Convention Moments: Worst Personal Moment

Unfortunately, times of reflection bring up the bad as well as the good. As I reflect on our time at the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and Annual Meeting, there is one moment that I regret.As my wife and I walked from the parking lot into the Expo Center on Tuesday morning, we were confronted by a man on the sidewalk who...

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Tuesday Mornings with Augustine

2 Corinthians 4:16Perfect HolinessWe are renewed day by day by making progress in our righteousness and true holiness through the knowledge of God. For those who do so transfer their love from temporal things to eternal things, from visible things to invisible things, from fleshly thing to spiritual things.They do this in proportion to their...

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Convention Moments: Best Personal Moment

After a few days to reflect on the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and Annual Meeting, in addition to all the great messages, informative reports and important business, certain key moments have come to mind. I will share those over the next few days.Despite the fact that the week’s schedule was extremely full and we tried...

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Back on Track!

After a month off, my theological blog called Deep Riches is back on track! Over the next few Mondays, I will be posting a brief series of simple polemics arguing for the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, infallable Word of God. Check it out over on Deep Riches. You can also access it from the sidebar to the right of this posti...

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Arguing for the Bible as the Inspired, Inerrant, Infallible Word of God

There are three primary lines of argument I use to support the fact the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God. The nature of the Bible itself, the miraculous collection and preservation of the books, and the character and nature of God provide ample apologetic evidence for the seeker. Over the next few weeks, I will post...

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Martyrs Monday

Romans 15:19Sabina Wurmbrand reached over and pinched her husband’s arm. “Richard,” she said fiercely, “stand up and wash away this shame from the face of Christ. They are spitting on his face!”“If I do so,” Richard Wurmbrand answered, looking intently at his wife, “you will lose your husband.”Her eyes bore into his. “I don’t want a coward...

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Convention Lowlight

Yesterday I began with the good. Today I must reflect on the bad and the ugly.Let me start by saying that I have a tremendous respect for Dr. Morris Chapman. He currently serves as the President of the SBC Executive Committee. Some would say that his is the most powerful position in our convention—if not a close second to the elected President....

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Slacker No More... At Least for Today

After being a slacker for several weeks, I have finally updated the Amazon.com book widgets in the sidebar. For the first time in a while, “What I’m Reading Right Now” is actually what I’m really reading right now. I’m no Oprah, but you still might want to check out my “Book-o-the-Month” recommendations.Maybe—just maybe—I might be able to...

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Spurgeon Saturday

Exodus 8:28This is a crafty word from the lip of the arch-tyrant Pharaoh. If the poor bondaged Israelites must needs go out of Egypt, then he bargains with them that it shall not be very far away; not too far for them to escape the terror of his arms, and the observation of his spies. After the same fashion, the world loves not the non-conformity...

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Convention Highlight

I have wrestled with whether to begin with the good, the bad or the ugly from the SBC Pastor’s Conference and Annual Meeting. Today is a happy day, so I think I’ll begin with the good. I’ll deal with the other things in later postings.For me, the highlight of the convention is getting to hear from preachers with whom I am unfamiliar. This...

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This One Thing...

Late last night, my wife and I arrived home from the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and Annual Meeting. We were both dragging, as the Convention capped off an exhausting couple of weeks for us. It’s good to be home.This year’s Convention continued the recent downward trend in attendance. The last messenger count I heard was...

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Edwards Wednesday

Proverbs 12:26The Saints’ GloryThe image of God is the saints’ glory, and it may well be called glory, for imperfect as it is, it renders them glorious in the eyes of the angels of heaven. The image of God is a greater beauty in their eyes than the brightness and glory of the sun in the firmament.Indeed the saints have no excellency, as they...

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Tuesday Mornings with Augustine

Leviticus 19:18No RevengeYou have heard an insult, like the wind. You are angry, like a wave. When the wind blows, and the wave swells, the ship is then endangered, the heart is in jeopardy, and the heart is tossed back and forth. When you were insulted, you longed for revenge. But if you have been avenged and so rejoice in the person’s pain,...

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Martyrs Monday

Job 42:2The evangelist, Andrew, stared into the gun, wondering why the man didn’t fire. The assassin grew frustrated, then frightened, and finally he fled from the room.The phone rang, and Andrew found himself talking to the man who had come to kill him minutes earlier.“The Muslim leaders offered me a big reward to kill you,” the would-be...

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Go West Young Man!

This morning, my wife and I are heading to Louisville to attend this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and Annual Meeting. According to the blogosphere, I guess that means I am a rare breed—a 41-year old pastor who actually enjoys going to the Annual Meeting. The business sessions can be long, and I anticipate some contention...

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Boomerang Express VBS Video Wrapup

This was quite possibly one of the best Vacation Bible Schools I have ever been part of. Of course, I think I say that every year! The Lord blessed us with good numbers (159 registered), good response (3 professions of faith) and a wonderful spirit. Here's a video of some of the highlights of the week.Now to start getting ready for our Youth VBS and rally this fall!Don’t forget about our VBS Program and Family Fun Night this Sunday...

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Spurgeon Saturday

Amos 9:9Every sifting comes by divine command and permission. Satan must ask leave before he can lay a finger upon Job. Nay, more, in some sense our siftings are directly the work of heaven, for the text says, “I will sift the house of Israel.” Satan, like a drudge, may hold the sieve, hoping to destroy the corn; but the overruling hand of...

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Last Stop on the Boomerang Express!

Tonight is the last stop for the Boomerang Express at Brushfork Baptist Church. At last count, the Lord has blessed us with 154 (total) this year.Last night, I joked with many of the workers about Thursday night being “mush brain” night. There were a few walking zombie moments, but we were still excited and enthusiastic. The kids have been...

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The Boomerang Express Rolls On

Vacation Bible School night #2 went well! I didn’t get the final tally, but at last check the totals were similar to Monday’s. The activities went off without a hitch and the children seemed to be loosening up a bit. They always seem to be more reserved at the beginning of the week, but really begin to come out of their shells around Wednesday!It...

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Edwards Wednesday

Luke 16:24God’s Fiery JudgmentsWhen sinners hear of hell torments, they sometimes think with themselves, “Well, if it shall come to that, that I must go to hell, I will bear it as well as I can,” as if by clothing themselves with resolution and firmness of mind, they would be able to support themselves in some measure; when, alas! they will...

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Y-E-S to V-B-S!!!

Last night was our first night of Vacation Bible School. Praise God—WE SURVIVED! Not only did we survive, the Lord blessed us with a wonderful evening. I was apprehensive about attendance due to the fact that several area churches are holding theirs at the same time as ours this year. This is also the first year we are having our Youth VBS...

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Tuesday Mornings with Augustine

1 Peter 5:8Satan’s TricksWe must use all our discernment when Satan acts as an angel of light. For by his trickery, he could lead us into harm’s way. But while he only deceives our physical senses, he doesn’t distort our minds. He can’t pervert the pure judgment that enables us to lead a life of faith. Therefore, our religion isn’t in danger.If,...

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Martyrs Monday

Philippians 1:6Pastor Norbu Promila was pleased with the service as he preached to the tribal people in the mountains of Bhutan. Those gathered seemed especially attentive and open to the Good News. Then in the middle of the sermon, police rushed in through every door, stormed the stage, and forcibly grabbed Norbu.Pastor Promila was thrown...

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Spurgeon Saturday

Revelation 22:17Jesus says, “take freely.” He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from our virtuous emotions. If you have no good feelings, if you be but willing, you are invited; therefore come! You have no belief and no repentance,—come to him, and he will give them to you. Come just as you are, and take “Freely,”...

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VBS '09 - Boomerang Express!

I know that I have been slack in posting for the past couple of weeks. Things have been busier than usual (which is saying a lot)!This week’s schedule is full of Vacation Bible School preparation. Every year, Vacation Bible School is one of the highlights of our church calendar. As with many churches, it is one of our biggest outreach opportunities...

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Edwards Wednesday

Hosea 10:12Boldness to PersevereIn these days, men are with difficulty brought to do or submit to that which makes them the objects of the reproach of all their neighbors. Indeed if while some reproach them, others stand by them and honor them, this will support them. But it is very difficult for a man to go on in a way wherein he makes himself...

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Tuesday Mornings with Augustine

Psalm 103:2-3Finding Forgiveness“What shall I render unto the Lord,” that while I remember these things my soul isn’t appalled at them? I will love You, Lord, thank You, and confess my sins to Your name. You have wiped out my wicked and sinful acts. Because of Your grace and mercy, You have melted away my sin as though it were ice. Whatever...

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Martyrs Monday

Philippians 1:21It was almost midnight as the women prisoners heard the Communist guards arrive. They quickly gathered around the condemned, a young woman of twenty who had been sentenced to die for her faith in Christ. They whispered hurried good-byes. There were no tears from the young Romanian woman, no screams for mercy.Earlier that evening,...

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Spurgeon Saturday

Job 40:4One cheering word, poor lost sinner, for thee! You think you must not come to God because you are vile. Now, there is not a saint living on earth but has been made to feel that he is vile. If Job, and Isaiah, and Paul were all obliged to say “I am vile,” oh, poor sinner, wilt thou be ashamed to join in the same confession? If divine...

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God-Appointed Prayer for Revival

There is never such a thing as revival that does not start with prayer. God had worked in Jonah’s heart to bring him to a place of confession and preparation for ministry, evidenced by his heartfelt prayer (Jonah 2:1–9). Whenever you see revival in history, you see that it always comes out of prayer. The great revival under Jonathan Edwards...

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Edwards Wednesday

Romans 9:15Divine LibertyGod can, without prejudice to the glory of any of his attributes, bestow salvation on any of the children of men, except on those who have committed the sin against the Holy Ghost. The case was thus when man fell, and before God revealed his eternal purpose and plan for redeeming men by Jesus Christ.It was probably...

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Tuesday Mornings with Augustine

Isaiah 42:16Turn to GodGod doesn’t help us carry out sin, but without His help, we can’t do what is right or fulfill every part of the law of righteousness. Just as light doesn’t help us shut or avert our eyes, it helps us to see. In fact, the eye can’t see at all unless the light helps it. In the same way, the light of our souls helps our...

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Martyrs Monday

1 Thessalonians 5:17The brass shackle is called, in Arabic, a bacle. Peter held it out as if it were a sacred object. It was a reminder of his family’s past and of Peter’s great blessing.His grandfather had made the bacle, but it was not a craft project. In fact, he was forced to wear it by his Islamic masters. Peter’s grandfather had been...

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