By Carolyn Tomlin
Contributing Writer, B&R

The third Sunday in June is the day set aside to honor our fathers — a day that pays tribute to our earthly father. For many people, the man who comes to mind is a grandfather, foster parent, adopted dad, a teacher, or Sunday School leader.

On this day, as all other days, it is important to recognize the contribution our dads made to our families, our communities, and our churches. By observing this day, children have an opportunity to show love and respect to their fathers. Honoring our dads strengthens the bond between the child and father that in turn supports the emotional growth of the child. [Read more…]

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director

It wasn’t too long ago that the idea of hockey catching on in the South was laughable. Well, nobody is laughing now. The hysteria surrounding the Nashville Predators has boiled beyond Middle Tennessee and it’s been interesting to hear comments and see Facebook posts from around the state supporting the Preds. No question about it; Nashville is definitely a hockey town.

There wasn’t an abundance of hockey to watch growing up on the Alabama Gulf Coast so needless to say; hockey really wasn’t on my radar until a few years ago when Jeanne and I were given tickets to attend a Predators game. We knew zilch, nada, nothing about the game, but we had a blast. The energy, excitement and the quickness were amazing. And the way those guys cross checked each other; I cringed with every hit. I was a little concerned by how much my sweet, godly wife loved hockey! Needless to say, we’ve been Preds fans ever since.  [Read more…]

By David Evans
TBMB Evangelism Specialist

A problem exists within cultural Christianity that pertains to the steps of the Christian faith. If a child is raised in a Christian home, sometimes that child is raised as a “Christian.” The child acts, thinks, and talks like a Christian without having to make any type of surrender in their life. The reflection of Christianity goes as far as to make sure the child makes a verbal profession of Christ and is baptized. Parents are gratified by such actions. It is good to note at this point that it is a good thing to train a child in a way that the child should go (Proverbs 22:6), but we most often overlook the reasons why the child has followed through with such decisions. 

The problem of self-identifying with Christianity without total surrender to the faith is that you move in a Christian-like manner without being a Christian. A time exists in a child’s life that full surrender to the faith, that parents have modeled and taught, must occur. The time to live, adopt, and surrender to personal faith occurs in everyone’s life. I was in college when I came to this realization.  [Read more…]

By Johnnie Godwin
Contributing Columnist, B&R

A margin is a boundary, a border, or an edge. To be in the margin in printing or in life means to be close to the limit of value or usefulness — to be of minor effect or importance. In society — since 1970 — to be marginalized refers to a person, group, or thing treated as unimportant, powerless, less desirable, insignificant, or peripheral. To marginalize people may mean to exclude or ignore them by isolating them or leaving them on the fringes of society.  [Read more…]

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Connie Davis Bushey

“All good things must come to an end.” That sounds like the kind of “consolation” my tough-minded, unsentimental, plain-spoken mother, Emeline Glessner Davis, would give me and my two sisters in times of disappointment.

Helping my mom raise us were members of First Baptist Church, El Reno, Okla., many of whom were just as tough-minded. They left an indelible impression on me. So when I was drawn to study journalism at the University of Oklahoma, I prayed that I would be allowed to serve Baptists.  [Read more…]