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…
Not Sure Where I Fit In…(by Tom Bryant)
(Editor: I often browse the blogs of people who comment here at SBC Voices. I browsed Tom's blog - The View from Osprey - yesterday and came to one conclusion - he doesn't write often enough. He has a brilliant post which I got permission to copy here. Thought you might enjoy it.) Do you ever feel like you don’t fit in among any of the evangelical groups? I’m not a Calvinist, but I am uncomfortable at my fellow non-Cals painting Calvinists as the evil spawn of a new fascism with a desire to take over the SBC. I am not a Calvinist, but Al Mohler’s idea that Reformed theology … [Read more...] about Not Sure Where I Fit In…(by Tom Bryant)
Christians and Internet Presence: A Roundtable with Trevin Wax, Steve McCoy, Jared Wilson, and Brandon Smith
This is the most popular blog post of all-time at my blog, and I thought the Voices readers would enjoy and be blessed by it, as well. In attempt to look at the practicality and benefits of social media and blogging for Christians, three friends who have experience with popularity in the blogging and social media world (with 4-digit Twitter followers and top 100 Christian blogs) joined me to discuss. It is my aim that this discussion would help you personally and the Church as a whole consider the Kingdom implications of blogging and social media. THE PANEL: Trevin Wax BLOG: … [Read more...] about Christians and Internet Presence: A Roundtable with Trevin Wax, Steve McCoy, Jared Wilson, and Brandon Smith
Church or Super Bowl? An Old-School View
So, are you having church Sunday night (if you normally do)? Services cancelled? A Super Bowl party on the church's big screen? At Southern Hills Baptist Church, we will be having our regularly scheduled service at our regularly scheduled time. Are we the last church in America that carries on as normal on Super Bowl Sunday night? I would love it if the only voice in my head was the still small voice of the Lord leading and guiding me. But I have another voice there. It's the voice of Lew Miller. I grew up in a preacher's home - one who had some pretty strong beliefs about some … [Read more...] about Church or Super Bowl? An Old-School View
A Moral Dilemma: Can I Cheer for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers in the Super Bowl?
(This was originally posted Wednesday at sbcIMPACT. Thought it might be a good Super Bowl Week discussion starter) I’ve been a Steeler’s fan since my high school years, when Terry Bradshaw had hair and was rifling passes to Lynn Swann and John Stallworth; since Jack Hamm, Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene erected a Steel Curtain that brought even the most powerful offenses to their knees. Four times I cheered passionately as they crushed their Super Bowl foes in the 70's. My passion for the Steelers waned a bit in recent years. I still cheered for them, but as I got to know the life … [Read more...] about A Moral Dilemma: Can I Cheer for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers in the Super Bowl?