Ever watched a spoiled child in action? No matter how much his parents give him, he throws tantrums at the slightest deprivation. She believes that it is her natural right to get everything she wants and will let you know it if you do not please her. There are few things more annoying in life than a spoiled child. Sometimes, I wonder if we are God's spoiled children. He is so good to us in every way. He sent his only Son to live the righteous life we could not and die for our sins. He gives us the Holy Spirit to indwell us, to conform us to the image of Christ and to empower us to do … [Read more...] about Are We God’s Spoiled Children? The Secret to Thanksgiving
MY SHEEP WILL HEAR MY VOICE
"I had a neat story that happened today," my friend wrote in her email. First of all, it is not uncommon for my friend to have a story to tell me. Something is always happening in her life. I think it goes along with a person who yearns to walk in a very real way with Jesus. Rarely does she email that she doesn't have something similar to the story below to relate. I find her one of the most refreshing friends I have...I digress. "I was in the check out line at Wal-Mart," she continued, "and it was one of those days where they didn't have enough checkers (happens a lot here), and all … [Read more...] about MY SHEEP WILL HEAR MY VOICE
Hallelujah—Jesus is My Life, a devotion on Philippians
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… Philippians 1:21 It’s hard to read a letter like Philippians and not envision the passionate pleadings of Paul to anyone who will listen. Everything that happens in life—all the pain and agony, all the joys and happiness, all the loss and gain, all the good and bad—everything is for a purpose. It all has a rhyme and reason. Sometimes we are able to see it clearly, other times we catch but a glimpse from the periphery, and still there are times where we don’t see it all. Yet it is there, that one singular reason, that one great hope beyond … [Read more...] about Hallelujah—Jesus is My Life, a devotion on Philippians
A Week of Thanksgiving at SBC Voices
We debate a broad range of topics here at SBC Voices. But starting Monday, and lasting through Thanksgiving, we are going to focus on praising God and giving thanks to him at this blog. Many of our regular contributors are producing devotional posts which will lead us in giving thanks to God. I do not plan to close the discussion streams on other posts, so you can keep hammering on whatever you feel like hammering on. And if something major comes up, these are more like guidelines than they are actual rules. But I thought it would be good for a few days to tone down the argument and to … [Read more...] about A Week of Thanksgiving at SBC Voices
Perverting Biblical Faith into Magical Religion
(I published this Monday over at sbcIMPACT. This is a subject I feel passionate about, so I decided to repost it here, for anyone who wanders by over the weekend.) Christians put their faith in a powerful, living God who works in and among his people in grace and strength. When we submit to him as Lord and seek his glory, his presence and power work among his people. Magic is the manipulation of spiritual forces to gain personal advantage – prosperity, fertility, forgiveness. They are not the same, but I think too many Christians treat their faith as just another form of magic – a … [Read more...] about Perverting Biblical Faith into Magical Religion
In the Image of God: Male and Female in Genesis 1:16-28
The New Testament has what appear to be some pretty direct and decisive words about the roles of men and women at home and in the church. In fact, those words can be downright shocking to our modern sensibilities. In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul makes what seems to be a pretty clear statement about the role of women in the ministry of the church, one that does not sit well with many today. “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” The words seem to be pretty clear. Paul says that women should not teach men the truths of scripture or … [Read more...] about In the Image of God: Male and Female in Genesis 1:16-28
Tell Us about Your State Convention Meeting
I didn't get to go to the Baptist Convention of Iowa meeting this year. My daughter is a senior and had the lead in the school play, which performed that weekend (yes, I'm bragging!). The school play trumped the state convention this year. Its the first time in many years that they carried on at the BCI without me. I hear they did just fine. So, did you go your state convention meeting? SBC Voices readers are from all over the country (and a few internationals mixed in). I'm interested in knowing your perspective on what went on at your state convention. Any significant motions … [Read more...] about Tell Us about Your State Convention Meeting
Ed Stetzer’s Advice: Resist (Politely) the TSA Searches
Ed Stetzer has written a passionate plea to resist the full-body scans and the invasive pat-downs that the TSA is now demanding for those who fly. Here is the link. Read it. He makes a lot of sense. He gives four reasons why the searches are wrong. He also makes three suggestions for action. We should, if possible, not fly and then tell the airlines that the TSA searches are the reason. We should opt out of the full-body scans if you must fly. You will then be "patted down" in the most personal way, but he suggests this is better than the virtual naked pictures of what he … [Read more...] about Ed Stetzer’s Advice: Resist (Politely) the TSA Searches
Radically Redefining Transparency in the SBC: Part 1
Containing updates and revisions to interact with Dave Miller's recent post, "Combating the Culture of Secrecy in the SBC: Trust the People!" this post was originally published at FromLaw2Grace on July 16, 2010. "Component Two: Making Our Values Transparent: We must also work toward the creation of a new and healthy culture within the Southern Baptist Convention. If we are to grow together and work together in faithfulness to the command of Christ, we must establish a culture of trust, transparency, and truth among all Southern Baptists. . . ." (Quoted from Penetrating The Lostness: … [Read more...] about Radically Redefining Transparency in the SBC: Part 1
Quick Baptism, Slow Discipleship
There’s been some talk recently about some churches practicing “spontaneous baptisms” as a part of their services. Without getting into the validity of that specific practice, the largest complaint seems to be that quick baptisms like that downplay the significance of baptism and church membership. On the other hand, there are churches that require a person to jump through various hoops of lengthy classes and pastoral interviews before even allowing for baptism. After all, baptism is a first step of church membership, and to have a regenerate church membership you have to make sure the … [Read more...] about Quick Baptism, Slow Discipleship