's womb is acceptable, they do not get my vote. Abortion isn't the only thing I care about, but it is … [Read more...] about Obama, Romney and Political Theology…
Fighting the Right Battle with the Wrong Weapons
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” What was Peter thinking? A detachment of soldiers, led by Judas, found Jesus and the disciples in the olive grove across the Kidron Valley, to arrest him. Peter, for reasons that escape me, had brought a sword to the prayer meeting, and he swung it. Badly. Being a fisherman, not a soldier, the best he could do was lop off the ear of the High … [Read more...] about Fighting the Right Battle with the Wrong Weapons
Open Email to Rich Overseas Donors
Dear My Friends Good But Sadly Suffering With The Sickness, For years now so many I have been in receipt of communications varied from strangers and people I have never yet the meeting opportunity being mine. As you can see from broken English mine so easily, this email is of the truth and coming from someone with good intention of nobility and to be generous. My attention has been coming to the astounding conclusiveness that people of means substantial, which is to say possessing considerable wherewithals, from nations abroad that no banks must availability be to them all, have … [Read more...] about Open Email to Rich Overseas Donors