I plan to devote the next several days to activities that do not involve blogging. May get back to it Monday or Tuesday. If someone else writes something, I'll try to post it. But let's go home, get comfy and wait for CB Scott to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls! Seriously, Celebrate Jesus! … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas!
The View From This Inn
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? -- Matthew 6:27 I have at times in the past skated on very thin ice, life-speaking. I have also been tested by fire and occasionally found lacking. I have been cold and I have been warm and I have been luke . . . as in lukewarm, somewhere in the sad and unsatisfying middle. But this year, as Christmas closes in, I am at peace, almost overwhelmed by the incredible undeniable truth that wherever and whenever, I am never alone. And never will be. Last Saturday night, one week before Christmas, around 10:30 p.m., our house went up in … [Read more...] about The View From This Inn
The Need for Inerrancy
Originally posted at Modern March | Connect with Brandon on Twitter Inerrancy is a hot-button word in Evangelicalism. Men who stand for it are often called fundamentalists or legalists. Men who stand against it are called heretics and liberals. The Conservative Resurgence in the SBC surely polarized this subject on a broad scale, above and beyond Baptist life. In any event, say what you wish and stand where you want. As for me, I need the Bible to be inerrant. The Bible cannot merely be another religious book with some truth in it. Adam and Eve cannot be simply a poetic example … [Read more...] about The Need for Inerrancy
The Perfect Gift: A Children’s Story
There was a father who loved his children very much and he was willing to do whatever it took to make them happy. If they wanted something, he got it – nothing was too good or too expensive for his son and his daughter. But no matter what he did, his children were not truly happy. Christmas was coming, but still his children had no joy. They complained and whined. They fought and called names. The father sat in his easy chair one evening, thinking. Why can’t my children be happy? I have given them everything they could possibly want. What more can I do? Suddenly, a thought … [Read more...] about The Perfect Gift: A Children’s Story
(At Least) 9 Ways to Stay Pure on the Internet
(Editor's Note: I came on Anthony Russo's blog a while back and was impressed with his writing. His last post was about Burger King and McDonald's, and Calvinism - all juicy subjects. This one is important for every one of us who has a computer - as since this is a blog, that is ALL of us!) Death by double-click. It's that easy. For millions of us the internet is a necessity of daily living, like our car, our credit card, or cell phone. We may joke that those things are “necessary evils”, and maybe they are, but not in the same way the internet is. Our cars don’t throw provocative … [Read more...] about (At Least) 9 Ways to Stay Pure on the Internet
Don’t Celebrate Christmas. Celebrate Christ!
Do you ever find yourself wondering at Christmastime, “What’s it all about?” Why do I go through all of this? Why do I brave the insane crowds at the mall, or the traffic on the streets? Your schedule is so busy that there is little time to enjoy the season. There are concerts and parties and gatherings galore. Is it really worth it? I want to affirm that there is something worth celebrating during this season. There is more to it than decorations and presents and trees. There’s certainly more than egg nog or fruitcake (that stuff is disgusting). And there is way more than Santa and … [Read more...] about Don’t Celebrate Christmas. Celebrate Christ!
A Personal Conviction: Pastors Should Not Make Salary Demands!
I got my first paycheck from a church in 1980, and have been receiving them on a regular basis ever since. I served as a youth pastor for five years in Tequesta, Florida, as a pastor for 4 years in Drakes Branch, Virginia, and am approaching my 20th year of ministry in Iowa - over 14 in Cedar Rapids and the last 5+ years in Sioux City. Since I left the lawn care company I worked for Ft. Worth (the "Lawn Rangers" - "fighting for lawn order around the Metroplex") we have derived our living from our ministry at these four churches. In all that time, I have never negotiated my salary with … [Read more...] about A Personal Conviction: Pastors Should Not Make Salary Demands!
Brick Walls, Picket Fences (5): Who is God? Who Are We?
There seems to be a continuing misunderstanding of what it means to build a “Brick Wall.” I have tried to define it in these posts, but I am aware that it is not likely that people are reading every word in this lengthy series. The purpose of a Brick Wall is not to separate Christians from the lost! Jesus never separated himself from the lost and we cannot either. We are must engage the sinful world if we hope to show the love of Jesus Christ to them. The Brick Wall of separation is not meant to divide us from those who need Christ. But we must separate ourselves from the false … [Read more...] about Brick Walls, Picket Fences (5): Who is God? Who Are We?
Denial Really is a River
The view from the banks doesn’t tell us how deep Is the beautiful river that flows. As the babbling sound of the water that speeds Calls out to our landlocked souls. We hold fast on the shore, skipping rocks in the swells As the sun’s light repaints the deep blue And the water moves on carrying with it the hope Of a life we so want to renew. A life spent on dry land, with a river in sight A life thirsty and wanting for more We keep longingly searching as day fades to night And the river's voice grows to a roar. We will know where it goes when we take the first step Leaving shoes … [Read more...] about Denial Really is a River
“Happy Holidays” from SBC Voices
From the SBC Voices Team! Do I make the "Grinch Alert" Naughty List now? If someone would add me to that list, it would make my day! (For the record, proper permission was neither sought by the editor, nor granted by the unfortunates who write for SBC Voices. Isn't there a Bible verse that says "its easier to get forgiveness than permission"?) (FYI - in addition to my own mug, the pictures are of Matt Svoboda, SelahV, Howell Scott and Mike Bergman - all illegally obtained - Howell's a lawyer, too. I could be in trouble) (FYI part 2 - I know there are some who are grieved that … [Read more...] about “Happy Holidays” from SBC Voices