Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Does Your Church Measure Success Like Jesus Did?
Jesus had a tendency to turn people away. Not just every now and then, but with great consistency. In Matthew Jesus arrives at his hometown synagogue, the church in which he was raised, and the text says "they took...
Confusion Reveals Church’s Struggle on Sexual Orientation Issues
Best-selling author and megachurch Pastor Rick Warren is in a bit of a jam. First, while appearing on Larry King Live on April 7, he firmly denied any public statements endorsing Proposition 8 in the 2008 election on...
I am the Resurrection and the Life
Sermon delivered by Joel Snider, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rome, G.A., on Apr. 12 2009. John 11: 17-27. The most observant of you will notice that when we read the scripture from John 11 that it is not an...
Welcome Spring!
Bill Prather, pastor of the American Baptist Church in Fort Collins, Colo., sent me this delightful photo. When photographers talk about "contrast" they are usually referring to the image's quality rather than content....
This is Our God
Sermon delivered by Randy Hyde, pastor of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church in Little Rock, A.R., on Apr. 12 2009. Isaiah 25:6-9; John 20:1-18. You are sitting in a movie theater. You’ve got your...
In Search of Life in Dead Places
This sermon was delivered by Darryl Roberts, assistant to the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, at McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Ga., on April 14, 2009. Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the...
Obama Abroad Communicates America’s Best Traditions, not Political Correctness
No one thought that electing Barack Obama president meant that our country had entirely kicked its intolerance habit. But at least now we have proof that bigotry is alive and well. When President Obama claimed in...
Missouri Shouldn’t Balance Budget on Backs of Poor
All major faith traditions have at their hearts a concern for the poor and vulnerable. The Hebrew prophet Isaiah makes feeding the poor the prerequisite for the nation's revival (Isaiah 58). Jesus says that caring for...
When Science vs. Theology, No Truth Contradicts God
A recent letter in the News-Sentinel caught my attention. It was written in response to a previous letter, which may well have been written in response to a previous letter, which could very well have been written in...
The steam also rises
An apology for the coming rant: all my high-minded blog ideas have gone out the door with our idiot dog, who just ate a pen. A Pilot Precise V5 rolling ball pen, to be precise, my wife's favorite kind. A nice plastic...
Warren Must Decide the Purpose of His Life Before Speaking Publicly About His Flip-Flop on Proposition 8
Rick Warren has a pattern of political activism followed by political denial of activism. But this time—on Proposition 8—Warren has been caught on videotape voicing contradictory positions, supporting an anti-gay...
Economy Becomes Smoke Screen for Immigration Inaction
President Obama has bravely announced that he will push comprehensive immigration reform this year. He is fulfilling a campaign promise, and he is doing the right thing. Opponents of the move are already upset about...
G20 Summit Made Some Progress on Financial Front
On the Saturday before the G20 summit, an estimated 35,000 people marched through London to voice their demands to world leaders. I joined in and participated in the ecumenical service that preceded the march. But it...
The Rebirth of Hope
Sermon delivered by Bob Browning, pastor of Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, G.A., on Apr. 12 2009. Mark 16: 1-8. Today is Easter and you know what that means. It is time for family, food, faith and fear....
Whales in Tennessee
A walking trail winds its way through Fairfield Glade, a scenic vacation spot in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee west of Knoxville. A meandering stream brings beauty to both the eyes and the ears.After passing...
When Times are Tough, Scale Back to the Essentials
My wife and I went shopping recently to buy laundry soap among other things. As probably everyone does, we went to the same supermarket and walked down the same aisle that we have been shopping now for a long time....
G20’s Solutions Don’t Solve Greed-Driven Global Crisis
On the Saturday before the G20 summit, tens of thousands of us marched through London calling for action to protect and restore jobs, tackle global poverty, and maintain a habitable climate for all humanity. The Sunday...
Different Cultural Expressions Don’t Change Christianity
On Easter Sunday 1967, I worshiped at the Calvary Baptist Church in Bangkok, Thailand. The worship was typically Southern Baptist in design. The church was a beautiful colonial structure that would have fit in the...
What Now?
Sermon delivered by Keith Herron, pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, M.O., on April 12, 2009. Mark 16: 1-8 Here’s an Easter thought to ponder: Without Easter morning’s resurrection and the subsequent...
A Real Jesus
Sermon delivered by Heather Entrekin, pastor of Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie Village, K.S., on Apr. 12 2009. John 20:1-18 It is one grand occasion when we gather to celebrate Easter Sunday. This is the day we...
A Loaf of Bread
Sermon delivered by Heather Entrekin, pastor of Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie Village, K.S., on Apr. 9 2009. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Way back when I was a young adult, I bought an unpretentious little paper back...