Tag: pastor's note
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Identifying Sinful Fears, Pt. 2: The Fear of Creation
Matthew’s Gospel challenges our assumptions about fearfulness. After a long day of ministry, Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee. Weary from the day, our Lord fell asleep in the boat’s bow. Then, a violent storm battered and threatened to destroy the vessel and its occupants. The disciples panicked, but Jesus remained asleep.…
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The Sanger Gospel, Part 2
One of the most troubling economic indicators for our country is the declining birth rate. A nation built on two-worker households cannot survive if those workers do not replace themselves. And, we are not. I shared this with my physical therapist in South Carolina many years ago. His response was, “The more troubling thing is…
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The Sanger Gospel, Part 1
To measure the level of sadness and despair in individual families, count their children. The more they have, the greater their misery. To achieve happiness, both for your family and society at large, keep your family small. Such was the perspective Margaret Higgins Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, adopted early in her childhood. Sanger grew…
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Compassionate Orthodoxy
Not long ago, I rolled up to the church and found an unfamiliar vehicle parked in the lot. I strolled over to assess the situation and struck up a conversation with the driver. After a moment, I could tell he was in some distress. Against my better judgment, I invited him into my office to…
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Man, Woman, Garden
Well, it’s June, and that means it is Pride Month. For the next 30 days, your social media stream may be much more colorful than usual. I suggest you take this as an opportunity to reconsider the Bible’s teaching on gender, marriage, and sexuality. As Christians, our response to the dogmatic assertions made by the…
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Can the SBC hold sex abusers accountable?
We will be talking about the recently released report detailing sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention for some time to come. In nearly 400-pages of detailed reporting, Guidestone Solutions, an independent investigating firm, demonstrated corruption at high levels within the SBC. What I’ve read so far is heartbreaking because of the stain this activity…
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Jehovah Hears and Remembers
If you had to grade sins, what would be worse – murder and adultery or breaking a vow? Most of us would say that murder and adultery are worse sins than breaking a vow. Scripture, however, requires us to view a broken vow as a severe sin in God’s eyes. In 2 Samuel 21, God…
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Beaten Back
Introduction In this article, we consider briefly whether incarceration or public judicial corporal punishment offers a more humane treatment of criminal offenders. Though the idea of public caning, or some alternative of the practice, stirs a visceral reaction in many, we should note the practice is rooted both in Scripture and world history. I base…
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A Word to Graduates
Dear high school graduate, allow me a moment to speak to you as a father – a Christian father. This moment in your life seems extraordinary. A high school diploma is like the stamp of approval you are ready for adulthood. You’ve completed a course of study and are now prepared to make your mark…
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Rocky Mountain Lie
“No matter what the Supreme Court does in the future, people in Colorado will be able to choose when and if they have children.” This is a quote from Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado. Does Governor Polis know something we do not? Is the Supreme Court of the United States preparing to force citizens to…
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Just Plain Vows
I do not favor custom marriage vows, and I think ministers everywhere should discourage them. Instead, I believe there is something to be said for out-of-the-box, boilerplate vows recited by every couple. It may seem like a small thing to have an opinion about, but this is something I’d like you to give some thought…
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Can Christ Restore?
Last week, candidate for President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Willy Rice, announced he is no longer vying for the role. Reverend Rice has been pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, FL, since 2004. Controversy arose around his candidacy for the top position in the SBC echelon when someone publicized his church ordained a man…
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