“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -- Matthew 22:36-40 Christians do few things worse than share the love of Christ and the reality of healing and forgiveness with the sexually-disses among us. That would be the disoriented, the disappointed, the disturbed and the roundly discussed and often … [Read more...] about Why We Shouldn’t Argue About Sex
Preparing For When the Lights Go Out
I’ve shared in the past that I struggle with depression, discouragement, or if you’re feeling extra Elizabethan “fits of melancholy”. I loathe these times. I know what it is like to live in the enjoyment of what Christ has purchased. I know what it is like to be “on fire for the Lord”. In these times I figure I see things rather clearly. I see gospel metaphors everywhere. I see the beauty of Jesus all around me. In these times I am feasting on the goodness and greatness of God. I cherish these times. But then for some unknown (at least to me) reason the lights go out. Sometimes … [Read more...] about Preparing For When the Lights Go Out
Are You a Gulf War or World War II Christian?
I've been thinking a lot about politics lately; as an Iowan, it was hardly an option. And I have been writing about politics a lot lately - something I have promised to correct. Don't worry, while I'm going to start with politics and patriotism as a background, I've got a very biblical and spiritual point to make in this post. America's Greatest Economic Challenge As I have observed American politics and the American economy, I think I have placed my finger on what our biggest political problem is. We want to "fix our country" but we don't want to change anything significant while we … [Read more...] about Are You a Gulf War or World War II Christian?
Confessions of a Whippersnapper
Okay, so I was a bit inspired by Dave Miller’s post giving advice to the young whippersnapper types around. Now on the one hand they say, “You’re only as young as you feel!” If that’s true, then I think I must be nearing retirement. If 31 feels this different from 21, I hate to think what 41 or, gasp, 51 holds! But no matter how I feel, I still fit into that whippersnapper category. Later this year will mark the completion of my 8th year in pastoral ministry. While some would still consider that the infant stage, or maybe toddler, I tend to look at it more from the angle of, … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Whippersnapper
A Baptist Pastor Caucusing in Iowa
I just got back from the Republican Caucus. Well, actually, I just got back from the Democratic Caucus as well. We got some bad information and showed up at Obama headquarters and spent a few embarrassing minutes figuring out we were at the wrong place. So, we ended up being a few minutes late when we finally got to the Republican Caucus. The Democratic Caucus process is really complicated. They have "viable" candidates and "non-viable" candidates and revotes and groupings and all sorts of things. The Republican process is much simpler. Each candidate gets five minutes of promotional … [Read more...] about A Baptist Pastor Caucusing in Iowa
You are not alone in the woods
Back on the New Year's Resolutions post, I told Dave I'd try to write more for Voices. Well, more than my recent stream of goofy and non-serious comments. I might dig up something controversial to help with the blog traffic, but for now the most controversial I'll get is gun ownership and responsible wildlife management. These past few months, I've been spending a good part of my time in the early mornings or late afternoons sitting on the edge of farm fields at rest, waiting for certain forest animals to make their appearance. The plan, of course, is to shoot one of the deer when they come … [Read more...] about You are not alone in the woods
FAMOUS LAST WORDS: I KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. I CAN HANDLE IT (CB Scott)
Editor: CB shared this with me, and I meant to put it up on New Year's weekend - I was in deep mourning because evil prevailed so constantly in football, both college and pro over the weekend and my brain was not functioning correctly. I forgot. The video is pretty graphic. Beverage alcohol is a drug. The use of beverage alcohol has brought much sorrow to many people. The video below was sent to those of us in Alabama who support ALCAP (Alabama Citizens Action Program). I ask you to watch it. Give it some thought. … [Read more...] about FAMOUS LAST WORDS: I KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. I CAN HANDLE IT (CB Scott)
5 Questions with….an IMBer in Contemplation of Past and Future
Hey folks, it's time for a new installment of our award-winning "5 Questions with..." series. We've been taking a brief hiatus, one that was not foreknown but was indeed predestined by my fall workload. Today's subject is Fuzzy Goldenblister, an IMB worker for somewhere between 10 and 15 years. He's roguishly handsome, erudite, and cooks a mean mac-and-cheese with peanut brittle casserole, but he possesses almost zero people skills. We caught up with Fuzzy as he was polishing a turtle in the back yard. 1. Looking back at yourself and the IMB, what lessons did you learn or mistakes did … [Read more...] about 5 Questions with….an IMBer in Contemplation of Past and Future
Dads, Show Them His Glory
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. As I was reflecting on the life of Augustine these words took on a little different shape for me. I have always read these words as if Paul is saying, “don’t be a jerk to your kids, but instead bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” As if Paul is saying here, “Be nice to your kids and make sure you tell them about Jesus”. I still think that is a good part of what Paul is saying. I think he is speaking of tender nurturing and discipline and admonition in … [Read more...] about Dads, Show Them His Glory
How Quickly It All Goes By: A Meditation for Young Whippersnappers
The prophet Isaiah compared people to grass, which springs up quickly, flourishes, then dies down as the days grow cold. Life, even long life, passes quickly. I am feeling that so strongly this year. In the blog world, I'm an old fogey. Of course, I'm way younger than CB Scott, but most of you who read this fall into the general category of what I call young whippersnappers (a term originally used to describe Matt Svoboda, but since expanded to refer to all you youngsters who are pastors but only recently had to begin shaving!). I was one of those about a week and a half ago. It seems … [Read more...] about How Quickly It All Goes By: A Meditation for Young Whippersnappers